ainful scene they had just witnessed, and therefore
accomplished its purpose.

From the junction Mr. Jones sent some men back to get Harry Mule and
take him to the stable, where his injuries could be examined and his
wounds dressed. He also ordered a report to be made concerning them that
evening. Then the ladies' car was attached to a train of loaded
coal-wagons, and the party were thus taken to the foot of the slope.

As the great wire cable began to strain, and they started slowly up the
slope towards the outer world, both Mrs. Halford and Miss Nellie looked
back regretfully into the mysterious depths behind them.

"I wouldn't have believed that in a few hours this awful place could
exercise such a fascination over me," said the former. "I really hate to
leave it, and wish we were coming down again to-morrow."

"So do I," exclaimed Miss Nellie; "and if I were a boy, I'd study to be
an engineer, and spend my life down among the 'black diamonds' of the
coal-mines."

Did this girl know of the hopes and ambitions of the boy who sat beside
her? This question flashed through his mind; but he quickly answered it
for himself: "Of course not, Derrick Sterling. What a fool you are to
fancy such a thing! She only knows and thinks of you, if she thinks of
you at all, as a mule-driver, such as she has seen a dozen of to-day."

Although the sun had set when they reached the top of the slope, and a
breeze was blowing, the outer air felt oppressively warm after that of
the mine, and the ladies became suddenly aware of a weariness they had
not before felt.

Derrick was made very happy, and almost forgot for a time his sadness at
Harry Mule's pitiable condition, when Mr. Jones invited him to come and
take tea with them. Joyfully accepting the invitation, the lad hastened
home to change his clothes, and the others, walking more slowly gazed
after him.

"I think he's splendid!" exclaimed Miss Nellie, with the outspoken
decision that generally marked the expression of her thoughts; "and I do
hope he will have a chance to become a mining engineer."

"He will, if he keeps on trying for it as he has begun," said her uncle.
"Any boy, no matter if he is born and brought up a gentleman, as Derrick
Sterling certainly was, who goes in at the very bottom of any business,
determined to climb to the top, will find a way to do it."

"I like to see a boy not ashamed to do dirty work, if that is what his
duty calls him to do," said Mrs. Hal