Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-09-19

| intentions, ana the :" Lady ruSllou
over the rails like living, breathing
thing. SOFA
+" How are you getting along
Frank ?" asked Carew, coming along
with his lantern as we left our first
stopping place. a9 1.as
"Oh, splendidly p | answered.
sI have just telegraphed back to
Saldtown we have gained five min.
utes on the q Lightning already"
| "I thought we were gaining" re
piled quietly. But | was very much
excited. The idea of pressing this
magnificent piece of machinery to
it's utmost speed; of eluding the
lightning pursuit Of the express which
followed-pursued US; Of identifying
my own nerves and sinews with the
iron and steel of the ''Lady Franklin,
was exciting in it self, nor had Mac
Leod's wild talk been entirely with
out effect on me. | was not super
stitious; but we all know the mes
meric effect which the strong belief Of
another person, however ill-tounded
that belief may be, invariably exerts
upon the mind. That Macleod firm
| ly believed that he and | were not
alone in this little glazed compart
ment l entertained no doubt; and
his horror reacted upon me, baseless
though | knew it to be.
"I wish we were at B."
thought, leaning my elbows on the
woodwork and gazing out into the
stormy night athwart which our huge
headlight threw as treaming banner O.
lurid light as it rushed along. Al
this instant my shoulder was touched
& Atwater," said Macleod in q
husky. unnatural voice, " if you have
any prayers to say, say them now
Death is very, very near to your
! A cold chill ran through me.
"I am always prepared to meet
death" [ answered, trying to speak
composedly.
Death ?" yes bus not death by
suicide. You will be a suicide, Fran
els Atwater; nor do | wish longer tC
interfere. The hour of grace is past.
ooh! Macleod, don't talk non
sense. Go back in the baggage Cal
and sleep the liquor off,
Liquor? You think I'm drunk
You think I'm mad. You take me tc
be superstitious. | heard you
heard you talking to her. You'd best
keep clear of her young man. You
see this. eh ?" and he drew a huge
knife from his bosom.
Yes, I see it." I answered, laying
my hand on the brake, as if | coulC
use it for defense.
with this [ could have siIenced
you long ago, and saved the victim;
you are sacrificing. But I prefer
not. What is to be is to be; as vel
might | attempt to stem the current
of the Mississippi with a straw as t(
check the tide of Fate with my feeble
hand ! Only would warn you to say
a word or two of prayer before The
fatal moment comes"
Ny heart seemed to stand still
with deadly terror. Was l indeed
shut up in this narrow spot with ;
maniac Would | be murdered be
fore | could call for help" But
remembered that in GOODNESS and pres
ence of mind lay my only chance o
safety, and resolved to abide the re
suit. We were now putting on thC
brakes for our second and last stop
ping place ere we reached B
Macleod sprang out upon the plat
form as we stopped, and went into {
bar-room adjoining the station.
went back and spoke to one of The
brakemen, an athletic Maine man
with thews and sinews of iron, anC
the stature of giant.
Jim,'' | said, in a low voice-hii
name was Jim Torrance wan
you to keep your eye on Macleod
and come on the locomotive with me
He talks and acts very strangely to
night; and he may attempt some vic
lence."
Il saw him draw out that outland
ish knife O his, sir, a minute or two
ago." said Jim, shrewdly. II coul(
easily jerk it away from him whel
we're movin again.
"No, | do not wish you to use force
of any kind unless it is absolutely
necessary. I think he is harmless
but it's just as well to keep a littl,
watch over him"
"He's queer" said Jim. I'll keel
an eye on him."
Once more after ten minutes
stop the little signal-bell sounded
$50 ahead p the brakes moved noisi
| ly, and the wheels began to revolve
Mcleod had not returned to his plac,
by my side, and | began heartily tt
hope that he designed to favor me NJ
more with his society. | was over
Dyed to feel this, and in much lighte
spirits than usual l let on the steam
and was soon going at rapid rate
Three or four hundred yards from
the depot the road ran through deel
cut, and just beyond it was CORES
ponding ''fill" or embankment abou
ten feet high. The engineers, that is
the surveyors" as we mechanical en-
gineers insist, half-sneeringly in call
ing them, had with very bad tast,
made compound curve" here, 81
that before entering the "cut" coult
see nothing in it, and when / was ii
the "cut'' could see nothing beyond
lit. So, of course, we had to go thro
with whistle blowing and usually at ;
slow gait. But feeling in good spirits
Of MooT II o.I +bos