Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-04-12

the distant exit, she heard him hewing
manfully at the rock for a couple of
hours. AT last he emerged, grimy with
dust and perspiration, just in time to
pay n last visit to Summit rock before
the sun sank to rest. He asked the
girl to delay somewhat the prepare
tons for their evening meal, as he
wished to take bath; SO it was quite
dark when they sat down to cat.
Iris had long recovered her usual
state of high spirits.
"Why were you burrowing in the
cavern again" she inquired. care you
In a hurry to get rich!'
81 was following an air shaft, not q
lode" he replied. II am occasionally
troubled with after wit, and this is an
instance. Do you remember how the
fame of the lamp ficlerel while we
were opening up our miner"
Eyes"
II was so absorbed in contemplating
our prospective wealth that 1 failed to
pay heed to the true significance of
that Incident. 1t meant the existence
OF an upward current of air. Now
where the current goes there must be
passage, and while was busy thi:
afternoon among the trees over there
he pointed toward the valley of
death-"it came to me like an inspira,
ton that possibly few hours hewins
and delving might open n shaft to tho
ledge. l have been well rewarded fol
the effort. The stuff in the vault is SC
eaten away by water that it is nc
more solid than hard mud for the mosi
part. Already l have scooped out a
chimney twelve feet high"
what good can that be?"
"At present we have only front
door-up the face of the rock. When
my work is completed-before tomor.
row night, l hope-we shall have /,
back door also. OF course may en-
counter unforeseen obstacles as 1 ad
vance. A twist in the fault would be
nearly fatal, but am praying that II
may continue straight to the ledge"
II still don't see the great advantage
to U.s."
1.-The advantages are many, believ,
me. The more points of attack pre-.
sented by the enemy the more effective
Will be our resistance. l doubt If they
would ever be able to rush the cave
were we to hold 1t, whereas 1 can 60
up and down our back staircase when.
ever l choose. If you don't mind being
left in the dark l will resume worl;
now by the light of your lamp"
But Iris protested against this ar
rangement. She felt lonely. The long
hours of silence had been distasteful
to her. She wanted to talk.
Il agree" said jerks, provided you
do not pin me down to something l
told you month ago."
Il promise. You can tell me as much
Or as little rs you think fit. The sub
ject for discussion is your court mar.
tial."
He could not see the tender light in
her eyes, but the quiet sympathy of
her voice restrained the protest prompt
on his lips. Yet he blurted out after n
slight pause:
THAT is very unsavory subject"
SIS 1t? l do not think SO. am q
friend, Mr.. jerks, not an old one, 1 adj
NIT, but during the past six weeks we
have bridged an ordinary acquaintance
ship Of as many years. Can you not
trust mop
Trust her? He laughed softly. Then,
choosing his words with great delibera-
ton. he answered: Eyes, 1 can trust
you. l intended to tell you the story
some day. Why not tonight?"
Unseen IN the darkness, Iris hand
sought and clasped the gold locket sus-
pended from her neck. She already
knew some portion of the story he
would tell. The remainder was of
minor Importance.
ut is odd" he continued, "that you
should have alluded to six years mo.
mcnt ago. 1t is exactly six years al.
most to day since the trouble began"
with Lord Ventnor?" The name
slipped out involuntarlly.
Eyes. l was then a staff corps sub
altern, and my proficiency in native
languages attracted the attention of
friend in Simla, who advised me to
apply for an appointment on the po-
litical side Of the government Of In
dia. did so. He supported the appll-
cation, and l was assured of the next
vacancy In native state provided that
l got married. / was not marrying
man, Miss Deane, and the requisite
qualification nearly staggered me. But
l looked around the station and came
to the conclusion that the commission
er's niece would make a suitable wife.
l regarded her points, so to speak, and
they filled the bill. She was smart,
good looking, lively, understood the