The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-10
MYSTERIES OF THE NIGHT
BY
EDG AR PIC ERIN

SihSe We Sd" edCH Otner, anu ne tooh Jul
his purse.
1T isn't money 1 want" she replied.
pointing to the purse scornfully. 1T is that
you'll keep the promise you swore to me.
You remember it?'
There were a thousand wild thoughts In
his mind, but he kept his calmness well.
word from Madge Forrest and all his plans
would be destroyed; her very presence was
danger to him.
Eyes, L remember" he answered, land
I'll keep my word. 1--WE been abroad and
have only just returned. That is the reason
why we haven't seen each other lately"
He was considering how best this unex-
pected peril could be overcome, and the
woman waited for him to speak again.
Il am going to a place in Shropshire to-
night" he told her. ''I have urgent bust
ness calling me. 1 will see you there,
Madge. You must come when you hear
from me, which shall be I'm three days You
quite understand"
Eyes: 1 understand"
Take this money for your travelling ex-
penses." he continued. handing her a bank
note. land here is the place you must come
to. I will meet YOU" He scrawled the
name hastily. putting the paper in her hand
And you will fulfill your promise, Rich
ard9' she answered, pleadingly. For the
love you vowed-for the sake of the love
/ have for you."
81 swear TO you that I'll carry out my
purpose" he replied. What more can I
say? But L cannot stay with you any
longer. We shall meet again In three days."
and he held out his hand
He turned, striding away, trying vainly
some unknown danger threatening him. He
would not wait another hour in London
where others than the woman to whom
the solemn vow of marriage had been
plighted year ago. might recognize him.
But he would be safe in his own house in
Shropshire, and there would be time to
think out his plans.
1t was late when he arrived at Newport.
and in the solitary coffee room of the hotel
where he put up for the night. Morland
sat deep in thought. He was safe now:
perfect stranger to everyone in the quiet
little town. The district was strange to
him. too. for he had never been in Shrop-
| shire before and after breakfast next
morning he strolled out into the country,
walking deep in thought; so engrossed,
| indeed that all except the meeting with
the woman who loved him was forgotten.
Presently his footsteps led him through
| the broad silent street of little village;
beyond stretched gaunt. bare fields. across
| which wound canal, and beside 1t rose a
| tall chimney shaft from some indistinct
buildings. Approaching these, the dull
| thud of steam engine came amid the
| silence.
He was standing beside the engine room
looking around curiously. for it was his first
| sight of coal pit. Then a man had joined
him, and Morland was speaking.
"Three hundred yards deep. you say?"
More, perhaps" replied the man.
There's plenty deeper over yon." and he
pointed with a black hand. Maybe you'd
| like to look down Z shaft, mister?''
They went to the yawning mouth, from
| which came the rumble of a descending
cage. mot much chance for any one who
| might fall down there" remarked Morland.
"'Tis three hundred yard, 1 tell 'ee," re-
| torted the man. They'd talk no more, that
| went headlong down Z shaft. reckon"
Morland put shilling in the mans grimy
palm and moved away.
TT is fairly lonely here at night, sup
poser" he asked.
| There's naught but me about { place,
come dark" replied the man. "T' night
shift has been done away with o. late It's
lonely enough, as you say. mister. Not a
| living soul nearer than q mile except me In
| t engine house, and / never stir out Of 1t
| then"
They'd talk who fell down
| there"
| The words were repeating themselves over
and over again in Morland's mind as he
walked away from the pit. Madge For
rests voice would be stilled forever if
| His thoughts refused to complete the SEN
tence. but he knew what his purpose was
now. and began hungering for the tardy
time to pass before the woman who loved
and trusted him should come.
| A still dark night, and standing on the
| platform Morland waited for his visitor
| There was a glad smile in her eyes as
| Madge Forrest walked away from the sta
| ton beside MIN, and his manner encour~
| aged her.
| We've three miles walk. Madge." he
| said. You don't mind? / couldn't get
| conveyance
Talking quietly they came at last to where
the canal was crossed by a narrow bridge,
| and on the right of this lay the dark mass
4 VI WV NVhiSAy cummings tONdlu WllCu NUT
/ land led her.
Come this way" he whispered. tighten
| ing his hold on the slim hand which had
been resting on his arm. Its a strange
sight for Londoner, this coal pitt
The desolate scene lay still as death as
| they went together across the uneven
ground. Then they were standing at the
pit mouth and Madge drew back, shud-
| dering.
"Come away. Dick" she said. trying to
| release her hand. Come AWAY I'm
| Observation-Disclosures Gods sake. let
| me CO."
| His arms had been flung around her. and
| his breath came hot on her face as she
| struggled with him. And as nearer and
nearer to the yawning abyss they came.
| a horrible fear gave her such strength that.
powerful man as he was. he could not over
master her-yet
Closer and closer. and her cry for help
| sang out through the stiffness. Help,
| help!' went the wailing shrek, as he drag
| ged her TO her death
He lifted his clenched hand striking
her, and she dropped under the cruel blow.
but her grasp on him had not loosened.
| They were within foot of the shaft now,