The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-23
TIE EVENING STORY
Rewarded.
(By Anna R. Covington.)


to avoid recognition-and this place
seemed so safe he did not mind the
WEAKNESS and the monotony of the
hard labor.
One night as the main car shot up
from the underworld into the shaft
faced men, with their lamp-lighted
hats rising weirdly out of a dark
throated tunnel, he was the last to
leave the car. His usual first furtive
glance fell upon a young woman with
the form Of goddess and the face
of a Madonna
She stood near a light, with it's
rays full upon her. She turned and
made her way to the outer door. He
opened 1T for her. She thanked him
and passed out. 1t was dark, with
the early darkness of winter. and the
sky was moonless and starless. She
stood for a moment, beWildered by
the strangeness of the scene. Then
she started in the direction of q light
streaming from an office window. She
came back to him as he stood in the
doorway.
Il beg your pardon, but I am a
stranger here. VIII you please direct
me to the main street, or the main
You should go that way-past the
engine house. Then cross the rail-
road tracks to the street beyond
Thank you. shall know my way
as soon as I reach the street"
1t is rough walking here. If you
Will permit me, will walk with you.
have a lantern"
Il shall be very glad if you will do
so, she replied. gratefully.
They walked in Indian fashion
until they had left the mines and had
gained the beaten track of the high
way. Then he walked beside h,
It is all so wonderful to me here"
she remarked.
You do not live here. then?
NO; live near Boston. I am on
the mining company. I wanted to
sec the man car come up, but missed
uncle and came alone. You weren't
on that car, were you?'
Yes; I work in the mines, getting
out food for the furnaces
isn't it a hard life? You haven't
always been a miner?" she half
queried.
He felt little thrill of joy-his
first in months. He had not, then,
NO" he said slowly. "Only since
last September. One must live.'
won't you come in and let my
uncle thank you for your kindness to
front of the captains big white house.
mo. thank you" he replied, seri-
ously. But the kindness was on your
part in letting me come
row." she replied, "but I expect to
spend next summer here, and 1 hope
may see you them
She extended her hand as she spoke,
and he touched it reverently. When
she had gone into the house he no
Iced something white on the ground.
1t proved to be an envelope which had
evidently fallen from her muff. BY
Miss Marie Sloan" AS it
was empty, he could see no harm in
keeping it.
Every night thereafter, when the
nan car came up from the depths, he
'elt a little thrill of remembrance of
lis first glance that night when he
lad beheId her. His heart throbbe
With the feeling that compels every
nan to strive anew to work out the
,est that is in him. 1t had seemed
ordained--that she
hould speak to him and that he |
hould walk beside her. Their words |
lad been commonplace; he scarce re- |
rendered them, except that she had |
hat she was coming back next sum-
ner.
He began to formulate new plans.
4ater he left the mines and went to a
week Then, beardless and dressed in
orrect clothes, he returned to the |
ity of the mines. He applied for the
POSITION of bookkeeper, and was en-
When summer and Marie arrived he
ad made good in the Office and had
7on a firm footing in the social strata
f the community. BY taking the tide
4 copper stock at its food, he had
ecured a fair sized nest egg
When he was introduced to Captain
loans niece she had not the slightest
of him. AS the summer
assed their friendship grew, linked by
noughts, inspirations and interests in
ommon. At the first tints of autumn
heir engagement was announced:
Long ago she had told him of the
nd of the deep impression he had
lade upon her. Once she had gone to
&c the man car come up, but she had
allied to see him again.
Some time he thought, with a
read foreboding, ct must tell her all,
ut not now-not yet"
One day Sam Pack, a detective from
hicago, slipped quietly into town in
If a year. In the afternoon he
auntered into the mine Office. Ii
How are you, Lowden?" he said
/, the head bookkeeper, with a no ,
ceable hesitation before the name.
He turned quickly and breathed +,
for q moment.
Can we go somewhere for pri-
ate interview"
Yes" said Jack, duly.
II think I'd like to visit the mines
lille I am here. Couldn't you take
le DOWN." t
yes" replied Jack. heavily. !
Come this way
They were joined by one of the +
len and conversation was deferred. /
"Oh this is the way you go down."
lid Pack, when they came into a (
taft house and he looked with some | /
smay at the sliding steps that came
nd went in regular rapidity. II a
fought there was a sort OF cage or q
lr?"
Not in this shaft. The car is for t..
le men. It's very simple, If you :
ep as it comes. Step whenever do,
Id only when do"
There were wild plans revolving in !
lck's mind, and he welcomed this
into 46a rarrio7u