The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-08-06

senseless.
When he reused. Helen was bending
over him with tender. tear-blurred
face.
Hell be ell right soon. no broken
bones. just had shake-up." the doc.
tor assured her. and departed with
injuncuons for rest and quiet.
Seniors wits suddenly returned.
Have l been. here long?" he cried.
starting IN.
"You were unconscious nearly an
hour, dearest. Lie down: you must
be quiet. Oh. dearest. II you love me!
II you love me-" she pleaded, with re-
straining arms about him.
Unheeding. he leaped to his feet, ex.
claiming: "Junicr."
mo one could find him. but"
He broke from her and dashed 10
the mine, a CHASTITY object with his
bandaged head and wild. blanched
face. There was no resisting his vio-
lent, threatening commands. and
when Helen and others arrived he had
disappeared below. II was remem.
bered then that Junior had not been
seen since morning. though 1t was
supposed that he had followed Senior
when he came out.
Senior plunged along. striking the
water at the mouth OF the old passage.
II sloped sharply; he felt the flood
deepening, and measured II as he had
fancied Junior doing-feet!-ankle
-knees!-No further! Then he hoped.
He flashed the light against the wall.
It dripped from recent washing. The
water had been to his shoulders. It
had unaccountabiy fallen. but the pas.
sage still sloped-it had been deeper
beyond-Junior was as tail rs himself
but could he have escaped? Again
and again he measured his height
with the wet wall. finding II always
nearer the death mark! In a frenzy
he ran and shouted. and ran. and ran.
Till he stumbled. breaihIess. against
his victim, standing as he had loft
him.
"Oh. not dead. Jnnior!-not dead!"
he gasped, slashing the bonds.
Junior pulled the knotted handker-
breath and laughed.
Il knew you couldn't do It. old fel.
low! I've been looking for you back
every minute-though II 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 ut once it"
Senior Interrupted: II meant to
i"
"And II what you thought Of me was
true. you ought to! I would myself!
| was going to explain whilo we were
down here-Grace and were 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 ns-we had
to have some one to get around the
watch-cst aunt-but we made them
think that Helen and THAT explains
our intimacy. Helen has balked some
times because I wouldn't have you
told-but couldn't. Senior. TIL all was
safe. You know you objected to my
attentions to Grace at first-you re-
member what you threatened! But
it's all past and done wlth-every-
things all right!-and, Senior, l love
Grace as you love Helen. and " she
will only love me as Helen does you,
after we've been married as long. I'll
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
Tor! Junior, What win Helen say to
me for this,"
Helen? She liz 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
flourished the light at a ragged break
into another passage. you see, We
were right. They have been tunnel
ing nnder our property, and doubtless
found enough to account for their ef-
forts to Dust 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 no
doubt. they hurried away. Junior jubi.
lating trlumphantly. But Senior was
heavy with his sin.
Junior, ought to-I must-confess
to Helen, T."
Junior interrupted him wrathfully
IF you say word I'll swear that
you are crazed by the fall. SO help me
heaven. Now. them"
They glared at each other an In
slant. then Juniors ready laugh hub
bled out. joined presently by Seniors
unsteady. shamed quaver.