The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-08-26

address. Miss Marie Sloan.' AS 1t
was empty. he could see no harm in
keeping it,
Every night thereafter. when the
man car came up from the depths. he
felt a little thrill Of remembrance Of
his first glance that night when he
had beheld her. His heart throbbed
with the feeling that cOmpels every
man to strive anew to work out the
best that is in him. 1t had seemed
natural-almost ordained-that she
should speak to him and that he
should walk beside her. Their words
had been commonplace. He scarce re-
membered them, except that she had
known him to be above his work and
that she was coming back next sum-
mer.
He began to formulate new plans.
Later he left the mines and went to a
distant city. where he stayed for
week. Then, beardless and dressed in
correct clothes, he returned to the city
of the mines. He applied for the po-
sition Of bookkeeper, and was engaged
to fill vacancy.
When summer and Marie arrived he
had made good in the office and had
won a firm footing in the social strata
of the community. By taking the tide
in copper stocks at its food he had Sc
cured fair sized nest egg.
When he was introduced to Captain
Sloan's niece she had not the slightest
remembrance Of him. AS the summer
passed their friendship grew. linked by
thoughts, inspirations and interests in
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 had
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,. Il must tell her all.
but not now-not vet"
One day Sam Pack. detective from
Chicago. slipped quietly into town in
search Of 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 noticeable
hesitation before the name.
He turned quickly and breathed
| quiveringly for q moment.
"Can we 60 somewhere for private
interview"
Eyes" said Jack July.
81 think I'd like to visit the mines
while / am here. Couldn't you take me
down"
eyes" replied Jack heavily. "Come
this way"
They were joined by one Of the men
and conversation was deferred.
"Oh. this is the way you go DOWN.
said Pack, when they came into a
shaft house and he looked with some
dismay at the sliding steps that came
and went In regular rapidity. Il
thought there was sort of cage or
CARP
mot 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-
tective didn't exactly like the situa-
ton, but he was brave. sure footed
and ashamed to back out. AS they
began the descent he stepped precise
ly and fearlessly just as his guide did
three or four times. Then-he never
knew just how it happened-he hest
tated. lost his head and his footing at
the same time.
Jacks strong right arm. backed by
the muscle of a miner. caught the IN
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 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, straining 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.
81 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 alter what you did
down there in the mine? didn't come
to take you. Your father engaged me
to find you a year ago. Your brother
confessed and is paying the penalty.
1t wasn't necessary for you to hide all
these months"
"Still," said Jack, with flashing eyes
and leaping heart, ~ am glad that l
did"