pt by the three
or four who alone knew it, and who knew too that his life would not be
safe for a day did the colliers, groaning and smarting over their
terrible injuries, discover to whom they were indebted for them.

CHAPTER XII.

AFTER THE STRIKE.

"Well, Jack, so you're back again," Nelly Hardy said as she met Jack
Simpson on his way home from work on the first day after his return.

"Ay, Nelly, and glad to see you. How have things gone on?" and he nodded
towards her home.

"Better than I ever knew them," the girl said. "When father could not
afford to buy drink we had better times than I have ever known. It was a
thousand times better to starve than as 'twas before. He's laid up
still; you nigh scalded him to death, Jack, and I doubt he'll never be
fit for work again."

"I," Jack exclaimed, astounded, for he believed that the secret was
known only to his mother, Harry, John Ratcliffe, Mr. Merton and perhaps
the schoolmaster's daughter.

"Has Harry--"

"No, Harry has not said a word. Oh, Jack, I didn't think it of you. You
call me a friend and keep this a secret, you let Harry know it and say
nowt to me. I did not think it of you," and the dark eyes filled with
tears.

"But if Harry did not tell you, how--"

"As if I wanted telling," she said indignantly. "Who would have dared do
it but you? Didn't I know you were here an hour or two before, and you
think I needed telling who it was as faced all the pitmen? and to think
you hid it from me! Didn't you think I could be trusted? couldn't I have
gone to fetch the redcoats for you? couldn't I have sat by you in the
engine-house, and waited and held your hand when you stood against them
all? oh, Jack!" and for the first time since their friendship had been
pledged, nearly four years before, Jack saw Nelly burst into tears.

"I didn't mean unkind, Nell, I didn't, indeed, and if I had wanted
another messenger I would have come to you. Don't I know you are as true
as steel? Come, lass, don't take on. I would have sent thee instead o'
Harry only I thought he could run fastest. Girls' wind ain't as good as
lads'."

"And you didn't doubt I'd do it, Jack?"

"Not for a moment," Jack said. "I would have trusted thee as much as
Harry."

"Well then, I forgive you, Jack, but if ever you get in danger again,
and doant let me know, I'll never speak a word to you again."

In the years which had passed since this friendship began Nelly Hardy
had greatly chang