Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1874-05-22


pretty face. A moment and then twas
gone. 1t is no wonder / am growing
womanish. Do you remember what
look there was on her face month ago
when she came here and begged me SO to
give up the road"
Ben did remember, and as he did so
little chill of something like terror crept
over his heart. He tried to rally bis
friend, but he could not make even a
show of the merrimcnt he so little felt
himself
Il think you must have been dream
ing, Maurice Such things do not"
The engineer put up his hand, as if to
check Ben from saying anything further.
II tell you there's no use i'll trying to
make me think that tonight is not the
last time shall ever run the old engine
over this road. If It's, want you to
tell Arly, God bless her that | thought
of her last, for shall. And, well--thats
ALL"
"But why will it not be as bad for me
as for you ! shalfstay by your side"
"No, Ben, you will escape; but | am
doomed"
Ben said no more, but stood there
grasping Maurice's arm, as if afraid to
let him go.
The conductors sharp "All aboard p
rang out, and in moment more the two
friends sprang upon the engine. The
| shrill whistle screamed, the bell rang,
and out into the night the train shot,
sending great glimmer of light far
| ahead on the rails.
Maurice sat with his hand firm on the
lever, straining his eyes along the track,
as if momentarily expecting something
awful to appear.
Ben was by his side in no mood for
talking and almost before he knew it he
fell to thinking over what Maurice had
told him. The threat, or rather intima-
ton, Weston had let fall, he well knew
would be carried out to the fullest extent
of the villains ability.
And the wild route offered many
chance for such fiendish plot 1t really
was no wonder Maurice was superstitous.
Even he, old and experienced as he was,
could not restrain shudder as he thought
of the precious freight behind.
1t was an intensely dark night. Not
star shone from the sky. The long,
gloomy stretch known as Holmes Gulf
was Just ahead, when Maurice motioned
the fireman to his side, whispering has
tily,-
Now watch with me. If that comes
again, twill be soon"
The faithful fellow obeyed, and in
moment more they stood together staring
out on the rail. AT last Maurice spoke,
huskily,-
"Look! Quick. Heaven help me,
there It's p
Ben strained his eyes still harder, and
out on the track few yards ahead
u shadow appeared. For an instant it
stood there, pointing into the inky black
ness Of the gulf, then vanished as if into
mist. Maurice shuddered for a moment,
then with frmer grip clutched the faith
full old lever.
"You saw it, BENZ be whispered,
without turning bis head
eyes"
"There's danger ahead. / know it.
Aye, there It's Sect
Yes, there it was. Scarcely a hundred
yards ahead fully two rods Of the track
had been torn up; and straight on a curve
bent sharply to the right, leading off into
the dark abyss below.
Maurice stood there, stiff as statue,
his hands glued to the iron before him.
"Back the engine, Maurice Quick !
for Gods sake" yelled Ben.
But the engineer stirred not
"Ifs no use; we're doomed"
"Stand back, Maurice? Do you hear?"
He tore the engineer away, and the
next moment the whistle howled the sig
nal for down brakes The heavy wheels
groaned as the brakes Rugged them like
iron vices The drivers rolled backward
as the fireman reversed the steam. Was
it really too late? 1t seemed SO. Fear
fully near they Numbered to the vacan.
space in the rails. A few seconds and
the noble engine. yielding to the master
hand that controlled her, shrieked anew,
and grating along the rails few yards
more, came to a dead pause.
Like one in a dream Maurice got up
from his scat, and, without word, leap
ed down in front Of the engine. He
stood there in silence moment, then fell
to the ground. He was saved Not
yard in advance the frightful rent in the
rail occurred
Il - X Il 4 X
Maurice left the track, yielding his
position to brave, true Ben. He dislikes
to tell the story of that frightful night.
He says if there is anything in Fate it
has surely visited him. - WuUeriy Maya
zine.
There is lady at Benton. Mich, who
subscribed for the Detroit Free Press in
1885, and has been taking it regularly
ever since. The result is, she is now 20
years old, and is in good health. 1t is
astonishing how long person will live
who subscribes regularly and who pays
promptly for good newspaper Ifdoc-