The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1909-09-07

ready maddened animal. there was
frantic, plunging bound and he lay
senseless.
When '2e reused. Helen was bending
over him with tender, blurred
face.
He'll be all right soon, no broken
bones, just had shake-up," the doc.
tor assured her, and departed with
injunctions for rest and quiet.
Seniors wits suddenly returned.
Have l been here long," he cried,
starting up.
You were unconscious nearly an
hour, dearest. Lie down; you must
be quiet. Oh, dearest, if you love me.
if you love me-" 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 VIC
lent, threatening commands, and
when Helen and others arrived he had
! disappeared below 1t 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 et!-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. bEt the pas
sage still sloped-it had been deeper
beyond-Junior was as tall as himself
and again he measured his height
with the vet wall, finding 1t 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 knotted handker-
| chief from his mouth, drew a deep
breath and laughed.
II knew you couldn't do 1t, old fel
| low! I've been looking for you back
every minute--though it looked at one
| time as if---but 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
i"
And II what you thought of me was
| true, you ought to! | would myself,
| ] was going to explain while we were
down here-Grace and We're mar.
| ried 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
| %atch-cat aunt-but we made then
think that Helen and THAT explains
| our intimacy. Helen has baked some
! times because | wouldn't have vol
tOld-but | couldn't, Senior, till all was
safe. You know you objected to my
attentions to Grace at first-you re
member what you threatened Blu
| it's all past and done with--every
| things all rightl-and, Senior, | love
Grsce as you love Helen, and if she
| will only love me as Helen does you
| after we've been married as long, II
be perfectly happy, old mani" Junior
poured out the tumble joyfully.
| Senior staggered and dropped the
| light, Junior caught 1t, 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.
ior! Junior! What will Helen say to
me for thisl"
Helen? She is never to know .
| Never! | 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
fourished the light at a 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 ef.
| forts to GUST us. | shouldn't wonder II
they hold my opinion as to the vein
maybe they See, Senior" he ex
! claimed; this water.washed ledge
it looks--it is! Hallelujah! Senior
look for yourself. the vein! the vein!'
After an inspection that left nc
doubt, they hurried away, Junior jubi
| ating triumphantly, But Senior was
heavy with his sin.
| Junior, | ought to- must-confes.
| to Helen, T."
| Junior interrupted him wrathfully
| IF you say word III swear tina
you are crazed by The fall, SO help m,
heaven! Now, thsn!"
They glared al each other an I'm
slant, then Juniors reedy laugh bub
bled out, joined presently by Senior.
| unsteady, shamed uuayer.