The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1906-07-20
four hours, and you'll get It for the
sake of Nora and the kids. Good
night" H.. M
CHAPTER XIV.

YOUIS came to himself just before
| midnight and recognized Ann,
and though his breath was labor
- ed and his face lined with SUI
fering it was good to feel his familiar
/ self reaching out to her from his house
Of pain.
"How did you get hereY he asked.
| II drove with DR.. Braide.".
''I'm pretty sick. I'm glad you came,
I sis," and he put his hand feebly into
hers. "Where's Rob?"
"He's sleeping. You must be quiet
now or you'll wake him."
"He's been good to me-"
"Sh, dearest" she pleaded. Don't
talk now Go to Sleep"
Il Don't want to sleep. I've slept
enough. 1t makes my head ache
worse"
In the end the boy ceased to groan
and twist and at last slept, but Ann re-
fused to 60 to bed. Her anxiety and
the many questions pressing to be an
swered engaged her so deeply that she
felt no need Of sleep. Toward mid
night Braide, in despair Of inducing
her to sleep, stretched himself in a
, low chair and fell into doze.
It was exactly 2 o'clock when
single gllnshot rang out sharply, like
the voice of sentinel questioning the
silent night As the girl listened tense
", three others, deeper throated, an
swered In quick succession. Then
silence again interviewed for moment,
only to be torn by fusillade, a rat
tat-tat of assault which brought Braide
to his feet.
Ann hurried to Raymond, calling
sharply, Rob, they are shooting!
Don't you hear them? Quick! Quick!'
Raymond rose to his feet dizzily and
looked at her blankly, the mist Of sleep
thick in his brain. Other shots and
cries followed, and though faint and
far they cleared his vision. Catching
a belt of cartridges from the wall and
turning to Braide he sternly asked.
"Can you shoot?"
Before Braide could answer another
shrill chorus Of yells, fierce as the out
cry Of wolves, arose, vivid light
filled the room, and second later q
dull conclusion shook the earth be-
meath their feet. Ann shrank and
covered, but Raymond, menacingly
quiet, remarked: "Well, our turn has
come They've blown up our shaft
hoase."
"Oh, nor cried Ann. 'They wouldn't
do that. They daren't do that"
'That's what they've done," he Bit
terly assured her. Then thought en-
tered his mind which staggered him.
1.-THE men-the men were in the mine"
| he shouted and rushed into the dark
ness.
Ann heard his blows upon the door
Of the other cabin as he called: Boys,
roll out! The power house is blown up!
The men are in the mine! Quick, out
with you! Buckle your guns!"
Then the girl recognized Kelly's
great voice. He was calling as he ran.
"Rob. a: e there" 49,
eye Il! W ':.g the boys"
ats the shaft house." -
ut looks that way" -
"And the men, lad the men"
II don't know, Matt. I've just got
on my feet"
So much Ann heard before the sound
OF their feet died away down the path.
The sleepers in the bunk house began
to rumble and clatter about on the
bare floors. One by one they emerged,
slamming the door behind them.
Once outside the door the women
could see the flames growing each mo-
ment in power, licking with avid
tongues at the confused mass Of splin-
tered beams. and on the curtain Of red
light the forms of Kelly and Raymond
played in silhouette as they strove furi-
| ously against the destroyer Their
workmen soon Joined them. and each
moment some fastening rescuer hur-
| tied past the open door and as he ran
| cursed in bitter frenzy.
"Annv' called Louis from the bed.
Faint as it was, the girl heard his cry
and hurried to his side.
Eyes, I'm here, laddic What do you
want? How do you fecl?'
"Aly head aches so. l cao't breathe
good He moaned. "Oh, dear, I'm so
hot" The voice of his anguish stung
Ann to the soul With 4 sign to Nora.
commanding silence, she closed the
door in the hope that no sound from
the burning mine would penetrate to
the bedside.
Nora hurried back to her cabin, while
Braide dropped some helpful drug upon
the boys tongue. When his patient had
grown quiet the young physician said:
IF you are not afraid, 1 will 60 down.
Some one may be hurt and my help re-
CURED"
60 I am not afraid" she COM
manded. "Only remember your first
duty is here"
II do not forget that" he answered.
But even as he was collecting his outer
clothing and his medicines Raymond
flung the door open and entered. His
hands were blackened and bleeding.
his head was bare, and on his face was
a look that thrilled the girl. Doctor,