Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-09-23
CHAPTER Xxx.


on every side Of US. that we bad to shou
at each other In order to be heard; ans
even our shouts sounded like mere whis
pers. though we were so close together
| took light from my hat, and reach
ed out of the water, looking into tbs
young masters face. II was ghastly
pale, but there was a mPrk on the TEN
pie, as Of blood put my hand upon
his heart, and discovered that it wa;
family beating
He lives still" | said: then. without
more parley, ! disengaged myself from
the rope, and proceeded 10 make it fast
20 the senseless man. As | did so, the
water almost swept me away, but l held
on TO the re TX and kept my place. When
tne rope was firmly secured under George
Redruth's armpits, / shook him sharply,
and, TO my joy, he opened hts eyes, par
italy recovering from his torpor
Then 1 touched the rope and pointed
upward. making signs that he was to
be Drawn up. He seemed scarcely to
understand; but. lifting him in my arms.
! placed him 10 position, and then tugged
three times. as a signal for the men to
haul in.
There was a momentary pause. then
the rope frightened, and the light body
began slow ly 10 ascend Still, waist-deep
in the sea, / watched it journey upward
lax and loose as a dead thing now
rasping against the damp walls, now
quivering and turning round and round,
till II passed the first platform. Far. far
above It. | saw the faint CLEAN from the
spot whore the men were gathered At
last Ii disappeared from sight. and
knew that, if life lasted. George Redruth
was saved.
Then | ciambered on the ledge beside
my uncle. who was still lying in the same
position, with his head leaning back
against the dripping wall. took his
hands in mine, aud pressed them eagerly
As did 50, / saw. to my horror. that
the breast Of his mining shirt was satur-
ater with blood. that bis face was ghnst-
II white. and that there was on his tipg
a tight stain Of red.
Are you hurt?'' I said. with my lips
close to his car
Il doubt my back be broke. A lump
o rock fell on me as | were carrying
young master here"
Gently and teuderiy, / secured the
rope around him, but he moaned with
pain as | raised him to launch him up
ward. As the rope tighteuej, be uttered
a cry Of agony. However ii was too
Fate to avoid the risk. aud it was the last
chance.
Supporting him in my arms as long
as possible. I saw him drawn upward
When his full weight fell upon the rope
his agony grew terrible. and | think he
tainted away, for he hung in the mir
Hf a MAJ 4 -
slswiy.
THE rope stood the test and he was
arawu safely up the abyss. After a long
Interval, during which | waited in sick
sning terror, with the waters thunder
ing and the rocks quaking around me.
the rope again descended. I secured 1t
under my arIn-pits. aud, giving the sig
mai. was drawn upward.
Wildly and joyfully the men surround
ed. almost kissing me in their rapture at
my temperance. looked around for
George Redruth. He had recovered from
his faiutness. they said, aud had been
helped by two of the men up TO the
mouth Of the mine. But lying ON the
platform, his head supported on Michael
Peamaur's knee. was my uncle, white
ard bleeding. like man whose time had
ctme.
knelt By his side. aud took his hand.
He looked no into my face; and | saw
that has cyes were ilmy aud dim. The
air Of the mine. even up thu re, was fetfd
aud foul. and I saw that Le br1athed
with diflcuity.
Hugh nay lad" he said, family.
Come elose-~I want to whisper to ZEE
Can yoa forgive me-"
Forgive your cried, greatly moved.
What have / e. forgiven
listen, lad, and Iiil tell 'ese'
Yes" I answered, fairly sobhiug.
Put down your head and listen. / he
dying. sure enough, and afors I die /
& ant 10 ha' your forgiveness They
would ha' hung 'ee, lad. far what did.
Twas [ that killed the oversearr'
had guessed rs much. bat when the
truth came from my uncle's own lips.
started in horror He elntchea my
hand. as II fearing that I would shguk
away.
'Twere an on account o NY Annie,
my noer little lass We met out on the
clia beyant the mine. and he said sum
mat that made ne numbering mad. He
said she were bad. aad afore had time
90 think. | struck at un wi my knife,
Then he staggered back 'twere
sai the very edge Of the ~rag =
and the earth seemed TO give way under
him. and he went o'er--sereaming-
went Ger to Il death on the rocks be-
Tow. That was how il cam about 1
didn't mean % Sill ma but 'twere done
like n dash % lightning and the next
maruing the next marnine
they found TN lying. dead aud
bloody. on the shore"
May God forgive yon"' I murmured.
@till bending over HIM
Ills eyes were fixed on vacancy. his
hands cluiched mine like vice. Sudden
~ he ieant forward. drew his hand from
NINE, and pointed.
See there he cried It's hisseIf
all bloody. and bcckoning Nj his finger
And wha be that standinl. by 'un. ali in
whiteg Annie, Annie, my lassi speak
60 father. speak to--speak ta--fatherp'
The last word died away in his throat
where il net the death rattle: there was
a struggle. last convttlsiou. and ne fell
back like | lunuE 'f lead
I think | too must have lost my senses
for q time. The next thing remember
was standing ia che open air. and stag
Ser 1g like = drunken man. With kindly
arms supporting me ON either side An
excited crowd OF women and mea sur
rounded me: and close by the dead body
If my uncle lay in the sunlight With
Annie aud my aunt bending over it and
bitterly weeping.