The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-02
THE EVENING STOR Y
The Upper Levels.
(By Honore Willsie.)

$500
he was beginning to think that his
fathers taunt at the leader of cotil-
lions" was to be productive of good;
that, combined with Alice Upham's re-
fusal, the taunt had forced him to see
ing life with broader view.
1t was the mines that had worked the
change The mines and Marianl Con-
sidering that she was miners orphan,
Richard Houston gave large amount
of his thought to Marian. Considering
that she worked a bit for her board.
with Mrs Lisbon, the miners wife with
whom Dick boarded, Dick was haYlns
bad lapses of the Houston pride. sun,
as Dick sail to himself, there was not
much danger of mans making 1901
of himself over a girl of sixteen.
On this particular Sunday, after
week when the miners pick had peen
particularly distasteful to him, DICK
had asked Marian to walk with MN;
At first she had hesitated. tnen she 10 = =
refused, lolxing up into his face VIII
little smile that, even tnousn sn I.
and work for: smile that curled den-
cate deep red lips back over periScl
teeth: smile that lightened up the
wistfuI little face to dazzling loVehlS91
AS she slipped from the room DSN
watched the 1.-THE figure ana the WIZ
derful braid of hair that swept her
back. >, h,,+
the sentence remained unf1nlsneo az Mo
filed his pipe and started on MS soIis
It was late twilight when ne asai
crossed the meadows near the mines
It was lonely spot, SO DICK was SUI
prised as he heard voice:
..Oh. Mr. Houston"
Yes, Marian" ,.,,>o, and
have been worrying about you. Inen
walking beside him with dlstractlus
w co-,fiding air: Ever since you ana
lin Lisbon tok such stano assis
the strike some of the tougns oo~n
the end of the village have peen Hl an,
ing threats. Mrs. Lisbon weIt 10 M
Tie, and got to worrying ana came
out to find you" 1,,,l, m
STEADY, now, steady" sald Dl nth,ne
himself, remember that sh T, as eioud:
We'll now, that is mighty gooo Oh you'
hut there isn't bit of danger
Great Heavens! ,,nhrea tn
They were enveloped In an UNI Ill
.,,,I67ed rumble. a little scream from
Marian, then silence. 10 s+rue-
Marian" called Dick, as he sIIus
gied to rise. Marian Marian rose fer 10 bre m The
ground caved into gallery. nave
heard of 1t often" 1,o,,
Are you hurt?" asked DICK
IL think not. ,ulled
the girl up beside him. Then ne soon
ont his match safe and scratched IN
or four matches In RAPID s3,,L-
They were in pit formed ~ 49, IaveI
ing of the meadow into mining IeNSi
re- nod RIM too close to the surfaces
The pit was but half dozen Ieet tbe
hut it was many times that TO tnh
fieId above. Dick dropped the ma fa n
ne heiI beid ~ won't light any more for
while. We may need them later!
at cts CALL" said Marian. -. .ha
Dick gave few lusty SHOUTS, pet he
siiencel seemed deeper than ever as ne
1a,lsed. A small hand cIept tnto.. ms
and his fingers closed warmly apout ht ~.
~ think 1 am frightened, haIr Wnis-
pered Marian. ..,o,,+s "It's
,,saIess To try to climb this soft clay; a
mass Of debris slid to their feet. we No
ant to get out of this. He scTatcne tSn,. .
match, then gave a quick exei trf,' He 9e
nonsed Through both their minos
22asbed a picture of the dangers Inae
would attend any attempt 10 -, ! :
through the mine. Yet they M 80 :,
each moment in the pit might mean asI,
daath Then, a quick plunge and they
We're in the darkness of the mine. my
felt their way in silence for seVeioi
minutes, then: ,r-,an -, asl-
60 YES, said Marian. "but that does
not matter "a. voice nuz-
A new tone in the SOFT voice puA.
zlsd Dick. 1t was as il woman anu u
not child had spoken. rev Tei-le
we're crossing Dick Houston's mine
~ mis- little girl were five years older,
~ she we're educated, if she were NOT a
y,oiner,s daughter, if. Inc sle-
der fingers lay very warmly ana Gone
e5ingiy In his. A soft, thick bralo OF
~. toncbed his face. as Marian flung
r. hack over her shoulder. DICK sni iI
taader1v as he pictured the famlilar
little gesture. ba said
"there is no actual Danger, yoS ~ A =,
excent of a bad cold for you. NOT oar-
no to sneak of his fear OF hre camp
he added: Lets rest a moment
"The darkness almost suHocates
one half whispered Marian.
Some strange madness va 80 az
,,- Ricbard Houston. Family traul-
lions ideals. ambitions were gone pc
Sora a whirlwind that swept his praln;
ctiI1 holding the soft hand, Marian,
he said. "do you suppose that IN co :
pie of years from now you couiu W
moi .s15 &c ,,,,;cb more ?" asked a demure
little voice beside him. -,
"But I don't know you at ALL ana,
still more demurely, "someho" L new
er planned to love miner .-,xness
Dick flushed in the oarKness'
..parbons bv that time shall be some
thing more than miner. For.io %
,,n, have grown to be a great deal to
me. little girl a,,. on the
e;r,ish voice. that If grown-up girl
were to wear her hair in braid down
ber hack and shortish sklrts, even
IT,, ,ner STown-up girl would look like
Dick felt somewhat dazed. but why
should she do thatZ o.hor
ooh, so the men wouldn't oother
her. .,,a
nicL vet one clear purpose remained
- him MARIAN he whispered, do
Then the cold. the darkness and the
&c nick felt acuuiescence in the yield