that Simon had said to the
engineer on his first visit to the old cottage, "How can our son ever
think of marrying? Where could a wife possibly be found suitable for a
lad whose whole life must be passed in the depths of a coal mine?"

Well! now it seemed as if the most desirable companion in the world had
been led to him by Providence. Was not this like a blessing direct from
Heaven? So the old man made up his mind that, if the wedding did take
place, the miners of New Aberfoyle should have a merry-making at Coal
Town, which they would never during their lives forget. Simon Ford
little knew what he was saying!

It must be remarked that another person wished for this union of Harry
and Nell as much as Simon did--and that was James Starr, the engineer.
Of course he was really interested in the happiness of the two young
people. But another motive, connected with wider interests, influenced
him to desire it.

It has been said that James Starr continued to entertain a certain
amount of apprehension, although for the present nothing appeared to
justify it. Yet that which had been might again be. This mystery about
the new cutting--Nell was evidently the only person acquainted with it.
Now, if fresh dangers were in store for the miners of Aberfoyle, how
were they possibly to be guarded against, without so much as knowing the
cause of them?

"Nell has persisted in keeping silence," said James Starr very often,
"but what she has concealed from others, she will not long hide from her
husband. Any danger would be danger to Harry as well as to the rest
of us. Therefore, a marriage which brings happiness to the lovers, and
safety to their friends, will be a good marriage, if ever there is such
a thing here below."

Thus, not illogically, reasoned James Starr. He communicated his ideas
to old Simon, who decidedly appreciated them. Nothing, then, appeared to
stand in the way of the match. What, in fact, was there to prevent it?
They loved each other; the parents desired nothing better for their son.
Harry's comrades envied his good fortune, but freely acknowledged that
he deserved it. The maiden depended on no one else, and had but to give
the consent of her own heart.

Why, then, if there were none to place obstacles in the way of this
union--why, as night came on, and, the labors of the day being over, the
electric lights in the mine were extinguished, and all the inhabitants
of Coal Town at rest within their dwellings--wh