The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-05-25

49, t@4a+~ -.l - SAtlAA ~ tSStSAitfe AltA On
ca uncanny appearance not altogether
devoid Of interest
as climax & had been MANNED to
explore this tunnel, known as Denny
donahan's Lead, from the old Irish.
man, who had dug steadily into the
mountain for three years bringing ont
some geld, breaking in upon q seeming
" limttiess limestone cavern and even
.tually disappearing forever in this pit
which be had dug MeNanon led
the way IN, unreeliug as be went the
cord which was to guide our return,
and with lighted candles the rest OF
US followed ia line. Above us the hats
passed out in a continuous stream. and
amid tiny shrieks Of delight ana trepida-
don from the ladies we proceeded to
the limits of the tunnel and out into
the natural cavern that Ind swallow
ed up the body and. 50 the delightful
tradition ran, the treasure Of Denny
Monahan. The play OF clndle,ieht up
on the glittering drops OF moisture, the
curious formations of onyx and lime
stone, the infinitely repeated echoes, all.
called forth their share OF admiration,
and, although the footing was Decom-
Ing more difficult. we continued on
ward, the Lmger taking the lead in
order to leave McNanon free to man
age iis-cord.
Fatigue began to manifest itselr III
the cessation Of talk and laughter. ana
when one OF the Indies III the rear Of
the procession called ont some belated
jest Of the Iunger The boy glanced
back in surprise. The next Instant he
disappeared as II biotted out. saw
McNapon leap back, heard duh
splash. ana then Ilnowlton brushed
past me, tearing or his coat as he ran.
He, too, plunged out Of sight and we
heard sounds Of struggle IN water
and OF some one gasping for breath.
Holding my candle over the brink Of
the pit into which the Lunger had
fallen, could family discern the gIim.
mer of water below me, but nothing
more. The sound OF splashing had
ceased also, and for long time we
waited lin GREATNESS silence for some
reassuring noise from below. Then
from out the darkness to the left the
even voice Of the young EnglIshman
startled us.
Come bit this way with that can.
die, will you:p
A moment later he appeared, scram-
bling up the sloping rocks at the side
carrying the Lunger like a child in his
arms. Il fancy he's knocked his head
bit on the stones down there" he re.
marked In level conversational tone
as he laid the dripping burden down.
Then as Mrs. Loring bent over the I'M
conscious boy he picked up his coat
and stepped 10 one side.
Ten minutes later the Lunger was
able to stand and, leaning on Lorlng's
arm, TO set out on the return journey.
We found that the prolongatlon of our
stay had nearly consumed our candles,
and after consultation the remaining
bits were delivered over to the leader
and the rest walked In darkness.
was being detailed to close up the rear.
The wndings OF the passage left me
Tor the most part in total obscurIty,
and stumbled along. cursinS myself
that had not told Mamie that truth
concerning Knowlton which we men
had long ago known-that 1t was his
inheritance from a long line of port
loving ancestors that had brought him
down; that after long monotonous
months of garrison duty mt an outly-
ing post an urgent appeal for a'd from
an entrappcd scouting party had cone
At the moment when the demon in his
blood Ind Mt last got the better Of him.
A subordinate had led out relief ex-
petition, and Knowlton had come TO
I've in the valley of the Blue Mater. Il
was not n pretty story, yet thousa.Yl
lines better than the one which h.:l
oeen told her. And, too, I could all
10 1t that for the past year he hal
fought against his temptation with nh
nnfilnchlng courage that In my eyes ut
least had made him almost worthy ~.
aer. Yet had feared that no woman
could comprehend what that duh
uIOOu VI duSL vi lue cut crystal &C.
canter an heirloom in the family. 10
had once remarked to me, with qucar
smile, had cost him. wondered IL
aven now she would understand.
As we turned at last into the straight
Mnnel caught sight OF two sllhouetted
figures that walked side by side just
IN front OF me. talking in low tones.
And as we approached the entrance
they delayed their steps. and there
came to me the voice of Mamie Mar
bic. speaking very gently:
mo, no, do not wish to be told
what the real reason was. have
seen. am sure 1t was not what that
paper said. There is nothing else in
the world that l would not trust the
man love to conquer"
Very gravely the man answered her.
Anything in the world now"
And together they passed out into the
starlight.