Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 December 1890 — THE MASTER OF THE MINE. [ARTICLE]

THE MASTER OF THE MINE.

By Robert Buchanan.

CHAPTER Vll— Continued. *<2ouxuinKyouPSriismart, no emu, ••but you’ll have to got up early before you’re as smart as ms I mean to do ray duty, young man, and so you’ll find a'ore very long.” He leftjwith his curious valediction. I saw neither Reiruff nor Johnson for some days. Then I heard casually that the latter had gone back to London. About a week after his departure, I saw it publicly announced that arrangements had been made with George Redruth. Esq., the proprietor, to turn the St Gur.ott's copper-mins Into a joint stock company, the said George Redruth, Esq., receiving half ttgß purchase-money and retaining the other half in fully paid-up shares. Nothing was said about the precise amount of commission money which went into the pocket of Mr. E. S, Johnson, but the name of that worthy teas down on the prospectus as surveyor and inspecting engineer, and I had no doubt whatever in nay own mind that he had made a verry excellent bargain.

/ , CHAPTER VIII. ' I PLAY THE srr. A little after the establishment of the London company, Johnson came ’ down to St. Gurlott’s and took lodgings In a farmhouse in the neighborhood. After what hud occurred, I expected to receive my conge at once, but although the stranger was formally installed as resident inspector and supervisor, no attempt was mado as yet to remove me from tny former position. The fact was, I believe, that Johnson had too iittle conlldenee in his own practical knowledge, to suy nothing of his own eourage.to undertake willingly the perilous duties of overseer.

So greatly did I resent his presence, however, that I at first resolved to resign; but yielding to the entreaties of my unjle and the p ray era at n ifto ~ Tremained. I soon saw that Johnson was completely in young Redruth's confidence—was, in fact, his ssrvaut, spy. and general familiar. Un ler hia advice nothing whatever was done to amend the condition of affairs in the mine, the fittings and the machinery of which remained as dilapidated as ever. On my own responsibility,however, I closed up the dangerous outer galleries, and forbade the men.on pain of dismissal, from working the oro in that direction. Although Johnson beard of this,and doubtless reported it to his superior, neither o! them made any commun cation to me or the sub-ject-just then. I must now turn from the affairs of the mine to my own quiet life at home in my uncle’s house—which will lead me, rapidly enough, back to young G sorgo i.edrmh. I noticed for several weeks that some Important secret communion was going on between my uncle and aunt. What it was about I couldn’t guess,hut it was * »idently connected in some way with myself. I often caught them looking at me and, when detected,exchanging glances of infinite meaning. I was beginning to think of asking for an explanation, when accident made me acquainted with the whole mystery. I had returned home on evening too late for the ordinary tea, and was sitting taking mine alone, waited on by Annie, a 9 1 had to return to the office again that night, and might probably have to go down the miue. I still wore my miner’s dress, br.t my uncle had changed his, and was sitting contentedly smoking on one side of the fire, while just opposite to him was my aunt, busily darning stockings. The meal over, I got up, lit my pipe, and wished them all good-night. “Don't sit up for me!" I said; “I shall be late to-night.” “Where are you going to, Hugh?” asked Annie, carelessly. “Back to the office. I’ve got to go down the mine again, too.” “Shall you goto the office first," she asLeu, “or down the mine?” I laughed at what I then thought her unmeaning curiosity “Whieh do you think I ought to do first, Mi Curiosity ?’ 1 said. ••Go down the mine,” she answered promptly; “then you could change those things, and do your accounts comfortable-like.” “Upon my word. Annie,” I said, “there’s a world of wisdom in that pretty little head of yours." . I put my arm arouud her shoulders „ —gave her a kiss -at which my aunt and uncle laughed delightedly. ••Good-night all!" I said again. “Annie, 1 shall take your advice and go straight down the mine!” And 1 was off.

I had gone only a little way, when j ■ I suddenly remembsred that certain | account b>oka which I should need ■ that night were in my room at the ' cottage. I hesitated a moment—then j a turned hack to get them. It was : growing rather dark; but that was of > little c usoquenee to me, since I could ; have walked every step of the way ■ blindfolded, and for the des ent into! the mine daylight was of little use. So I strolled slowly back, enjoying my pipe and the freshness of the event n„ air. and when I reached the cot tage it was quite dark. I paused before t* e kitchen window, which was «pen. for the night was sultry, and looked in. My aunt and uncle 6l?-» sat in much the same position they had occupied when I left them, but Annie was gone, i was about to put my head in at the window, and acquaint them with my return, when I beard the mention of tuj own name. “Yea," said my aunt, nodding her head, “i ha’ watched 'em, and I know*

Annie favours Hugh, If ever any lass favoured a lad.” • Well. Ido hope you’m right, Martha, old gal.’ my uncle returned. "He be a good lad, and I shall be glad to call him trry son.” ~ i heard no more—l felt like a mao who had received a knock-down blow, and I staggered underJt a bit. Annie love me?—the old people planning our marriage? It was all so new it took me a time to recover. But was it true? Were they right? Did my cou«in really care for-me? I "glanced back on all the years wahad been together, and I concluded that after all it might be possible. Certainly, Annlo had given no very marked e vidence of 'her love; but thea she wa9 not a demonstrative girl. A quiet lowering of the eyelids, a little pink blush, were more in her line. 7c: TTi

