The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1867-04-24
II Thought we were rainipgo / re


Of the express train which followed-pur
sued us; Of identifying my own nerves
and sinews with the iron and steel Of the
LADY Franklin" was exciting in itself !;
nor had MaeLeod's wild talk be entirely
without effect on me. / was not supersti.
tious; but we all know the mesmeric cf.
feet which tho strong belief of another
person, however i'll founded that belief
may be, invariably exerts on the mind
That Macleod firmly believed that he and
I we're not alone in this little glazed com.
partmeht l entertained no doubt, and his
horror reacted upon me, baseless thought
| knew it to be. 't
al wish we were at B." thought,
leaning my elbows on the wood work and
gazing out into the stormy night, athwart
which our huge headlight as it rushed
along, At that instant my shoulder was
touched.
"AtBater," said Macleod, in husky,
unnatural voice, "if ycu have any prayers
to say, say them now. Death is very
near to you'll
A cold chill ran through me.
81 am always prepared to meet death,
| answered, trying to speak composcdly.'
"Death'! yes, but not death by suidide.
You will be suicide, Frances Atwater I;
nor do wish longer to interfere. The
hour Of grace is past"
"Oh, Macleod don't talk nonsense
Go back in the baggage car and sleep the
liquor off,"
"LiquorY You think I'm drunk. You
think I'm mad. You take me to be su.
perstitious. I heard you'll heard you
talking to her. You best keep clear Of
her, young man. You see this, eh 7" and
he drew hugo knife fr,m his bosom,
"Yes, / sse it," l answered laying my
hand on the brake, as if could use it fol
defense.
"With this I could have silenced you
long ago, and saved the victims you are
sacrificing. But I prefer not. What is to
be is to be; as we'll might ] attempt to
stem the current Of the Mississippi with
straw as to check the tide Of Fate will
my feeble hand Only I would warn yov
to say word Or two Of prayer before the
fatal moment comes"
My heart seemed to stand still with
deadly terror. Was indeed shut up in
ths narrow spot with maniacY Would
| be murdered before / could call fol-
helpY But remembered that in cool
ness and presence of mind lay my only
chance Of safety, and resolved to abide
the result. We were now putting on
brukes for our second and last place ere
we reached B.. Macleod sprang out
upon the platform as we stopped, and
went into bar-room adjoining the sta
ton. | went back and spike TO ore Of
the brakesmen, an athletic Maine man,
with sienws and sincws of iron, and the
stature of a giant.
"Jim," I said in low tone of voice
his name was Jim Torrance-"l want YOU
to keep your eye on Macleod, and come
on the locomotive with me, He talks
aud acts very strangely tonight; and he
may attempt some violence"
II saw him drow out that outlandish
knife of his, sir, minute or two ago.
said jim, shrewdly. l could easily Jerk
it away from him when we're moviu
again"
"No, I do not wish you to use forco Of
any kind unless it is absolutely necessary
think he is harmless, but it is just as
we'll to keep'a little watch over him.
"Hesquser," said jim. I'llhave an eye
on him"
Once more after ten minutes stop the
little signal bell sounded "Go ahead p
the brake moved noisily, and the wheels
began to revolve. Macleod had not re.
turned to his place by my side, and be.
| iau heartily to hope that he designed to
favor me with no. more Of his society.
was overjoyed to feel this, and in much
lighter spirits than usual I let on steam
and was soon going at rapid rate. Three
or four hundred yards from the depot the
yopd il was correspopdipp a6lp; or am.
5apkment about ten feet bipb, Tho an.
gineers, that 10 the Ysurveynro," as we
mechanical en- aipeers insist. half speer
ipaly in calling them. had with verv had
TASTE made a neompouod ourveo here o so
that besoae entering tho ''cut" | could sec
nothing 10 it, and when was in the "cut"
I oould see no,bing bsvond n % .,
course. wa had 70 90 through with wb,.,
lie blovippSaud usually a a allow gait =
Bul feeling ia GOOD sbirits AZ M,cIeoa,,
absence tbe prospeot Of a good rnn bsv.
ing the "Lady" in fne condition, . with