Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-12-31
THE TWO 5
MINUTE {
EHSE BY
~S~ WilliArD I?
Wallace Cook {
Copyright. 1901. by w. w. Cook.

y Copyright. isOl. by W. W. Cook. d
c-o.o.o.o.o.oc-o-o.o.o.o-d
Andy end Blakesly had settled II be-
tween them that the Dutchman was a
thief. Andy had missed a silver watch.
Higgins pOcketbOOk with So In II and
Baker a nugget valued at $50 which
he had kept in his trunk.
Andy had wakened out Of a sound
sleep a few nights before and had
seen Fritz skulking through the bunk
house When Andy failed to find his
watch next morning, there was but one
inference for him to draw.
There in the end Of the drift" he
and Blakesly figured the matter all out.
In the afternoon Fritz was not only to
be discharged, but also to see the in
side Of the Phenix Jail.
Blakesly sat refiectively on the han
die Of his wheelbarrow. Andy threw
down his drill, mwound a two minute
length Of fuse from the coil, scraped
the end and slipped on cap He
pushed the cap down into the hole and
followed it with two sticks Of dyna-
mite, gently ramming them home and
MINIS w tue uoie Win 0uSI-
Great Scottr' exclaimed Blakesly.
You're putting In n charge for your
life, Andy"
''I'm going to blow out this horse and
uncover the vein," returned the fore
man, ''if II takes n leg" Just then a
burst of childish laughter echoed 10
them. 'Is that AllieY' he asked.
Allie was his daughter. a motherless,
sunny faced child. who had been the
especial protege OF Mrs. Hurst. the
keeper of the boarding house. ever
since her father had brought her TO the
PaetOlus mine. Occasionally Allie was
allowed 20 come down into the work
ings, which was always n treat for her.
She was a prime favorite, and every
one Of the miners would have guarded
her as the apple OF his eye.
cit must be Allie" said Blakesly,
getting up and starting or.
At that precise minute the noon whis-
tie OF the stamp mill sounded.
Take Allie up with you" Andy
called after Blakesly
IAN right" returned Blakesly. halt
ing at the shaft
The ladder was filled with climbing
miners. Fritz at the lower end OF the
row.
where's Allie. Fritz" asked Blakes-
ly.
"She vas gone oop alretty." answered
Fritz. looking down.
"Sure about that2"
"Yah. sure. Kingman carried her
Oudt seen him meinself"
All the miners Of the day shift ex-
cept Kingman and Andy were now on
the ladder. Blakesly was satisfied and
started nimbly up the greasy rungs.
The foreman removed his tools to a
place of safety. applied the fame OF
his candle 10 the end of the fuse,
watched the fuse splutter foR a mo-
ment and then made his way TO the
ladder and started for the surface him
self.
Where's Allie7" asked Andy. spring
ing out Of the shaft and hurrying after
Blakesly.
"She came up with Kingman," re-
piled Blskesly.
who told you?"
Fritz"
The miners were struggling out, sin
gly and in couples, on their way to
the boarding house. Kingman was in
the lead. walking alone. Fritz was
just ahead OF the foreman and Blakes-
ly.
''Hello. Kingmang shouted Andy.
where's Allie?"
Kingman turned.
Didn't she come up with your he
asked
Every miner in the Struggling line
came TO an abrupt halt The very
thought that Allie might still be below
with a fuse lighted and leaping closer
and closer to a terrific charge Of dyna-
mite was sufficient to set every heart
to pounding. There were other charges
In the level. too. but they were light
compared with the one in the breast OF
the tunnel.
Andy went white in a second.
You Internal villaing' he roared,
springIng upon Fritz and gripping him
by the throat
Fritz tore himself loose and ran fran
tcaly back to the shaft.
AAAhbHdh NSAl past QcT Slope NllI
Allie on his sboulter." he flung at them
as he raced.
Il did" cried Kingman. joining the
rest as they fiOcked excitedly after
Fritz. .'but she said she'd rather come
up with her father, SO | lowered her
down the ladder again. Didn't you see
her, Andy?"
"Oh. my God!" gasped the foreman
and threw his hands to his face.
How many holes were IoadedT' de
manded Blakesly.
Three" said Higgins.
''All two minute fusesT
1t was a useless question, for that
was the standard length for the noon
firing
Andy staggered against the frame
work Of the ~whim." his face ashen
and his nerve completely gone. He
could do nothing.
Perhaps she's coming up" suggested
Blakesly.
Another useless remark, for Allie
could not have climbed the ladder II
she had tried. Blakesly leaped on the
platform to look down. but Fritz had
already swung the OK hide ore bucket
over the shaft. had kicked the coil of
rope into the depths and had gripped
the strands cOnvulsively.