The Washington times., 1904-09-04

occurred, it seemed probable that the
sreat DJdy of the convicts had known
nothing o. this secret enterprise. and
had been but the dupcs and tools Of the
fe" bold spirits who we're engineering
the project
Trying TO pierce the intense dark
ness into which his lantern threw a
thread OF light. Stanley pressed eagerly
forward, instinctively sure that his
quarry could not be far away The
passage terminated abruptly IN a small
chamber Uttered with abandoned tools
at the farther side OF which stood a
man. not crouching. but facing him tear
lessly. an empty gun at his feet and a
heavy iron bar in his hand. raised in
readiness to strike.
Stanley advanced upon him. covering
him with his pistol.
Drop that crowbar, Denny, ard put
UP your handsi"
The man did not move
Don't you hear me. Hugh2" Stanley
cried. Surrender at once. ] don't
want to have to shoot you"
A slow smile crossed the convicts
face
Shoot" he said calmly. Shoot and
be damned DO you suppose he'll could
be any worse than the life I've led
for the last four years? You sent the
wrong man to preach peace and sub
mission to the miners. Mr. Stanley I
told them all you said. but 1 urged
them to hold out against you We
should have tunneIed through in an
other day. They might easilr have
OvcrpOwered you-yOU and your men
when you came down just now-but they
lost their nerve, the cowards." A mock
ing smile just touched the corners OF
his mouth Il thought perhaps I'd not
be missed In the general confusion. but
it seems I'm too important a parsonage
to be overlooked. The question now is
Cod
In the dim light of the lantern STAN
ley saw the smile suddenly die on the
convict's lips. and tie fear he had not
displayed under cover OF the loaded
weapon creep into his face. blauching it
with sudden horror. HIS eyes, wide with
terror. gazed straight beyond his cap
tor
InstinctiveIy Stanley turned and saw
not two feet from him the evil face
Of Kellard. one Of the convicts-a hide
Gus brute ser wing a life sentence for
CHASTITY crime He was creeping upon
his victim from behind, his gun dubbed
and Tft-d ready to dash out Stauley's
brains.
Before Stanley could wheel and fire.
Denny sprang past him like fash.
and with the bound of n tiger was upon
the other man.
You cursed coward" Stanley heard
him say. Don't you see the games
up? Do you want another murder on
your Conscience"
The men were we'll matched in size
and strength, and Stanley dared not
ire let he should strike his rescuer- A
brief. desperate conflict ensued. and
Denny was slowly. steadily, forcing his
opponent back against the wall, when
the report Of the convict's gun (Which
he had not dared TO fire lest he should
bring the guards down upon them, dis
charged in the struggle, tore the still
ness. and went echoing through the
corridors of the mine Denny dropped
like a log. his breast gaping with an
awful wound. and the other turned and
fed down the narrow passage
Without a thought of him. Stanley
was on his knees in an instant beside
the dying man. He lay very still. ana
his face showed CHASTITY in the dim
half light Stanley tried 30 speak Cat
his voice choked in his throat
Hugh" he whispered. Hugh, poor
fellow
A faint smile touched the conviccs
lips as he said, slowly and painfully, bur
distinctly:
"Its-aU right-Mr. Stanley kellard 5
bullet only saved you this-Td never
have been -aken-alive-'
His eyes -osed YEARLY for an instant,
but a moment later he lifted them, and
the look Stanley had seen that morning
again crossed his face.
I beIonged-to your fraternity-years
aco-at Harvard-and I'm glad-at the
last"
His head fell heavily back against
Stanley's arm.