in the glorious light of day？〃
〃No； Harry；〃 replied the girl； 〃I shall like to think about it； but I am glad to go back with you to our dear old home。〃
〃Nell！〃 said Harry； vainly attempting to steady his voice； 〃are you willing to be bound to me by the most sacred tie？ Could you marry me； Nell？〃
〃Yes； Harry； I could； if you are sure that I am able to make you happy；〃 answered the maiden； raising her innocent eyes to his。
Scarcely had she pronounced these words when an unaccountable phenomenon took place。 The Rob Roy； still half a mile from land； experienced a violent shock。 She suddenly grounded。 No efforts of the engine could move her。
The cause of this accident was simply that Loch Katrine was all at once emptied； as though an enormous fissure had opened in its bed。 In a few seconds it had the appearance of a sea beach at low water。 Nearly the whole of its contents had vanished into the bosom of the earth。
〃My friends！〃 exclaimed James Starr； as the cause of this marvel became suddenly clear to him； 〃God help New Aberfoyle！〃
CHAPTER XVI A FINAL THREAT
ON that day； in the colliery of New Aberfoyle； work was going on in the usual regular way。 In the distance could be heard the crash of great charges of dynamite； by which the carboniferous rocks were blasted。 Here masses of coal were loosened by pick…ax and crowbar； there the perforating machines； with their harsh grating； bored through the masses of sandstone and