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Show 10 STRIKE ATCOR DELTA. The morning was one of the fairest tbil ever rote over the rocky head of Old Mount Hen; but It was not the beauty of the morning which brought Mark Matthew out so early, striding over the rough stones as if he trod on Vihet There would be no velvet In life for hint unless he found a way out of that day's perplexities, and where the way Mark knew, lay perhaps heaven didn't! low hard he had worked to make his venture In the Cordelia silver mine a success nobody knew but himself, and now to be so near sun ess, and yet ft to loose It through the obstinacy of d miners! few I THE BEE Hush, Mark! We will be happy you can be brave and patient, If Oh, Sue, I have been! I have been! I know It, poor buy! But, Sue, I have had to pay my men big wage fur digging where they bad ro little faith, and It ha exhausted my capital. Lately they have believed in the mine, and have worked on my promise to pay when they struck ore. AU thl I no new to you. Hut yesterday they threw down the pick and refuse to strike a lick more unless I pay them their hack wage. I cant get more men, and the Denver company I will be here day after know, I know If the wretches would work we should strike the lead before that time. Great God! I could almost tear the mine open with my own cool-heade- as its mistress? Mark wiped the drops from his brow as he answered In tones of pain: God knows it has been my dearest hope for months past, dear girl! Well, Mark, If I were there, you would tell me all ycur troubles. Can t ; you do it now?" She waited an instant, and as he did not speak, she added: I know it, anyway. What are the men doing now, Mark? Nothing. Thats it. Sue. Have you sold out to the Denver men? Sold? No! Think they will risk it, unless I can show them the silver? Oh, Sue! Sue! it is hard to be so near making a fortune and then losethirty--it, when you know to a certainty that six hours more of hard work would showT you were right! and Mark fairly shook with suppressed excitement. Susie again laid her hand gently on his arm and drew close to his side as - she said: Make me understand it all, dear Mark; I surely have' a right, you know. m He caught her hand and wrung it hard, as he groaned: Would to God you had never seen , - me, child! I am glad I have seen you, Mark, Tell me wrhat I ask, very Quietly. please. I will tell you, Sue. But it will do no good. You know that some of the experts say the Cordelia will never pay. Ive heard so. .But I say it will! I know it will! Yes, There is a richer vein hidden there than has ever been struck in this Dengion. We only want to find it. The ver company think as I do, and if I can only show them the proof they will buy at my own price. Then, Susie, then, we might be happy. Oh, Lord! a-k- d e, I think. Good Lordy! He mustn't go there! "Why not. quickly. Miss, Dayton? the men asked are like See, ragl-'- g wolves! They have lost all sense, an' has gone down ef Mark Matthew there, I'm going along to help him ef he needs It. He strode away before she could another question. She stood a moment with pale face and tightly compressed pig-heade- It was too had; really It was! Mark walked on with compressed lips as and Hashing eyes, as near desperate to be, man ever gets d a not knowing bound not to give up, yet a turning bow to help It. Suddenly ahead of craggy point, he saw, a little him, a slight figure In a blue gingham dress and a big white hat. He did not care to meet even her Just then; but she heard his step, and, looking roum , with a bright color and a pleasant smile, she waited for him. she Why, Mark, good morning! cried, as he came up. Good morning, Susie. You are out early. v Not earlier than you. It seems. hat Is the matter, Mark? How do you know there Is anything the matter? It It Isnt hard to see. Tell me. to No, child. It would do no good worry you. There! stop, Mark! her hand on his arm, her bright eyes reading his Do you see that little house face. down in the valley yonder? Mine? Yes, Susie. Do you ever expect me to go there Ilf sprung over a ledge leading to another quatler of lb trail and wa gone, Conunt sobbed she, Content! I lie so wh;Je Mis itedmond, didn't I see the t tp tain with ye Jest now? suddenly a rough hut kindly voice dose to her, Sue turned, and saw old Dayton, Mak foreman, coming round the point beside her. 'Yea, be was here, she replied, Du l !:e ha gone, you see. Which way, ml? Over the ledge, toward the shaft-hous- Ups, then said: And so am I going to help him, whether he will or not. and with She left the mountain-path- , ileet feet ran down to the level of the settlement and Into the wooden cabin, where she lived with her old uncle. Major Itedmond, whose fortune she had followed Into this wild region, and who was her guardian and the trustee of the small property left her at her fathers death. ground his heel hard into the earth. Would they work if you could pay them? "Yes. But I cannot. How much ready cash would tide She found the old man writing at his desk. He looked up as she hurried In. and to her question: Uncle Joe, have you seen Mark today? he answered: No, child; but I am going to the shaft-hous- e In ten minutes. I am afraid the hoy is in trouble. Uncle, I know he Is! Dont wait ten minutes! Go now, and take something for me. Why, how now? asked the major, Anylocking keenly into her face. new? thing Yes, uncle. The men are angry because Mark has no money for them, Mark? over you and Dayton says they threaten viothis, of sum one thousand "The miserable lence. Uncle, you dont think they I it. Im and sorry havent