The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-09-09
echoed by another from the opposite direc-

ton.
"My God ~ cried the station master,
"it's the express, and they haven't got
the telegram And rushing into his office,
he grasped the danger flag, and ran with it
on the track to warn the engineer of the
express.
The situation was indeed critical Be-
low was the New York train coming up,
having slackened her speed: while above
the express could just be seen, laundering
along under full head of steam, evidently
under the impression that the other train
was at the station. Oh, if that one would
only hurry and get by the fatal spot, and
on the double track again!
The switch-tender stood at his post ready
to replace the rails; but slower and slower
she came up, until it seemed as if the
engine fairly crawled.
Then there was hiss and screech-the
express dashed past, with white faced
engineer, and the brakemen working at the
brakes for dear life, and frightened faces at
the windows; and then there was horrible
Grassland Fannie had a vision as of chaos;
cars leaping madly into the air, the loud
roar of a bursting boiler, men running
wildly with horror stricken faces; and then
she staggered into the sitting-room again,
and fell, faint and sick, into chair.
But Fannie was not one of the fainting
kind, and in moment there came over her
the thought of her friend-her beautiful
Laura-and that gave her strength.
Stepping to the platform again, she could
see the horrible ruin, the crowd collected
about it, one car in flames, and fearful
shrieks filling the air; and she wrung her
hands to think that she could be of no SER
vice.
Then a tall, light-haired man ran past
| her, and she cried out" Oh, Doctor, Doc
tor Bondy!'
He heard her and stopped for moment,
saying" You here, Miss Fannie ?''
"Oh, yes; doctor, have a friend on the
New York train-oh, for God sake see if
you can find her!''
He looked at her strangely for a moment,
then he said-"they will all be brought
here, and perhaps she is not hurt" And
then he hurried on.
Fannie had noticed the look, and her
face flushed, she thought" How selfish
must have seemed. What is my friend
more than those other poor creatures pr
And then she set herself to waiting.
Soon they began to come. First, few
who were unhurt; soiled ragged, and very
white. Then, some who were helped along
by the villagers-some who were bruised,
bleeding or burned. Then the saddest
sights drew near. Doors and shutters for
improvised litters-and on them stretched
mangling and suffering bodies. And still
Fannie stood and wrung her hands, for her
friend came not yet.
And then she saw the doctor hurrying
towards her, and as he drew near, he said.
" have found your friend, Miss Fannie;
she is very badly injured; had just power
to mention your name, and then tainted
You have the wagon with you?"
And seeing it under the shed, he went
there, Embossed the pony, and drove at once
towards the wreck, telling Fannie to
remain where she was. She could see him
stop, and presently with another man, he
lifted something tenderly into the wagon,
then he led the horse back to where she
stood.
Taking her hand he said, "Miss Fannie
your friend is dangerously hurt, but she
will remain in this faint for some time, and
you can drive her to your house without
risk. l must stay here for the present, and
until other assistance comes tor there are
some who must have instant aid to save
their lives, while her life is not in imme-
date danger. 1 know you to be brave,
true hearted little woman, and can trust
you. Drive gently, and have her placed
at once in bed, cutting her clothes from
her person. If you can pour few drops
of brandy down her throat, do so, and
nothing else until come. I will not be
long behind you. Have you confidence in
yourself?" Fannie gave a great gulp, and
swallowed down her weakness, then she
said, 81 will try, DOCTOR" He said moth
ing more, but pressed her hand, placed her
in the wagon, arranged the silent figure a
little, and Fannie took the reins and
started.
1t was indeed terrible ordeal, after
what she had just passed through; Rest
ing the morbid desire to catch one glimpse
of the face, which the doctor had covered
with veil, she fixed her eyes sternly before
her, and drove tenderly and carefully home
ward. She passed some of the villagers,
and they, perceiving her sad burden, raised
their hats and went silently on. The dis
lance seemed heightened interminably.-
She could hardly contain herself at some
moments. Once she thought that Laura
might be dead-might have passed away
there at her very feet, and again that wild
desire to look at her, came with renewed
force; but she fought it down, and at length,
the pony turned into the carriage-way that
led around the lawn, and presently they
drew up before the door.
The man stood there, and other assist
ance being called-as the story was told in
few words--the poor, bruised and broken
frame was lifted tenderly upon mattrass,
and so carried to the room Fannie had
adorned with such delight, and laid upon
the bed. Her garments were cut from her;
her face was unveiled; and its calm and
placid repose seemed death itself. But no,
her heart still beat, and the stimulant hav-
ing been administered, Fannie sat down by
the bedside with one cold hand in hers,
and then she broke down and relieved her
self with tears.
Half an hour passed, and the doctor had
. not arrived.
The patient was growing restless, for she
| moved uneasily on the bed; and, though
unconscious still, murmured undistinguish-
| able sounds.
! At length the noise of wheels on the
graveled drive came to Fannie's ears, an d.
a moment later, and quick firm tread on
the stairs and along. the hall, betokened
| A.. - r.