Nebraska advertiser., 1875-12-16
He laughed.

A few minutes later, freight No. 8:
was OH its way. ice at his accustomed
post, and Mark in his old Office of fire
man.
"Now, what's the instructions
Joe?" said Mark, much more cheer
fully, his spirits rising with the speed
they were making, as they tore along
through the dismal night.
well, we go on here as we can, till
we reach Clear Spring, and there we
pull over the south siding, and let No
S0express pass, and then we have the
right of way all the rest of the route u
after Clear Spring, there is no sid
ing until we reach Apsley Junction,
seven miles beyond"
None We wait sixteen minutes,
Unnecessary, if at Clear SPRING" replied
Joe, decisively.
"All right. By The way, haven I
had drink to-day brought.a flask
along" said Mark, producing the ar
ticle, and unscrewiug the top, which
formed a cup. Take nip. Cold
night; twon't hurt you"
Joe shook his head.
Il never touch it when I'm on du-
+ ty."
"Once in awhile won't hurt you,
Joe. It's good stuff, and can't DO you
any HARM"
We'll; perhaps one drink WON'T
hurt. Your health
He drank. Five minutes afterwards
he was es Incapable of exercising his
faculties as if he had swallowed a
quart. His brain reeled, his sight be-
came dim, his limbs relaxed, and he
fell helpless upon the bench built
against the side of the little cab.
A lurid triumph filled the eyes OF
Mark MaldOn. He dung the bottle
out of the window, and seized the
handle that governed the movement
of the locomotive.
Il have owed you long debt, Joe, .
he shouted above the roar of the
wheels, land now / can pay it with
compound interest! You took every
thing from me, and made me what |
am, and now fate gives me my re-
venge !"
Joe was Incapable of moving, but
his senses in some respects remained.
what are you going to do?" he
gasped.
You shall seer'-
The wretch pulled the lever, aud
the engine Ieaped suddenly as horse
bounds when pricked with spur
Every pound Of steam she could bear
with safety from instantaneous explo-
sion was put on, aud the train dashed
forward at lightning speed.
Remember Clear Spring siding %
gasped Joe.
Il shall remem Der to pass 1t - yell
ed Mark, with demonlac joy, above
the clatter and crashing of the ma
chinery. 81 looked into your home
tonight, Joe Thurston, and saw your
happiness, and then asked myself
where was my home and where was
my happiness? l saw your wife-the
woman [ loved, and of whom you
robbed me. 1t was comfortable re-
fiection-all that love and peace for
you, all the shame and dispair for me !!
My chance to get even came before |
dreamed of. You are in my power
now. and I'll use it. We both die to-
night"
He stopped, and seized Thurston's
watch.
Every minute brings Us nearer
death. Ha! ha! We are at Clear
Spring already" he cried. glancing
out "but we don t stop. No. no! We
go Oh till we smash into the express,
and be ground into atoms"
This horrible design seemed to So
Der Joe, somewhat. He at least COM
pretended it.
My God, Mark, have mercy" he
cried. Think of nay poor wife. Re
verse the engine or We are lost"
Il do think of your wife, and that
nerves me to go to my death smiling
and joyously, because you go with
me-" returned the fiend. More
steam, more steam, if we blow up!-
What care ?'
He turned TO the coal tender. There
was flash in his face, a report rang
out. and he tOttered, and dropped
down among the wheels. Something
hot spurted upward-blood-and the
train iolted.
A woman clambered down from
among the coal. It was Jennie, pa. e
as death, revolver in hand.
lyon Jennie!" moaned Joe, ''or is
it a fancy?'
at is l, Joe. 1 distrusted that man,
you remember, and before the train
left armed myself and sprang on the
last car. You made such speed that
have been all this time getting here.
was not used to running along the
roofs, you know. and leaping from
one car to another; but lsere l am,
just in time"
"God bless you darling; but fear
it is too late. Where is my watch ?''
That villain took it with him.
when be dropped under the wheels.
What is 10 be done ?"
1--WE must go on just as we are 60
ing now. If we can't reach Apsley
junction before the express, We are
| lost
And still they tore on through the
murky night, plunging deathward ev-
cry second.
Jennie looked steadily ahead.
Il see lantern, Joe."