Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-09-17
lotion
The Two Minute Fuse.
BY WILLIAM WALLACE COOK.

thief. Andy had missed a silver watch
Higgins u pocketboOk with SIS In II
aud Baker nugget valued ut SIG
which he had kept in his trunk.
Andy had wakencd out ~ II sound
sleep few nights before and had
seen Fritz skulklng through the hunk
house When Andy failed to find his
watch next morning there was but one
inference for him to draw.
There in the end of the drift" he
and Blakesly figured the matter all
out. In the afternoon Fritz was not
only to be discharged, but also to see
the inside Of the PhcniX jail,
Blakesly sat rctlectivcly ON the han
die of his wheclbarrow Andy threw
down his drill, unwound two minute
length Of fuse from the coil, scraped
the end and slipped on cap. He
pushed the cap down into the hole
aud followed Il with two sticks Of dy.
Mantle, gently RUNNING them home
and filing up the hole with dust.
Great Scott-' exclaimed Rlakesly.
You're putting in charge for your
life. Andy"
I'm going 10 blow ont this horse
and uncover the VEIN" returned the
foreman. IF It takes leg" Just
then a burst of childish laughter ech-
oed to them. lis that Allie?' he asked,
Allie was his daughter, motherless,
sunny faced child. who had been the
especial protege of Mrs. Hurst, the
keeper Of the boarding house. ever
since her father had brought her to
the Pactolus mine. Occasionally Allie
was allowed TO come down into the
workings, which was always treat
for her. She was prime fayorite,
and every one of the miners would
have guarded her as the apple Of his
eye.
ut must be Allie" said Blakesly.
getting up and starting OF.
At that precise minute the noon
whistle OF the stamp mill sounded.
Take Allie up with you" Andy
called after Biakesly.
IAN right" returned Blakesly. halt
ing at the shaft.
The ladder was filled with climbing
miners, Fritz Mt the lower end Of the
row.
where's Allie. FrltzT" asked Blakes-
ly.
''She vas gone oop alretty," answered
Fritz, looking down.
Sure about that"
Yah, sure. Kingman carried her
Oudt. | seen him meinself"
All the miners OF the day shift ex-
cept Kingman and Andy were now on
the ladder Blakesly was satisfied and
started nimbly up the greasy rungs.
The foreman removed his tools to a
place of safety. applied the flame of
his candle to the end Of the fuse,
watched the fuse splitter for mo-
ment and then made his way to the
ladder and started for the surface him
self
where's Allie?" asked Andy. spring
ing out Of the shaft and hurrying after
Blakesly.
''She came up with Kingman," re-
piled Blakesly.
who told your"
Fritz"
The miners were struggling out sin
gly and in couples on their way TO the
boarding house. Kingman was in The
lead. walking alone. Fritz was just
ahead Of the foreman and Blakesly.
Hello, Kingmanr shouted Andy
"Wheres Allie?"
Klngman turned.
Didn't she come mp with your he
asked
Every miner In the struggling line
came to an abrupt halt. The very
thought that Allie might still be below
with fuse lighted and leaping closer
and closer TO terrific charge of dyna-
mite was sufficient 20 set every heart
TO pounding. There were other charges
In the level, too. but they were light
compared with the one IN the breast Of
the tunnel.
Andy went white IN a second
"You Internal villainp' be roarcd,
sprlnging upon Fritz and gripping him
by the throat.
Fritz tore himself loose and ran
frantlcally back to the shaft.
''Kingman vent past der slope NIT
Allie on his shoulder" he flung at
them as he raced.
81 did" cried Kipgman, Joining the
rest az they flocked excitedly after
Fritz, but she said she'd rather come
up with her father, so ! lowered her
down the ladder again. Didn't you see
her. Andy?"
"Oh, my God" gasped the foreman
and threw his hands to his face
How many holes were loadedY' de-
manded Blakesly.
Three" said Higgins.
"All two minute fusesT
II was a useless question, for that
was the standard length for the noon
firing.
Andy staggered against the frame
work OF the "whim," his face ashen
and his nerve completely gone. He
could do nothing.
Perhaps she's coming up suggest
ed Blakesly