The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-11-06

were boistcd from the standard few rod.
below the draw. If it was closed and al
was right, two red balls signifed the fact t,
the engineers. By night red aud greer
lanterns were substituted for the balls. Fol
two months everything went like clockwork
| had an efficient assistant, who knew " al
the ropes"
saw Florence not unffequently she
often went to the city-and always came
into the Office for her ticket. Once when
the carriage did not come for her from the
cottage, | drove her home in my buggy
and had the felicity of holding her soft
hand moment in mine as | lifted her
out
From the time took possession of the
railway station. Paul Stanford had begun to
manifest a sort Of friendship for me. l
had strong suspicious that it was assumed,
though it seemed real enough. And in.
deed what particular object he could have
in feigning friendship for me which he
did not feel, was at a loss to imagine,
| received his advances with coldness
which would have repulSed most men, but
it seemed to have no effect on him. He
smoked his cigars in my private room, and
read his papers there, and talked to me
in. genial off>hand way-so thoroughly
trien1ly that at times l was ashamed of my
self and my suspicious.
Thinking it over pow, know that by
'hook or by crook" he managed to worn
out of me all the secrets OF my business
if indeed they might be called secrets; but
at that time | did not take notice of bis in
quiries, so gradually were they put.
Meanwhile, | gained the confidence of
tie company-was trustel with large
SUMS of money, and was generally thought
well Of. Mr.. Wayne Invited me to dine at
his house, and Florence sang and played
for me, and | would have been perfectly
happy if Stanford had not made his ap-
pearance and beguiled Florence away from
my side.
One dark fogcv night remember it
was Fiiday, and it was in March-ju.t as
the clock pointed TO ten-the hour when
the Hallidon Express was duel heard
whistles OF Il steamboat, three sharp whistles
and one-a sigual that tic draw must be
opened.
seized the green lantern and out Slit
son was already there TOR lie had been set
tlng the switches and hanging up the all
rglIt signal
"hiase her down, Sttsou," said L and
we took the red lantern down and hooked
on the green one in its place.
"lt's cussed inconvenient having this
steamer come jest at this time" erowlcd
StitsOn "wnn't old Giles"-refering to the
a. Al, .. 1
beng stonped?"
lie opened the draw, and just as lie did
so heard the whistle of the approaching
train. But there was no time to notice it
we were fully occupied with getting the
steamer through. by some mismanage
ON board of her, she loiled, and had TO be
backed, which took up time, and glancing
up ! saw with horror that instead of the
green lantern had hung from the standard
IA moment ago, the red lantern was flying
ou. like the eye of doom
"Great Heaven! !" cried Stitson, follows
ing my g'ance-"thc red light is up and
the train will 20 TO ruin, and the company'll
send us alter EN- Tomorrow -
Like lightning shot through my brain
with fearful rapidity the thought of the
switch. If couli only reach il in time
| could send the train up the steep grade OF
the wood track, and before they reached
the end of it, the engineer would be able
to stop. flew over the rough ground and
laid my hand on the iron rod of the
switch had the key in my pocket,
turned it quickly aud flung back the lever
And simultaneously hand grasped my
throat and voice | knew well hissel in
my ear:
"You mean to thwsrt me but by Heav.
en-, | will Kill you FIRST"
grappled with him, aud we fell to the
ground together And the fierce thunder
of the on coming train drowned all sound
and sense. a hot sulphurous breath of
| flame and smoke swept over me. | fe,t the
gripe of my throat relaxing there fell
period OF comparative silence aud coolness,
aud ever so dimly realized that the train
had run ou to the wood track and had
stopped.
| put out my hand to touch the head Of
Paul Staniord-he, who had sought nv life
but great Heaven. There was no head
on his body. My fingers were clorted with
something warm and sticAy-and overcome
by the teIIibe revelation if made to me |
lost consciousness.
When came to myself, | was lying on
settee in the station, aud great crowd
| filled the room.
l told my story-by degrees as could
remember it, and | could see that my list
ners believed it.
1t was settled beyond doubt that Sanford
had changed the lights, he had been seer
to do it by one ofthe employees of the road
a stupid fellow, who did not think of any
harm coming from it.
His object was plain enough to me
though | never spoke OF it to any one. II,
hated NE he was jealouc of my gaining
popularity, and he wanted to ruin NE il
the estimation OF the company and in tn
estimation of Florence and her father
But he was dead and when 4 tbouubt n