Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1919-07-18
Copyright 1912. BY viusrsph

and mounting II stood within a narrow
tunnel. With no other course to pur.
sue he began carefully treading Its
length, pausing not until he came to
its end. Here he found another short
ladder above which was a trapdoor
and climbing II cautiously showed
tho trap and stepped into small. dark
room. Seeing door upon one side he
silently opened 1t, his heart giving n
great leap ut what he saw.
He was peering into Ethel's bed
ROOM and the girl, sitting before lit
tie table with her cheeks IN her hands.
was gazing ut his own picture. Bat
| tered and dirty he snt his lantern
down, and approaching her quietly
from behind, laid his hand upon her
shoulder. Turning swiftly she looked
up-grew white then with low cry
threw herself into his arms.
For several minutes, obllvious that
In all the world there existed others
than themselves, they abandoned them
selves to the caresses and whispers
which lovers know so well then John,
holding her off at arms length, smiled.
Come. We must go and tell the
others also" With Ethel cllnging to
! his arm they entered the room where
| Bridget sat on guard as formidable as
| old Cerberus himself before the gates
OF Hades. Dropping her weapon on
the floor the woman arose, mouth open
and eyes bulglng at the sight of the
man.
"Merciful hivens! An We were not
kilt at all, mt all !" she gasped as she
stumbled forward to greet him.
Hardly, Bridget" he grlnned. She
turned to the pair within the room.
Come out. both of ye." Heads erect
and wearing the look Of men grossly
mlstreated, the Hawk and Bellas en-.
tered the living room. John thrust
forth his hand.
Il can only ask your forgiveness,
boys. Ethel has told me all, and 1t
happened just as you said 1t did. Bel
las. Furthermore, l have found the
real mine. Come on, all Of you, and
well inspect It."
"Ill stick behind and see that all
goes well here. You can tell me about
IL when you come back" said Morgan.
As he determlnedly refused to accom-
pany them. they hurrledly made ready
and took their departure.
Left alone, Morgan began to prowl.
Davis must have got in by some Sc
cret way" he muttered IA he begun
searching the floor. Presently coming
to the closet Of the girls room he
raised Its rug and ut once saw the trap
cut In Its floor. Quickly securing his
Winchester he also thrust his pistol
into his belt raised the trap and went
feeling his way down the ladder.
Lighting his way by the lantern
which Davis had left behind. he fol-
lowed the tunnel until II emptied him
into the main cave. Above him he
saw the gold glowing duly, and gasped
as the other man had done as compre-
hension Of It's great richness gradually
forced itself upon him.
"Thsre are millions here. and mean
TO have all. And the girl as we'll" he
muttered. Setting the lantern down
he approached the growth which
screened the outside entrance to the
room, peering into the open air. In the
distance he saw the party from the
cabin coming up the trail In single file,
John In the lead. and he picked up his
rifle with cruel smile.
"Now have him." he whispered as
he ran his eye along the barrel. The
roar of his rifle went resounding
among the hills, buffetlng back and
forth like n shuttlecock. John. In the
act of lenping across small rift,
plunged forward just as Ethel was
about to grasp his proffered hand.
Morgan. In the act of turning to flee.
felt II crushing blow from behind, and
throwing up his hands, collapsed with
n groan upon the floor.
Davis scrambled to his feet and
pointed to the moss.covered rock from
which he had slipped at the instant
the gun was discharged.
THAT was the luckiest mlsstep ever
made, for otherwise that bullet would
have gone through my head" he cried
ns the others came rushing to the spot
| ~ "h''i nc hA ihht W
cover everybody-quick."
From the bOulders behind which they
scuttlcd they watched the entrance
closely for several minutes. No sounds
came from within the cave, and con
WINGED that whoever had fired the shot
had fled, Davis rushed the opening, gun
in hand the others hot upon his heels.
Before them and lying senseleSs upon
the floor was the body of the Hawk.
Ten minutes later Morgan was able
To speak In faint tones.
after you left | stepped into Miss
! Ethels room, and much To my aston
ishment saw trap door In the floor of
her closet. Wondering what 1t could
mean, | descended through II, follow
ing n tunnel which led me into this
room. AS l entered ! saw that cursed
Hermit in the very act of firing upon
you as you approached, and made a
jump for him. But in my weak state
he was too much for me and knocked
me senseless. But thank God you are
all safe" Warmly John shook his
hand.