Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-13

Later he left the mines and went to n
distant city. where he stayed for IL
week. Then beardless and dressed in
correct cIotbcS. - .ity
of the mines He applied for the DO
sition of bookkeeper. and was engaged
to fill vacancy.
had made good in the office aud had
won firm footing in the social strata
of the community. BY taking the tide
in conner stocks at its food he had Sc
cured a fair sized nest egg.
When he was introduced to Captain
Sloan's niece she had not the slightest
remembrance of hin As the summer
passed their friendship grew. linked by
thoughts. Inspirations and interests i'm
common. at the first tints of autumn
their engagement was announced.
Long ago she had told him of the
miner who had been so kind to her
and of the deep impression he bad
made upon her. Once she had gone to
see the man car come up, but she had
failed to see him again.
"Some time" he thought. with a
dread foreboding. 81 must tell her all,
but not now-nOt yet"
One day Sam Pack. detective from
Chicago. slipped quietly into town in
search of a man who had eluded him
! for year. In the afternoon he saun-
tered into the mine office.
How are you. Lowden?" he said to
the head bookkeeper. with a noticeable
hesitation before the name.
He turned quickly and breathed
quiveringly for moment
"Can we go somewhere for private
interview"
Yes" said Jack duly.
81 think I'd like to visit the mines
while | am here Couldn't you take me
DOWN."
Yes" replied Jack heavily. Come
this way"
They were joined by one of the men
and conversation was deferred
"Ob. this is the way you go down"
said Pack, when they came into
shaft house and he looked with some
dismay Mt the sliding steps that came
and went in regular rapidity. Il
thought there was sort of cage or
carr
Not in this shaft. The car is for
the men. It's very simple if you step
as it comes. Step whenever ! do and
only when | do"
There were wild plans revolving in
Jacks mind. and he welcomed this de-
scent into the lower regions. The de-
tectiye didn't exactly like the situa
and ashamed to back out As they
began the descent he stepped precise
" and fearlessIy just rs his guide did
three or four times. Then--he never
knew Just how it happened-hc hest
tated. lost his head and his footing at
the same time.
Jacks strong right arm. backed by
the muscle of miner. caught the un-
fortunate man by the ankle just as
he was going down. With his 1.-the
and sinewy left arm Jack chung to the
beam. maintaining a desperate grip on
the detectives ankle. There was an
agonized space of.time while he stood
in this perilous position before the ma
chinery stopped and the others came
to his relief
With aching. strainiug muscles. Jack
walked back to the office and waited
until the detective should revive. When
he saw him coming he went outside
to meet him.
Il am quite ready to go with you,'
he said. with queer smile.
The detective stared.
IF you were guilty do YOU suppose
; would take YOU after what you did
down there in the mine? | didn't come
| to,take you. Your father engaged me
20 find you u year ago. Your brother
confessed aud is paying the penalty.
| 1t wasn't necessary for you to hide all
| these months"
STILL" said Jack, with flashing eyes
| and IeapinG heart. Il am glad that
did"