Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-08-13

frantic, plunging bound and he lay
s~enseless.
When he reused, Helen was bending
over him with tender, tear-blurred
face.
Hell be all right soon, no broken
bones, just a bad shake-up," the doc
tor assured her, and departed with
injunctions for rest and quiet.
Seniors wits suddenly returned.
Have / been here long?" he cried,
starting up.
"You we're unconscious nearly an
hour, dearest. Lie down; you must
be quiet. oh, dearest, IL you love me!
II you love mel" she pleaded, with re-
s~training>a arms about him.
U%nheeding, he leaped to his feet, ex-
claiming; "Junior!"
mo one could find him, but"
He broke from her and dashed to
the mine, a CHASTITY object with his
bandaged head and wild, blanched
face. There was no resisting his VIC
lent, threatening commands, and
when Helen and others arrived he had
tDDN OCiO"a ~ Woo 40
bered then that Junior had not been
seen since morning, though it was
supposed that he had followed Senior
when he came out.
Senior plunged along, striking the
water at the mouth of the old passage.
1t sloped sharply; he felt the food
deepening, and measured 1t as he had
fancied Junior doing-feet!-ankles
-kneesi-No further! Then he hoped.
He flashed the light against the wall,
1t dripped from recent washing. The
water had been to his shoulders. 1t
had "unaccountably fallen, but the pas
sage still sloped-it had been deeper
beyond-Junior was as tall as himself
but could he have escaped? Again
and again he measured his height
with the wet wall, finding 1t always
nearer the death mark! In a frenzy
he ran and shouted, and al and ran,
till he stumbled. GREATNESS, against
his victim, standing as he had loft
him.
ooh, not dead. Junior!-not dead!"
he gasped, slashing the bonds.
Junior pulled the knotted handker-
chief from his mouth, drew a deep
breath and laughed.
II knew you couldn't do it, old fell
low! I've been looking for you back
every minute-though it looked at one
time as if-but | knew you couldn't
do it,-you'd have the water pumped
out in time-and then all at once tt"
Senior interrupted: Il meant to
i"
and If what you thought Of me was
true. you ought 10! would myself!
! was icing to explain while we were
down here-Grace and l were mar
ried last evening and she's safe, where
they won't find her. They have been
trying to force her to marry Hender-
son. Helen has helped us-we had
to have some ore to get around the
watch-cat aunt-buu we made them
think tact Helen and THAT explains
our intimacy Helen has baked some
times because I wouldn't have you
told-but / couldn't, Senior, till all was
safe. You know you objected to my
attentions to Grace at first-you re-
member what you threatened! But
it's all past and done with-every-
things all iIght!-and. Senior, / love
Grace as you love Helen, and If she
will only love me as Helen does you,
after we've been married as long, I'll
be perfectly happy, old mani" Junior
poured out the tumble joyfully.
Senior staggered and dropped the
light. Junior caught it, saw the other
clearly and cried: What has hap
pened? What have you done to your
self"
Senior explained, adding: That's
why | was not here sooner. oh, Jun
COR. Junior. What will Helen say to
me for this,"
Helen? She IS never to know
Never! | was incoming around down
here, as | do SO much, and got myself
fast in the old timbers. That's all!
You hear?" shaking him. And now
let's see what lowered the water,
though | suspect"
He led the way & few yards on, and
fourished the light at a ragged break
into another passage. you see! We
were right. They have been tunnel
ing under our property, and doubtless
found enough to account for their eff
forts to Dust Us. | shouldn't wonder IL
they bold my opinion as to the vein
maybe taSy- See, Senior" he ex-
claimed: this water-washed ledge
1t looas~-.t is! Hallelujah! Senior,
look for yourself, the vein! the vein!"
After al inspection that left no
doubt, they hurried away, Junior JUDI.
lating t~riumphantly. But Senior was
heavy with his sin.
Junior, / ought to-I m~ust-confess
TO Helen, -!
Junior interrupted him wrathfulfy.
III you say a word III swear that
you are crazed by the fall, SO help me
heaven! Now, them"
They glared at each other an in
slant, then Juniors ready laugh hub.
bled out. joined presently by Seniors
unsteady, shamed quaver.