The Press., 1910-03-23

Almost breathless, Faith gained the mouth of the mine and, dropping on her knees, peered down into the dark depths below. The black sullen wa ters of the rising stream boiled and hissed among the jagged rocks and crevices, flashing madly the legs of man who stood insecurely on narrow ledge fully halfway down. He was cIinging in terror to a jutting rock above him, which threatened every moment to give way. 1t was peril Ous, an awful situation, and the girl shuddered as she gazed. while in the white horror drawn face upturned to hers she recognized Nick Sanders.
 'For Gods sake, Faith, try. to help me out of this!'' he screamed.
 "I'll try, Nick!' she called back.
 But how was she to do it? She looked about hopelessly; then her eyes fell upon a large coil of caston rope near the broken windlass. She caught it up eagerly. and. lowering one end to Nick, she said:
 'Tie this around you under the arms"
 He did SO and felt himself being slowly drawn upward. Such was his peril that he could not realize that the girls hands alone were not strong enough to pull him to the top. He did not know that another had also heard his calls for help and had arrived just in time to aid In the rescue When almost up blow on the head from a shelving ledge rendered him uncon- scious for several minutes. When he came to himself he was ly- ing on the bank of Deer Fork. and Faith was bathing his face. Hearing Howard Oiney's voice. he kept his eyes closed and listened.
 "Pm glad l was in time to help you save him." the young man was saying. "I was on my way to see you, Faith. to say goodby before leaving the can- yon. At first l thought l would go away without. but l couldn't. felt that must look upon your face once more before gave you up to him."
 Nick heard the tremOr in Olney's voice that told of the emotion he was endeavOring to control.
 Just once more, Faith" he went
 
 on. "I should not go If you could love me. but I know how it is. You have known Nick all your life. In the de- lirium of his fever learned how much he loved you, and afterward he told me that you loved him in return. will not come between you. Goodby, dear one. Remember l helped save him for your sake
 There was intense pain in the tones, and as he turned away Faith gave quick sob, and Nick felt a hot tear fall on his face. But the girl made no effort to detain the man she loved. One word would have called him back to her side, yet her lips seemed para lyZed. She knew that he loved her and was going because he believed she loved another: that she would never see him again and her old lonely life would go on unbroken. unbrightened by him. He was slipping away from her forever, still she could not utter word
 And Nick knew. too. that if Olney went now his own chances of some time winning Faith were better than ever.
 Hold on a minute. Howardw called the rescued man, sitting up.
 "What is it. Nick?' asked Olney, turning back. though he did not trust himself to look toward Faith.
 Come up nearer Eve got sOmethin' to tell you both, and you don't know how hard it is for man to call him. self out loud and right before two good folks he's been a-wrongin', a onery big liar" said Nick. But that's just what l ana Onery big liar. l lied to you about Faiths lovin' me. and then lied to her about your leav- in Deer Fork to keep accounts for MT. Owen just because you were in love with his daughter. I'm a low lived devil, but when l was down in that ole shaft a-facin' death I made up my mind if ever got the chance I'd be better man. Now that you two have saved my worthless life and have give me the chance asked for I'm goin' to begin with you and Faith by settin' want to see you happy, so my lies ain't StaRdin' in your trail any more.
 Maybe you wonder how happened to be down in that old mine. You re- member that Swede who got pile of gold and some nuggets stole from his cabin over on Ffrecheck creek? We'll. I am the thief and hid # all down in that shaft, where I kno ad nobody would dare go pokin1 TOT went down. aimin' to git part of it to swap oil, and that water rig right up like a avengin' angel. l hHin't got the maxim of half saint in me- but I'm goin' to tote back that stuff where ! got it from and strike new trail mp