got would really hurt him, do you? dollars, when a I A gang of now that didnt take I dont know, child. partner Coles wanted to go in with me last unpaid miners is an ugly thing to fall. handle. They have got no sense. You are lucky not to be in with Neither has Mark Matthews! whoever Coles, said she, decidedly; Ill tell him you said so. will man, with wool out that for Do it; I dont care! Uncle, how goes, I or miss come home shorn, my guess. much of my money can you lay hold But I dont want to talk of that. Mark, of right now? dear Mark, you do love me, dont you? Well, it wouldnt break me to find with the coaxing hand on his arm about fifteen hundred in the bank. Good. Uncle, go as fast as you ayain, the bright eyes fixed on his face. He took both her hands, and, holdcan to the bank, draw it, and hurry sweet her to the Cordelia shaft house with it. ing them tightly, looked into face as he answered with deep feelThen make Mark take it, as a loan from you, not from me. Do you undering: Better than my own life, Susie! stand? I know it, Mark. Then will you The old man smiled knowingly, as do me a great, great favor? he answered: If I can, assuredly, darling. Rather think I do, child. He reThen, Mark, dearest, I have some fused to take it from you, did he? Yes. money a few thousands let me lend you Well, I dont blame the hoy. But and he held, Mark dropped the hands the case looks bad just now for him. his in resolve set her with I havent got much faith in the Corinterrupted countenance. Pushed delia myself. Still, if Mark had asked I Sue! no! reverently me to loan him the money I would speak Stop, I name that I declare in Gods when have done it. will sink my all before I will risk one He is too proud to ask anybody, to left father dollar of the little your Uncle. Joe, but he shall not ruin himhis orphan girl! self while I can help it. Oh, hurry! It! return But, Mark, you can hurry! or who knows what may hapNo, I say! There, do not let It dispen? Here, Ill go with you. I cant tress you. I cannot do this. stay here in idleness. But listen, Mark; There may be You are excited, my dean Better I have heard it hinted that there is wait for me to report. men. these from to you danger No, no! I am going, uncle; I dont of what it? care what anybody thinks while Mark Well, Do you think I can bear that. is in danger! Come! Mark? She hurried him from the house, and I can take to the low buildings dignified by the Dont fear for me. Sue. care of myself here. We must end this. name of bank in the town of Bright It only troubles you. Go home, Susie, Ore. A few minutes served their j?urr. and be content. Good by. pose there, then they turned their steps toward the Cordelia, Sue had Judged rightly In thinking that Mark had gone to the shaft house when he left her. Dayton had found him there, at his desk in the corner of the rude building, busy over some figures. As Dayton entered lie turned a white face toward him and said: Old fellow, you have done your best, and so have I. but the jig I up now. Mr, Matthews, have you got your Winchester with you! was Daytons response, as he shut and barred the door, Ye. What's up now. Date? A pack of Infernal fools, thats -- what! Here, help me fasten this window', and get your Iron ready, and Dayton fastened both windows as securely as could be done with the rusty hinges. Then he drew his rifle from the pile of plank behind which he had already hidden It, and said, grimly: Now let em come! I reckon we can hold the fort! Well try. returned Mark, coolly. "Date, you were none too soon. They; are coming. I knew that, the Idiots! snapped Dayton. An uproar outside became more distinctly audible every moment. Hoarse voices, tramping feet, groans and curses the angry mob of miners, eager and thirsting for blood. A thundering knocking on the thick door was followed by shouts and cries. We Here, come out, you Inside! like want our money. Show yourself a man! Stand up and face the music, or well string you up to a limb! Dayton, said Mark, with gleaming eyes and low, deep tones, I cant stand this! Open the window! I swear I won't! nor shall you! declared Dayton throwing himself between Mark and the frail shutter. Stand aside, Dayton! commanded Mark. Stand back, while I speak to them. No, I say! shouted Dayton. But Mark thrust him aside and flung open the shutter, boldly facing the infuriated crowd. Perhaps it was the suddenness of his action, perhaps the leveled revolver he held In his hand, but something made them pause an instant in their rush, and Mark seized the in- stant. he Come, be fair to yourselves! said, sternly. What do you want? You know what we want! came from the crowd. Honest wages, thats what! Well, boys, didnt I pay you as long as I had a dollar? Yes; but we cant live on that now! I know you cant See here; I hate Why this thing as bad as you do. a chance? me dont you give You had all the chance you want! growled a surly fellow close to the window. No, I have not. I swear to you all that, if you will stand by me only hours more you shall he twenty-fou- r more than paid! Come, Ill go down and work by the side of the strongest of you with my own hands. What do you say? There seemed signs of relenting among some of the men, and they drew into knots to talk. That seems fair enough, hoys. Shall we try him one more hitch? asked one of the older men. Yes! yes! came from two or three more, but they were drowned out by the rest. No, no! its a black lie! He knows theres no ore in the danged old hole! He wants time to run away! No more fooling! Money! money! or out with the scoundrel! Come on, boys! Now's .. the chance! |