Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-04-05

ward without stopping, with only
whistle of warning. The switch was
set to the branch road; it must be
changed at quarter to seven, or the
: Lightning Express would leave the
track and collide with the Accom-
modation," calmly waiting it in fancied
security. Yes-JohD Walker had de-
liberately laid his plans to ruin me
and Barbara-could it be possible that
Barbara's sweet frankness, her un-
wonted presence, her warning, were
part of his fendish conspiracy to di-
vert my attention, and vile me away
from the post of duty? Was Barba-
ra in his interest? and had l been
doubly deceived? As [ stood there
perfectly motionless, with cold drops
oozing out upon my brow and a fro
zen sort ofrigidity at my heart, I could
almost see the shattered cars, the
Shapeless, splintered ruin, the crushed
machinery, the CHASTITY faces upturned
to the glowing purple of the fair twi-
light sky; could hear the shrieks
and groans and dying gasps through
the dull continuous roar that seemed
to surge across my brain And II
should have been the unconscious MUIR
derer, the guiltless criminal! O God
of all mercies Was there no way
of averting the impending shadow Of
this awful catastrophe?
All this was through in a second
and before the chimes had ceased ring
ing the final stroke Of seven | bound
ed from the room. Ny usual route
down to the switch was a foot-path,
steep and narrow, that skirted the
edge OF the precipitous hills; but
there was nearer and much more di-
rect way, through dense underground
and matted briers and bushes, thro
which | plunged, needless of tearing
thornS and tangled branches which
seemed to impede my progress with
almost human malice. As | ran my
speed was accelerated by the shrill
whistle of the approaching accommo
datinn train. | did not mind that
the accommodation would stop on its
track and wait for the lightning ex
press to pass; but had not a second
to spare, for usually the whistle of the
lightning was heard as if it were the
echo Of the other, so nearly simulta
neous were they due at Branhill juno
ton. As | neared the track witt
breath that came in short, painting
Sobs and laboring pulses, | saw, as i
were, through a scarlet mist of blood
the white, starry CLEAN of the signal
lamp in its accustomed place-the "al
right token to the engineer of tht
, lightning train!
Whose hand had so foully Lighted
that treacherous star of doom?
As | ran had searched for the ke,
of the switch-lock. 1t was safe.
: sprang to the track, hurting down tn
, signal with vehemence that shivere,
the strong glass to a thousand atoms
| | thrust the key into the lock and III
! locked the switch. Great Heavens
: the lever was immovablc! The Vi
} lain had done his work completed,
: and with a small wooden wedge dri7
en- firmly between the lever and til
: iron frame work of the switch ha
/ made the movement Of the former in
e possible. The loud shrek of the no
approaching train gave me addition;
strength in vain, for | could not NOV
+ the rails. Walker and Barbara w
', cliffe had neglected no one link in tt
e chain of their detestable plot. Or
instant | stood, in the utter abando
ii ment of despair. In the same teri
e. BILE instant the glare Of the thunde
d ing train flashed on the track al
IS lighted it up with painful brillianc
ir and | saw, as | knew that the raj
l. were wrong. While my mind seem,
1T to give way before the terrible doc
m which | had no power to avert,
le notwithstanding voice sounded clio
in my ear, and heavy iron impleme
ot was thrust into my hands. | did n
ot see her, but [ knew who it was.
,o did not see the implement which
he grasped, but | knew there W
" strength in it.
I "Reuben! Reuben! Quick it
oi- the crow-bar y
N. Before she had finished the wor
q. | had formed my plan of action
VS. had acted. With a powerful blow
struck the iron rod Of the Switch-t
tx thin stem which connected the le'
or and the rails, and which before b
yn moved them, but which now prevent
he them from moving. A single bl
Ks was enough. Iheard the sharp twa
rf Of the iron rod as it snapped. | bo
d ded to the side of the track. Ipla'
NV the crow bar as lever under
cd rail. and was about to move the swift
Of with a laugh of relief, into its pla
when l felt both my arms grapp
ier from behind with hold as firm
alf steel, and | was thrown violently bf
dropping the crow bar as | fell.
J, 7 mot so fast, Reuben Eyre" his
tho the hated voice of John Walker, cl
,ell to my ear. Il will be. revenged
nlv though pretty Barbara has played
md false"
di- / struggled with strength that
nth terward seemed to me well-nigh
pernatural, to free myself from
x clinging grasp, but in vain. He
len drawn me, I suppose unconsciously
ac- the track, and | could already feel
um- meath my feet the thrill and trembl'
cal the firm earth-a sure token the
ous preaching train was nearing US
'urs thought of the unsuspecting passen'
ow. whose fate hung in the balanc
,ise- Were they to perish when help
uin, rescue lay almost within a han