Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-10-05

tale. Nine good fellows. stout and
hearty, family men most of them. were
behind the deadly barrier. II could be
dug and blasted through. but not in
time to save them--the fall had broken
connections of the air fan that rendered
the workings in that gallery safe. The
ior. his fnce set as for battle, was
issuing orders to long distance tele-
phone men. calling help from every city
within range, ordering ii regardless Of
expense.
"I.ook how man faces things. ~
Bernard admonishcd Annc--she was
white and story with anguish-all these
mine folk were close TO her heart. II
was through them the curate had won
his plac" in her regard-hc was so
naivcly of them. heart and soul, on
entering into their joys, their sorrows,
hopes, aspirations and bewidermcnts.
TO some among them he was fool for
his pains; to others n playmate: to
still others, harmless Merry Andrew,
but to the most part Il comrade, h"av-
n-srnt TO show them the better ways
rather than to tell of them.
Him, too. the whistle had called i'm
perativcly-but he had been hindercd,
apparently--tho mnjOr was almost
through his relief ordering before he
appeared on the sc"no.
"Whnt is needed worst % he asked.
his voice Sinking.
"Air---which means life" tho major
answered through set teeth he dared not
unclinch.
Curate Lrc dropped his eyes. mcditn-
lively for moment then dartnd away
without II further word. a few cursed
his cowardice-more wondered at his
flight.
Bernard whispered TO Anne: "All
yellow. You see" But she did not
hear him, apparently-sh gnvc him
no answer. She was thinking--hnrd.
Curnto Lee knew the outer fnco Of the
! workings as did no one else. He loved
outdoors with n passion--and the coal
country was n magic land TO his low
land soul. He had spent all his srnnt
leisure ranging it--wlrat might he not
have found? She asked herself the Quca-
ton over and over Hs sh" went among
tho women crouching here and there
with children Mt the breast or clinging
tight TO their skirts. She sOothpd them
but TO those borcft she dared not
even breathe shndowy hope. only
pressed their hands and str0ked the
heads Of their "hildren--whnt time she
could spare from making them comfort
able in the shad". II was high noon
blazing hot, but somehow she did not
feel it. II was left 10 Bernard TO sup
ply fans, ice water. milk and fruit. He
had forgotten himself and his cnmitiea
letting his fine realities come 10 the sur
face. Anne was dimly conscious of the
chnngc. but il seemed futile and trivial.
! Here in III" face Of death air. clean.
fresh and sweet, was ell that mattorrd
Thrr" was Il constant roar Of nrriv-
a!S-trainH. motors. apparatus from the
nearest colli"rtcs, all manned with tho
pick of their professions and every man
eager only TO Nuccor the doomed prs-
oncrS. II was time for doing. not
hoping; they went Ht il with will in
n mnss"d array. The major wanted to
lead thom-thcs" were his own mon
he must tax" tho greatest risks. They
wOuld not let him, these eager vOlun-
tc"rS. II" had brought back from the big
war less than half his man strength.
III" should not Civ" it uselpsSly II was
clearly f"rIorn hope, with heavy odds
against winning.
Blasting wouId make an end of tho
barri"r--yct might bring down so murh
greater fall ~ to crush all within
range. If a "rawIWay could be cleared
at IN" top Of the masScd earth and rock
air could DO sent in through a hose
mayb" even food and water--thnn res
cue would be certain if laggarl
So they set about making it--thcSp