Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1916-12-29

Dupont to lead the way back.
They had gone twenty-five or thirty
PAGES when little slither of ore fell
on the floor of the tunnel in front OF
Dupont. Instantly he sprang forward
with whispered cry: Jump
quick %
Hardy leaped after him, barely in
time to clear the ton or more OF ore
that dropped from the roof in Il mass
Without stopping to look behind them
the two men FASTENED stealthily down
the slight slope of the tunnel, their
candles appraised and eyes fixed on the
soft, raw Ore-bOdy above them. At any
moment the entire roof might cave in
and bury them. The shock of the first
all along the passage. Fragments drib,
bled down behind and in front of the
fugitives and even on their heads,
Panic-stricken they broke into Il run.
1t was none too soon. AS they dashed
around the turn that brought them ia
the outlet, the entire roof behind them
came thudding down.
Safe outside, Dupont shook the
fragments from his hat and clothes,
and pulled out his bandanna to wipe
off the sweat that was gathering in
beads on his forehead.
'Ugh!' he grunted. Don't never
see me in there agin till it's timbered."
Rather close CALI remarked
Hardy.
You're a cool one" muttered the
trader, and he scowled. "Nom dun
CHEN! Just my luck! If I hadn't
sung out, you'd "a got smashed under
that first DROP
Il shall not forget it, Dupont"
"Me, neither. Stead of being rid of
you, here you are ready as ever to
clean Us Out-and [ done it!''
you do not regret saving my life"
asserted Hardy.
well, mebbe not Just the same,
it's mighty hard luck on us. Here we
went and blocked out all that there
Ore-three hundred thousand dollars
as good as in our pOckets-not to
speak of all that's down under and
tOther side the shaft. For all we know,
it runs clean through the mountain
and down to China -
"That does not alter the situation"
said Hardy.
"Mebbe it don't, and then ag'in-'
Dupont began to scratch his head.
''Yes, mebbe it don't, and then, (. in,
mebbe it does. Just you take Il look
at it this way, Cap. Suppose that new
treaty goes through, the tribe don't
git nothing out OF this mine, and we
don't, neither. Just some lucky bum
beats us to it, and the government says
it's hisn. Is that fair and square?'
"You have acted outside the law"
said Hardy. you must take your
chances with other lOcators"
How about the tribe?" Queried Du-
pOnt. Don't you care nothing about
their interests? Just supposing you
and me and Mr.. Van took hold of this
here proposition for the tribe and split
even with them on the proceeds. | call
that square dea; to them and US, too
Ind J. know Marie would think the
same. She likes you, Cap. Just Sho"
her you want to do what's hes; for all
concerned, and I'm dead sure She"
Stop commanded Hardy. Il cave
your daughter out of this
"You've got to tell me how Pm
going to do it," replied Dupont in an
injured tone. eff don't git my share
in the mine, Mr.. Van can't afford to
take her; and you won't have no
show. But you git in right with Marie,
and she'd work her hands to the bone
for you. She amt no common breed
girl, neither. You Know that. She'd
be real lady, if she had money
only you amt going to give her no
chance"
"She knows that I wish to marry
her" said Hardy.
"Thnk she believes that when
you're going to rob me and her of
fortune"
Hardy looked directly at the temp
ter, his eyes clear and resolute, though
his face was white and drawn. ut is
Of no use, Dupont. I shall do what
consider my duty"
DupOnt's face darkened. $50 that's
what l git for saving your life. You
amt got q particle of gratitude, and
you don't care a hang about her"
II must beg to differ with you" said
Hardy. "But l cannot expect you to
understand my position"
Dupont drew out his pipe and re-
turned to his seat on the mine-dump,
to brood on his wrongs in morose 81
Lence. Hardy thoughtfully walked
back to the cabin, drew out writing
pad from one of his saddlebags and
began to draft q semiofficial letter to
the most influential of his few &C.
quaintances in Washington.
He soon became SO intent that he
did not notice the half-dozen figures
In dark blue uniform that came swing |
ing down the precipitous mountain
side above the terrace. When at last !
he finished the letter and looked uR
he saw all the members Of the police
escort drawn up in line before him,