The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-06-30

grated upon Mr.. Ruble's Lerves. III
changed color, bit his lip, and wake
away. Miss Darley stopped when h
had disappeared and picked up the key
which had been snugly repOsing be-
meath the sole Of her slipper, an,
| though hOuSemaid came and searchp,
| diligently for the missing instrument
| her inclinatiOns did not prompt her 4
give up her discovery. There was
memory connected with that curlou
bit Of twisted metal which Madclln
| Darley pOndered over for the hundrcdtl
time perhaps, that day.
Old Aunt Miralda dead and gon,
now, so peace TO her ashes had held /
In her hand when she broke out IL
that denunciation OF Paul Ruble, wh'
had gained such an influence over hel
In her declining age that the poor lady
had become little better than the Crea
turc OF his will.
He Is an evil man, Madeline, n hyp
ocrite and traitor. You were right II
disllklng him, and have been blind
old fool. But we will have justice
done yet. The will goes into the fire
for one thing, my dear, and we max,
another one putting you In the place
where he never would have been but
for his base and most unwarranted
pretensions-nevcr, believe mew
But after all Aunt Murilda had died
and Paul Ruble came into possession OF
lad 81, 80
In mills ana mines, and Madeline hung
the distorted key upon her watch
chain as she thought, with sigh, of
how differently her life might have
turned had her relatives intention only
been carried out. Whatever impulse
made her take possession Of the key,
she had no thought of using 1t TO dis
cover her Intended husbands secrets
Her opinion Of the man was so far
from ilattering that the less Of these
which came to her knowledge the
better, she thought
Meanwhile Mr. Rublc was not lit
tie nettlcd at It's loss. He rode away in
the afternoon TO one of the coal mines
from which mutteriEgs Of discomfort
had been making themselves heard.
a knot Of miners were gathered on the
hillside, awaiting his approach.
What now, you rascas?" he asked,
angrily. "Why are you not at your
work."
A decent-looilng man took off his hat
as he made answer for the party.
1--WE was a-comin' TO tell you, sir. as
how we'd put in our last strokes.
'Tain't noways safe in that mine with
the roof all sagging and the pillars
cut out till there's no morc'n n few
inches of crumblin' slate 'twixt us'n's
bcin' crushed to Jelly, and we've got
our love of life strong as other men.
Wen 80 10 work clScwhcrcs If It's
your pleasure, sir, but rot IN the old
mine, where It's tempting Providence
every minute we stay"
you're pack of contrary idiots and
I'll have no more 20 do with YOU" was
Mr.. Rublc's gracious response as he
pursued his way.
If the fates had combined TO aggra-
vatc him, they could have taken no
surcr means than hy sending Royal
March 10 confront him near the mouth
of the mine.
"Thc men wcrc quite justified in leav-
ing" said the latter,
~ will be the judge rs to that" re-
torted Ruble. AS for you, sirrah. con
fine yourself TO your own place after
this, or I'll send you adrift as surely
MS | do those insubordinatc hounds. "
The blue pallor Of quivering wrath was
In Ruble's face as lie saw the other 5
brows knit and darkcn. What do |
mean? | mean that your intoerable
presumption and your chance meetings
with Miss Darley are both ut an end.
The lady has given her future into my
keeping. and If her own pride doesn't
check her associations, my will shall.
I'm kindly enough disposed toward
you. my man, in your own sphere. but
it will be well for YOU to bear in mind
that / am master"
lie scarcely looked 4 for all his bully
Ing assertion. His hand shook rs he
got out his pocket lantern, and he kept
n furtlve watch upon his companion,
more than half expecting some savage
uprising OF a spirit he had reason TO
dread. The brawny hand of the work.
man clenched until the muscles stood
out in great cords on its back, and he
turned away as If fearing 10 trust him
self to any reply. But rs he reached
the descent he faced around.
II wonder that Heaven doesn't send
in that tottering roof on your head.
he muttercd. as IL invoking such an
end. A moment more and dull rum
BILE shook the earth. The sound like
sullen thunder died away, and the sur
shone down, the wind whispered light
ly amid the leaves. bat Royal March
shlvered in the summcry warmth and
turned pale under the tan of the fur
mace fires. What struggle possessed
him for a moment. what better impuls,
was trampled out as he sprang dowi
the pathway, he best knew.
A storm came UP with the evening
Such thunder, such lightning. sucl
down.pouring torrents, were unknow,
even in that region of storms, but Will
the tempest ragged. the furnaces threw
their steady glow athwart the wild
wet darkness, and the night force wer
thrilled by one of those horrible acc
dents which occur, now and then, 4
their midst. The pincers in one man
hands missed red-hot bar. rs IL cam
from tho rolls, and the ductile me,s
! had coiled around him, soaring th