The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-03-08

TO her. She refused to believe that Rob-
ert Anstruther, strong Of arm and clear
of brain, knight of the Round Table
in all that was noble and chivalric,
would permit his name to bear an I'M
warrantable stigma when-and she
blushed like June rose-he came to tell
her that which he had written.
i The sailor returned hastily, with the
manner of one hurrying to preform a
neglected task. Without any explana-
ton to Iris, he climbed several times
to the ledge. carrying armloads of grass
roots which he planted in full view
Then he entered the cave and, although
he was furnished only with the dim
light that penetrated through the dis
tant exit, she heard him hewing man
tully at the rock for couple of hours
At last he emerged, grimy with dust
and perspiration, just in time to pay
a last visit to Summit Rock before the
sun sank to rest. He asked the girl to
delay somewhat her preparations for
their evening meal, as he wished TO take
a bath, so it was quite dark when they
sat down to eat.
Iris had long recovered her usual
state of high spirits.
why were you burrowing in the cav
ern again?" sh einquired. Are you in
a hurry to get rich?''
Il was following an air-shaft. not
lode" he replied. II am occasionally
troubled with after wit, and this is an
instance. Do you remember how the
/ flame of the lamp fiickered whilst we
We're opening up our miner"
yes"
| Il was so absorbed In contemplating
our prospective wealth that / failed to
pay heed to the true significance of that
incident. 1t meant the existence of an
upward current of air. Now, where the
current goes there must be q passage,
and whilst / was busy this afternoon
among the trees over there point
ed toward the Valley of Death-''it came
to me like an inspiration that possibly
few hours hewing and delving might
open shaft to the ledge. 1 have been
well rewarded for the effort. The stuff
in the vault Is so eaten away by water
that it is no more solid than hard mud
for the most part. Already 1 have
seooped out a chimney twelve feet
high"
What good can that be?"
AT present we have only front door
up the face OF the rock. When my
work is completed, before tomorrow
night hope, we shall have a back door
| also. OF course, I may encounter I'M
foreseen obstacles as I advance A
twist in the fault would be nearly ia
tai but am praying that it may con-
t1nue straight to the ledge"
Il still don't see the great advantage
to u.s.
1.-THE advantages are many. believe
me. The more points of attack pre-
sented by the enemy the more effective
Will be our resistance. l doubt if they
would ever be able to rush the cave
were we to hold it. whereas can go up
and down our back staircase whenever
l choose. If you don't mind being left
In the dark, L will resume work now,
by the light Of your lamp"
But Iris protested against this ar
rangement- She felt lonely. The long
hours of silence had been distasteful to
her. She wanted to talk
L agree said jerks, provided you
do not pin me down to something l told
you a month ago"
Il promise. You can tell me as much
or as little as you think fit. The sub
Ject for discussion is your court-mar-
tial."
He could not see the tender light in
her eyes, but the quiet sympathy of her
voice restrained the protest prompt on
his lips. Yet he blurted out, after a
slight pause
That is a very unsavory subject"
rs it? ] do not think so. 1 am a
friend, Mr.. jerks. not an old one 1 adj
NIT, but during the past six weeks we
have bridged an ordinary acquaintance
ship of as many years Can you not
trust me?"
Trust her? He laughed softly. Then. |
choosing his words with great delibera-
ton, he answered-"Yes, 1 can trust
you. I intended to tell you the story
some day. Why not tonight?"
Unseen in the darkness Iris hand /
sought and clasped the gold 1ocket sus-
pended from her neck. She already |
knew some portion of the story he |
would tell The remainder was of mi !
nor Importance.
1T is odd" he continued, that you
should have alluded to six years a |
moment ago. It's exactly six years, al |
most to day, since the trouble be- |
gan"
with Lord Ventnor?" The name
slipped out involuntarily.
Yes 1 was then a Staff Corps |
subaltern, and my proficiency in |
native languages attracted the at
tention of a friend in simla, who
advised me to apply for an |
appointment on the political side of |
the government of India. | did so. He /
supported the application, and 1 was
assured of the next vacancy in a ma
tive state, provided that / got mar
ried."
He drawled out the concluding words |
Win cAdSpcIdllllS SlONneSS. IT'S, as /
founded by the stipulation, dropped her
locket and leaned forward into the red |
light of the log fire. The sailors quick
eye caught the glitter of the orna-
ment.
BY the way" he Interrupted what
is that thing shining on your breast?"
She instantly clasped the trinket
again. TT is my sole remaining adorn-
ment," she said; "a present from my
father on my tenth birthday. Pray go
on!"
IT was not a marrying man. Miss
Deane, and the requisite qualification
nearly staggered me. But I looked |
around the station and came to the
conclusion that the commissioners
niece would make a suitable wife. l /
regarded her points, so to speak, and l
they filled the bill. She was smart /
good-looking, lively. understood the art
of entertaining. was first-rate in sports |
and had excellent teeth. Indeed, if a
man selected a wife as he does a horse,
she"
Don't be horrid. Was she really
pretty?"
Il believe So People said she was"
But what did you think?''
A h.