The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-15

l her English caste feeling was too firmly implanted in her breast to permit her to yield willingly, her interest was suf- fcently marked to arouse the jealous sus- pieion of another man who loved her Frederick Coventry. a young man with a large estate that was cumbered with debts He was truly in love with Grace Garden, but he was also in love with her money; and he had no intention of losing either to a mere workman.
 MT Coventry marked with pleasure that the unions were after Henry Little. Like everybody else in Hillsborough, he knew what happened to obnoxious workmen, and he watched eagerly to hear that the young man who had thus come into his way had been "done." by which term the 1 Hillsborough operatives meant that he had been attacked and disabled either ] temporarily or permanently. according to 1 orders from headquarters.
 For few weeks Henry heard nothing in rely to his application for membership 1 in the two unions. At last, just when he ] expected that the trouble was settled, he received his money back with the de- cision that he was not eligible
 Cheetham swore that he would stick by his workman. The compact had barely been made when Henry was blown up by gunpowder that had been mixed with the coals in his forge. Luckily he had leaped for the window the instant he saw the flash. Otherwise death or blindness would have ended his career in Hillsborough.
 As it was, he jumped into the yard, black as a cinder, and half insensible from the shock. It happened that the best doctor in the town was near by, Dr. Am- boyne, whose word was law among the toughest as well as the best people in the place. Rich, eccentric and kind, he spent at least as much time healing the worldly and mental troubles of his patients as their physical hurts
 He saw at once that Henry had been suffering for a long time from heavy strain, and that this narrow escape had shattered his nerves sadly. Disregarding all the young mans remonstrances he in- sisted on driving him to a farm near Raby Hall, and promised to see Mrs. Little to tell her that slight illness had made his sojourn in country scenes advisable.
 When he called on Mrs. Little he cried out in amazement, and his cry was an- swered by hers. pr. Amboyne had been an unsuccessful suitor for her hand. and his heart had never relinquished his love for her.
 He had an additional incentive now to save her from worry and succeeded. Henry returned with his nerve restored and firm in the resolve to fight. Cheet- ham again swore to him that he would stand by him if he would remain. He did it with good reason. Henry Little's work was worth e50O profit to him each year.
 Pm a man and not a mouse!' said he. But the next day his men struck. He said he would shut up the works rather than be a slave. A little while later. when all the grindstones stood idle and not a hands turn was being done, he clustered rather more feebly. Half an hour after that he surrendered body and soul, discharged Henry Little and well comed his victorious workmen back.
 At first the young man confessed him. self beaten and thought of returning to London But the face of Grace Garden would not let him go. Then came grim desire to beat his enemies after all. A wild idea came into his brain.
 During his stay near Raby Hall he had found an cid deserted church, built many generations before, in the heathery depths of the hill country when people dwelled there. When they removed to the valley. three miles away, the church was aban- doned. Because it held the tombs of the Rabys, the Squire had kept 1t in repair. but no one now came near it from one years end to the other.
 Here Henry Little, driven from his trade in the town. decided to set up secret forge and produce the wood carving tools that were in such demand. Suppressing his disgust at Cheetham. he arranged with that greedy manufacturer to supply him with tools for price per gross that meant more than e10 a week to Henry. Cheetham exclaimed in horror against the terms, but acceded to them willingly enough for all that.
 Little hired horse and cart and moved his forge and other necessities to the church at night. Then began curious double life for an honest man to lead. By day he pretepded to work at his trade as a woodcarver, having put up sign over his door to mislead the unions. At sunset he would steal out of his house by a rear exit, mount fast horse that he had bought. and ride to Cairnhope church. where he would forge blades all night long. These, when finished, were sent to Cheetham wrapped In bundles, marked with ciphers.
 Autumn went and winter arrived. and Henry Little was in the full tide of suc- cess, unsusL ected, undisturbed and turn ins out so much work that his income culated in his most sanguine moments.
 Even on Christmas Eve he rode away to his secret forge. It was a wild night, the snow coming down in immense flakes. The windows of the church were cur tained with it and made the deserted place an appalling spot, where youth and life seemed wicked intruders
 Henry shivered little when he looked around him, and could not bear the dark ness this night Contrary to his habit he lit two candles and placed them near one of ihe windows, that they might illum- mate the deep shadows around him.
 He blew hls coals to a white heat and soon made his hammer ring and the sparks fly. Suddenly wild cry rang out.