Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-04-22

ing instinct of self preservation compelled
one more wild rapid look around for help and
means Of escape. Her eyes fell on her drum
ken murderer's face. Oh, the undesirable
sunrise and horror She was in the pollut- /
ed arms Of Andrew.
A situation more appalling, more olectriiy- 4
ing more completely hopeless and painful
cannot be imagined She had been wasting,
diving on his account, and now he was mcon-
scionsy to be the cause Of her awful dcstruc-
ton. The end of his revolving carcer-the
answer to her many earnest, yeaming, pas
siouate prayers for reformation, and their re-
union was about to be death--cruel, violent,
dishonorabe DEATH With one horrible grind
ing crash. they were going--he to the drunk
ards dreary doom, and she to unwilling, use
less martyrdom.
An instant more, and then, like the light
ninp's fash came the thought | cannot bear
it. aud it shall not be. lie shall not die A
spasm, not Of fear, but of will, shook her
frail frame All her latent powers were arous-
ed. Instantly her delicate muscles became
hard as iron and strong as steel and with one
heroic mighty spring, She rolled him and her
self from the track. The train dashed by.
y minute NNIts AllN WIS riNlINAt anu NNN-
ductor, engineer, hremen brakcmen. and pas
sengors rushed to their assistance. Having
released her from his foul embrace, and as
ccrtaned that he was in the lowest stage of
ntoxication, and She uniniurcd, the inquiry
was eagerly made how they came here In
as few words as possible Annie told the SIM
pie facts in the case, except the recognition
of her lover. That, maiden modesty conceal
ed The tale was too strange for credencc
All doubted and some snccrcd. stu IL
was evident she was sober and intelligent, and
had saved the life Of drunken man at the
immediate risk of her own There was brief
clatter Of excited voices, and then Good
Samaritan gentleman said he resided in the
village, and knew the lady whom Annie called
aunt to be one of the best women ia town.
If they would carry the still helpless inebri-
ate to the depot he would see the agitated
young lady home TO this all agreed. An
drew was turablcd without ceremony into
baggage ear, Annie was voted heroine aud
rs the train moved on there rang ont cheers
for her and curses for him.
Annie's intense excitement sustained her
I'LL she reached home and lay down in bed.
Then came the semi-swoon Of reaction. All
night she tossed and painted in delirious
dreams and wakeful agonie- Asleep or
awake, the images Of terror haunted her
brain. In the morning she could scarcely
stand alone. There was no organic disease ;
but the last feeble hope had gone and life it.
self was burden.
Andrew was carried TO the village depot,
laid on q wooden bench in the " Gentleman,
ROOM" and left to doze off his incbriote stu
por. Late in the morning he awoke, stiff,
sore and dizzy, and tried TO think how he
came there His muddy brain worked slowly
and poorly. He remembered having stopped
at a hotel the day belore-haying gambled
and drank in the evening till nausmtcd, aud
having gone out to take the air and recruit
Beyond that all was blank The liquor must
have been drugged. Presently the good Sa-
marian came in and kindly addressed him.
4" How do You find yourself this morn
ing?'
Rather unwell and lost"
You had narrow escape last evening"
How? what do you mean STRIP
Young man, you need not try to deceive
ne You know you were drunk last night /
nd but for the heroic efforts of sick young
ldy you would have been crushed to death (
y the train. | was there and attended the
ldy home, and had you brought here But
came not to taunt but to belricnd and coun-
i you"
" 1t cannot be- said Andrew in AN agtated
ut humble voice | can remember nothing
4 the kind"
VI is true, the engineer told me you were
IN the track till the locomotive was within
a rod Of you. lifted you from the noble
woman that saved your life. Your maniac
grasp came near causing her death also
The inebriate turned pale and shuddered
"lf you need assistance" continued the
Good Samaritan, | am ready to help you
But first 20 to the angel that snatched you
from the jaws of death, and solemnly prom
Use her and God that you will reform. She
is a stranger here, but as passed this morn
ing the scene Of the incident, picked up
this card-case, which | presume She dropped.
The cards probably bear her name. She
lives in the white cottage yonder, near the
large orchard
Andrew looked at one Of the delicate little
little slips, and the moment his eye caught the
name Of +" Annie" in that familiar hand.
writing, he sprang to his fee; and groaned
aloud. Then he rapidly questioned the Good
Samaritan. After learning all the particulars
he paced the room in an agony Of shame anC
grief Then he sat down and bowed his head
The tears fell fast. Perhaps he prayed.
An hour after, he pulled the bell of tn,
house where Annie lodged, and her aunt came
to the door.
Is Miss Annic-- stopping hcre?"