The Washington herald., 1907-11-29
CHAPTER XVIII.
The RnttIe with Denth.

Above, i'm the faint misty sunlight OF
September. the cornhelds all about the
tops Of the nearer stocks a little Smutted
by the bank furnaces, men stood and
waited for the end OF the consultation
in the big room OF The Offices
Women sobbed dryl[ low in their
threats, without ever putting their aprons
10 their eyes Mr.. Romer had arrived
He was cIoscted now with Mr. James
Kahn tWho knew the pit 50 Weld. with
Hector McRiu and Waiter Grinding, the
two general managers. The conference
lasted long time. and meatime. down
below. men and boys might be dying.
The pitmCn grew uneasy. They moved
toward the pit-he2d as if 90 make some
effort on their own account bat they
sadly needed a leader.
The women folk till now retained about
the Offices" By the superior confidence
Of the men OF the night shift closed in
also. The hours slipped on. Now and
then James kahn's motor. with a sud
den coughing. followed by a long whirr
and who" would shoot out on its way
20 the telegraph Office. returning 10 its
stand-where the whole earth about IL
thrilled gently 10 its continuous purring.
IL grew dark. but that did not mat
and for that pit-folk are prepared Every
body had lanterns. and in the mild Sep
tember night they sh0ne curiously on
the white blur which was the white waist
coat of Hector McKill, as he promenaded
it among the anxious groups. advising
them that since they could do no good.
they must trust in Providence, as he was
doing Neither they nor ne could reach
their men down below. And he quoted
Scripture.
Even as he dribhltd commonplaces. sud-
denly a woman broke down. The weird,
unforgettable thrill OF the Irish keen
went out on the still air. nearly break
ing the hearts Of those who heard il. Grief
among the Scottish women was Quieter,
more patient. stiller But even this
changed when il was found that all the
men We're not at the pit bottom. Some
feW-nineteen in all-had Been in the short
. cross workings a little above the spot
where the fire commenced. They were
soon caught. for they had nowhere 10 fee
for refuge For them there was not even
the poor mockery of a half-blocked sec
ond exit So, when the first descent of
the cage was attempted, the fire in these
short cross-chambers was already a
smoldering blaze.
Then the bodies began to come up.
Through all Kirktown the news spread
that they had found them-dead. all dead,
smothered and burned, There were those
who knew better-ill0e Vic Morris, who
came hurrying down with the two min
listers, Benjamin IrOngray, and his own
host, John Fowler. of the Valley Kirk
Then the dead carts began to rumble
along the dusty ways The forms of
what had lately been men were laid upon
| them. and they took their way home.
And then, with such a sound as men
hardly hear twice from human throats
in this world. the multitude OF women
till now restrained. suddenly clambered
on the wagons, as a forlorn hope takes
a besieged city, crying aloud for theiI
murdered husbands.
Most unseemly." said Hector McKin
complaining OF Providence that way"
Lot O. good it'll do themr' muttered
Walter Grinding, less piously.
But, be II remarked, they did not noU
move so easily about among the crowd
1 Curses followed them-curses Biblical
said between clenched teeth: curses which
sounded like the pious angers Of Israe
against the oppressor.
But for once Hector McKill had said 9