The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1909-08-26

time! Faster! Faster-in sight-Oh,
faster! He cruelty spurred the al.
ready maddened animal, there was a
frantic, plunging bound and he lay
senseless.
When he reused. Helen was bending
over him with tender. tear-blurred
face.
He'll be all right soon, no broken
bones. just a bad shake-up," the doc
tor assured her, and departed with
irjunctions for rest and quiet.
Seniors wits suddenly returned.
Have I been here long?" he cried,
starting up.
"You were unconscious nearly an
hour, dearest. Lie down; you must
be quiet. oh, dearest, II you love me!
II you love mel" she pleaded, with re-
straining arms about him.
Unheeding. 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 vio-
lent, threatening commands, and
when Helen and others arrived he had
disappeared below. It was remem.
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 it as he had
fancied Junior doing feet!-ankles!
-knees!-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 it always
nearer the death mark! In frenzy
he ran and shouted, and ran. and ran,
till he stumbled, GREATNESS, against
his victim, standing as he had left
him.
"Oh. not dead. Junior!-not dead!"
he gasped, slashing the bonds.
Junior pulled the klotted handker-
chief from his mouth, drew q deep
breath and laughed.
Il 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 l knew you couldn't
do it!-you'd have the water pumped
out in time-and then all at once it"
Senior interrupted: IL meant to
Il"
"And IL what you thought Of me was
true, YOU ought to! I would myself!
was going to explain while we were
down here-Grace and were mar
r1ed 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 one to get around the
watch-cat aunt-but we made them
think that Helen and THAT explains
our intimacy. Helen has baked some
times because | wouldn't have you
told-but couldn't, Senior, till all was
safe. You know you objected to my
attentions to Grace at frst-you re-
member what you threatened! But
It's all past and done with-every-
things all right!-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 man." Junior
| h1 INV
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
Tor! Junior! What will Helen say to
me for this!"
Helen? She is never to know!
Never! I 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
flourished the light at 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 Of
forts to GUST us. shouldn't wonder if
they hold my opinion as to the vein
maybe they See, Senior" he ex-
claimed; this water-washed ledge
| 1t lOok:--it is! Ealleluiah. Senior
lock for yourself, the vein. the vei.."
After an inspection that left no
doubt, they hurried away, Junior ju5i-
lating triumphantly. But Senior YVES
heavy with his sin.
Junior, ought to- must-confess
to Helen, l."
Junior interrupted him wrathfully.
III you say a word I'll 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 1auob huh