The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-08
THE EVENING STOR r
Through Shaft Seven.
(By Lulu Johnson.l

II lakes six hours to go from here
to the mine?" pursued the magistrate.
I can do it in five on Tenny."
Not better than that, though. Well,
at IL O'Clock on that night 1 took
drink with Beecham, the accused, in the
Golden Crown. Case dismissed until we
can find who did it"
Fhe judge clambered from the bench,
an elaborate structure of grocery boxes,
and looked about expectantly. Caiman
stepped forward.
Il suggest that the fact that there
really is Golden Crown be proven he
said genially
Motion sustained" ordered the judge,
and the entire party retired across the
street to drink with such others as
might already be there, at Calman's
expense.
But while the evidence was beyond
question, and Calman accepted the alibi
he was none the less convinced that it
was Beecham who had led the attack.
Beecham not only bore a bad reputa-
ton, but he deserved it. Ever since he
had come to Silver Spring he had head
ed all the yillainy of the little mining
camp, and more than once 1t had been
remarked that the Lucky hole produced
a surprisingly large percentage of rich
ore. No one had ever been able to prove
that this ore came from other mines
than the one to which it was credited,
but suspicion lay heavy upon Beecham,
who worried not at all.
For more than a year the Addie-Etta
mine had suffered from the depreda-
tons of ore thieves. AS the mine was
on the other side of the range, 1t was
a surprise that Calman should have
charged Beecham with the theft of the
rich ore. 1t was impossible to take 1t
over the range, and by the divide it
was a good twenty even miles. There
was plenty of richer ore nearer at hand,
yet Calman was positive that in Beech
or hr.h o1 tIao- l1n 70 n
nred at him when an attempt was made
to put the robbers to flight.
There were three marauders in the
party, and they had vanished so mys-
teriously in their retreat that there
were some who ascribed to the disap-
was not humanity possible to drop out
of sight in the bare, unwooded valley
as the robbers had done.
But ghosts have no use for rich ore.
ion, in which he was upheld by Ruth
Clare, the only woman at the Addie-
Eta. She was the sister of Ned Clare,
and acted as bookkeeper and steno-
grapher to Calman.
wen get them yet he promised,
as he recounted the result of the trial.
"They are costing us more money all
of the time, and it will soon reach a
point where they will cut off the pro-
fits. I'm positive that it was Beech
am saw, and yet there were dozen
men whom 1 can believe who saw
him taking a drink in the saloon not
more than an hour after he was here.
Why, he could not have made 1t in a
balloon, and yet, I'm still convinced
that it was he at both places"
"Then 1t remains to be seen how he
made his way SO quickly" she said
quietly.
I'VE simply must find out" he in
sisted. 4 was counting on getting mar
ried this fall, but with the reduction
in the profits am afraid that we shall
not make enough to reach the bonus"
st don't mind waiting. dear" she
said quietly. But for the sake of all
of US, 1 want to see the mystery solved
and it must be solved"
into the office, found a little child in
stalled there
who's the youngster?" he asked
carelessly.
"Beecham's little girl" she explain
ed. 'She was lost on the mountains.
found her with a sprained ankle. cry
ing her poor little heart out. We
must send her home"
"Beecham's childI'' his voice was
harsh. Probably spying for her faith
err"
mo, dear" Ruth laid gentle hand
on his arm. "Beecham is wrapped up
in the little girl. She is all he cares
for"
Her pleading won and late that af-
ternoon Ruth drove up to the Silver
Spring house with the child beside her.
Already searching parties had set out,
but a gunshot signal brought them
back and Beecham rather awkwardly
thanked the girl.
''I'll do as much for you some day
he promised, not realizing how soon he
would be called upon to redeem his
pledge.
The following week he brought the
child over to see Ruth.
"She's been crying for you" he ex-
planned, "and I didn't have the heart
to say No to her. 1 know I'm not well
come here, but Daisy wanted to see
you, SO I had to come"
I'm glad that you did," said Ruth
cordially, as she took the child in her
arms. Beecham looked on approving
ly. There were few women in Silver
Springs as yet, and the little girl sad
ly missed feminine care.
Ruth and the child were still romp-
ing when a man came running toward
the Office.
"Mr Calman is hurt" he cried.
''They are bringing him to the house"
Ruth dropped the child and sped
toward the little cottage where she
kept house for her brother and his
friend. Beecham followed more slow
ly, carrying the whimpering child. Cal
man had been brought in by the time
he arrived, and lay on the bed, white
faced but accomplishing. The mine
physician looked grave.
''The leg is badly crushed" he said.
I'VE can contrive bandages and splints,
but I must have some things from the
Springs. and I am afraid that they will
come too late. It will be at least ten
hours. BY that time it will probably
be necessary to amputate the leg"
Ruth's despairing cry brought
Beecham to her side.
You love him. don't you?" he de-
manded
1--WE are to be married when he gets
his raise" she explained.
Beecham looked from her to his
little girl Even in that moment Ruth
regarded him curiously for many
things were to be read in his chang
ing expression. Then he stretched