The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1923-01-11

mel now, coughing slightly as the
sharp smoke OF the dynamite cut their
lungs long journey that seemed
as many miles inrtead of feet. Then
with shout Falrchild sprang for
ward. and went TO his hands and
knees.
II was there before him-all about
him-the black, heavy masses OF lead
silver ore. great. heaping hye-ton
pile of II where II had been thrown
out by the tremendous force Of the
explosion. II seemed that the whole
great door OF the cavern was covered
with II. and the workmen shouted with
Fairchild as they seized bits OF the
precious black stun and held II TO the
light for closer examination.
"Looki" The voice OF one OF them
was high and excited. You can see
the fine streaks OF silver sticking out
It's high-grade and plenty OF III"
But Falrchild paid little attention.
lie was playing In the stun. throwing
II In the air and letting II fall TO the
floor Of the cavern again. like a boy
with a new sack OF marbles. or child
with its building blocks. Five tons
and the night was not yet oyerl Five
tons. and the vein had not yet shown
its other sldei
Back 10 work they went now. Again
through the hours the drills bit Into
the rock walls. while the ore car clat-
tered along the tram line and while
the crenking OF the block and tackle
AZ the shaft seemed endless. In three
days. approximately forty tons OF ore
must come out OF that ni.ne-and work
must not cease.
Morning. and in spite OF the sleep
laden eyes. the heavy aching In his
head. the tired dropping OF the shout
ders. Fairchild tramped TO the board
Ing house TO notify Mother Howard
and ask for news OF Harry. There
had been none. Then he went on. 10
wait by the door Of the Sampler until
Bittson. the owner, should appear, aud
drag him away up the hill, even be-
fore he could open up for the morning.
'rhcre Il isl" he exclaimed, as he
led him 10 the entrance OF the cham
her. 'There II IS; take all you want
OF II and assay IL
Blttson went forward into the cross
cut. where the men were drilling even
at new holes. and examined the vein
Already Il wns three feet thick. and
there IVES silll ore ahead. One OF the
miners loked up.
Just finishing up on the cross-cnt."
he announced. as he nodded townrd his
drill "rve just bitten into the foot
wall on the other side Looks 70 me
IKE the veins about FIVE feet thick
as near ms can measure IT,"
Ind" Bittson picked w a few
samples, examined them by the light
OF the ,urliides and tossed them AWAY
--''yon can see the silver sticking out.
caught sight Of couple OF pencil
threads OF II In one or two OF those
samples. All right. Boyi !" he turned
TO Fnirchlld. "whnt was that bargain
we nader"
1T was based on two hundred dol
lars-a-ton ore. This nay run above
or below Buf whatever II In. I'll sell
all you can handle for the next three
days at fifty dollars a toa under the
assay price"
you've said the word. The trucks
VIII be here In ma hour N we have TO
shovel path all the way up Ken
lucky gulch."
He hurried away then. while rslr
child and the men followed him into
town and to their breakfast. Then.
recruiting a new gang on the promise
Of payr ent at the end OF their three
day shift. Fnlrchild went back 10 the
mine. But the word had spread, and
others were there before him.
Already fifteen or twenty miners
were assembled about the opening ~
the Blue Poppy tunnel. awaiting per
mission 20 enter. the usual rush upon
n lucky mine 10 view iis riches. BE.
hind him. Fairchlld could see others
coming from Ohadi 10 take n look NJ
the new strike. and his heart bounded
with happiness tinged with sorrow.
Harry was not there 10 enjoy Il al,
Harry was gone. and In spite Of hl'
every eifori. Fairchild had IN he'd r.
ind him.
Some one brushed against hiIa. ard
there came slight tug 90 his c.af
fairthild looked downward fc see
passing the form ~ Anita fsichf fond.
A moment later size sio0iicd toward /
him. bni ~ her eyes there was no ~ /
n recognition. nothing 20 Indicate that
she had just given him a signal OF
.rerfing and c"ngratuiation. And yet
Fnirciilld felt that she had Then. alb
seniiy. be put his hand into bis
pocket.
Something there caused his heart 10
halt momentafily-s piece OF paper.
lie crumpled II IN his hand. he rubbed
his fingers over Il wondcringIy; II had
not been In his pocket before she hal
passed him. Hvrriediy he walked to
he far side Of the chamber and there.
pretending 10 examine a bit OF ore
lrouclif the uieeiFe from its place Of