And then of late she had sorely changed. I had noticed that, and Wondered a bit; now the meaning of it seemed clear. A ntue, my uttu cousin Annie, whom I had ever re garded as a s -Jtcr and a child, ha<l developed into a woman, and capable of feeling a woman s love. My thoughts turned from Annie tc myself: I began to analyze my own feelings, and to pronounce upon them. Did I love Annie? Yes, in one sense, no, in another. Yet my affection for her was of that strong deep nature tha ) Tmight have mistaken it for love, i hat one all absorbing episode of my •hool-daysbad never 1 e so, Even then, J| alapseof years, the thought of Wteilne mate my blood tingle in my .-sins,and my heart beat painfully. Of all this the old people knew nothing; they had evidently made up their mind* that Annie and 1 were exactly suited to one aiiother.and ought to bo man anc wife, Whether or not I was glad 01 .. sorry at this discovery 1 could not tell my feelings were a strango mixture which I Could not analyze. Before i had time to inink very deeply 3a the subject! the kitchen door open, d, and Annie herself appeared on the threshold. Though it was dark out of doors, the light in the kitchen showed her to mo distinctly. She wore a loi g black cioak, which she folded tightly around tier shoulders; its hood coven d her head. •

"lam going'aown to the vilage. L shan’t be long,” I herd hearu nor say, in answer to her mother’s question. Then she came out closing the kitchen dour after her. She paused a moment out side; thee she hurried away—l, rather aimlessly, following her. She crossed the high road which led to the village, and took instead a narrow footpath which led by a shortcut 10 the mine. Wondering what could be taking her that way, I continued to follow her. She quickened her pace now, almost to a run. When she got half-way to to the mine, she turned off again, and hastened along with incroased speed towards Grey&lock Tower. Greyßtodk Tower was a ruin, con aisting of three dilapidated ivy-eovered walls and a buttress; It stood on an eminence a few hundred ya:d9 from the seashore, and by the superstitious inhabitants of the village was supposed to be haunted. Even Annie, 1 had suspected till that night, shared in the popular belief. I was the more astonished, therefore, to see her going towards it, alone, on a dark night.and us if her very life depended on he speed. -Having reached the ruin, she paused and stood as if listening. There was a dead silence all round, broken only by the washing of the sea. I crept up in the shadow of the ruin. Presently, I heard a peculiar whistle. Annie said softly: "Yes— lam here.” Then s—figure, that of a man, emerged from the darkness and Joined her. My astonishment at all this was so great that for a time I was utterly unable to move; but from my shadowy, hiding-plaoe I watched the pairj Who the man was I could not tell, the darkness completely concealing his features; but I saw that ho was taller than Annie, and that he was smoking & cigar. «_'■•- They stood close together talking earnestly; but I could not catch a word of what they said. Presently, they begau to move away, and I deemed it time to interfere. In two strides I was between them— Annie uttered a 6eream, the man an oath. But he stoou his ground, and looked into my face. it was now my turn to utter an exclamation. The man was young Redruth, the master of the mine. The contretemps was so complete that for a moment neither of us spoke. Redruth, being the coolest, was the first to speak. ••What are you doing here, Trelawney?" he asked curtly. "1 am here to take my cousin heme, sir,” 1 replied. ‘ “Indeed,” he sneered; "I should have thought you were here to play the spy." •■Even that would be better than playing the villian," I returned. Here Annie, seeing a storm brewing, i interfered. ••Hugh, dear Hugh,” she said, plucking at my sleeve. ! But young Redruth now stepped for--1 ward. I "Don’t agitate yourself, Annie,” he 1 saidcooly. while 1 was ready te knock him down. “And you, 6ir, he added, addressing me, "St ind out of the way; I have business with this your.g lady, and I re .uest you to leave us.” ••And 1 refuse.” i He rai-ed a small cone which he carried and struck‘me across the sboul- ' decs. In a moment I bad wrenched it from hi hand, and with one wellplanted blow I wouid have made him mea-uie his lenghth upon tho ground, but. with another sc earn. Annie rushed forward and stood between us. ••You shall pay for this, you scoundrel.” saiv teY master; and without ano'her word he disappeared into the darkness, AnnU, still frightened and trem-

bling, rushed forward to follow him, but in a moment I was beside her. ‘ You’ll come with mo, Annie,” 1 said, taking her Ijand firmly in mine.. By this time she was trying bitterly. ••Oh. Hugh,” she sobbed, "what have ydu done! You will ruin us all—yourself. father and all of us!” But. I took no heed of her 4 I kept my hold upon her. and led her back across the meadows to the cottage. During the walk no words passed between us. I was silent, expecting sho would give some explanation of the scene I had witnessed; but aB she volunteered none! said nothing. When we reached the cottage gate she paused and spoke.’ • Hugh,” she said, "you won’t tell mother or father—” ••No, nb,” I interrupted her. "Don't fear for me, but I mean to look after you in the future, Annie!” ‘•Don’t b© hard on me, Hugh,” she said piteously. “I meant bo harm. But it will be better for you and father if l epeak to the youag master some- j times.”

‘•You’d best let us manage our own affairs, Annie, and keep yourself to the house; always remember that.” She dried her eyes and composed uersei a bit. and we went in together. The old couple were astonished, but not ill pleased at seeing us in company. They noticed Annie’s pallor, too,and exchanged looks, the meaning •>f which I knew full well. I dreaded .0 be questioned, so when Annie had gone to her room, which she did pretty quickly. I explained that 1 had returned for certain little account beoks, and.having met Annie by the way had brought her in. Then I possessed inyf self of my books and hurried backthe otlice to finish my night’s work. (To be continued.)