The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-06-30
the MIDNIGHT TRAIN.

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And led it into the Land Of Sleep.
THE MIDNIGHT TRAIN. .
"But, Uncle Royal, I am certain he
will reform" said Hero Lewis. "He has
promised me-" ~
Uncle Lewis looked down with sort
Of mild, sublime pity from the height OF
his six ieet two, upon his pretty niece,
as he stroked her silky hair softly.
t'My poor Here" he said, stwhat is the
word of a drunkard worth?'
20, Uncle, don't use that cruel word.
Don't call him a drunkardp' cried the
girl, shrinking back as from blow.
81 hardly know what other word is
applicable to him, Hero. No, he VIII
never reform. And, child, I'd rather see
you in your grave than marriedto a man
who drinks"
"He has promised" pleaded the girl.
her eyes shining like blue wisttll tears.
"Uncle, oug "A not to give him an
other chanceT" Nh, =
He shook his head.
"My common sense, Hero, says mop
81 hate common sense,o flashed out
Hero.
People always talk about common
sense when they mean to be cold and
hard and cruel. love Harry Rivers and
mean to marry him in spite of the
carping, sneering world"
And Hero went away through the
golden waving of the ears OF ripening
rye, her blue ribbons futtering like pen.
mons in the breeze.
Uncle Royal looked after her with a
countenance. of misgiying.
alike all other girls" he said, "she is
40 fna n ho pxs
if she VIII wreck herself, l can't help
it,"
"Do,you expect Harry to-nightf
Miss Erminia Lewis was what the
world irreverently terms the old maid.
but she was quite young enough at
heart to sympathize in the love affairs of
the sister fifteen years her junior, to
whom she had always stood in the place
Of a mother, and she, too, had soft spot
in her heart for handsome, dissipated
Harry Rivers. She spoke from the win
low while Hero was leaning over the
rate, a scarlet shawl thrown across her
houlders.
'sHe said he would come." was the
lalf hesitating answer.
sit is getting late and cold,o said En-
ninia. BETTER come in to the fire; you
tnow as-weii as 4 do that yoar thrUar is
lot strong."
ssI'll come in minute,o said Hero.
"They were teiitng me down at the
Corners this afternoon" saia Erminia,
'peaking with an effort, shat the rail-
'odd company are going to dischagga
lim from their employ"
Hero turned sharply around.
"To discharge him7 For Whit w
s.For habitual intoxicatioy .Thev s.v
i is not safe to employ al1lan whoywho
s not always himself,sr
ait is slandery cried Hero ho,,v
'It is the work ofIsome base villain who
wants the post himself.n ~
Every probably" )" said Erminia. sadly.
"Only, HEo-don't be vexed with me.
larlingztu tney say Harry has fallen
in wiz that set Of men from the mines.
ara is getting into worse habits than
eyer.v
Hero turned her face away.
"Haye youonly evil tidinss to tell me.
81 would that they were good. for your
sake, sister. But the air is xrowinp
chill; we shall have rain. Had YOU not
better come imp
by aud by. Don't tease me, En-,
minia."
And Erminia, comprehending that at
times solitude 10 the best medicine for a
diseased mind, said nothing more, and
closing the easement, sat down to her
needlework, by the light of lamp.
AT eleven O'Clock punctually she went
to bed, after having ascertained by a
peep through the window that Hero was
still leaning ON the gate, all alone in the
autumn darkness, with red leaves rails.
ing down around her, and the meian-
choly cry OF an owl in the distant woods
lending an additional tinge of mouriul-
ness to the night and the stiffness.
"She'H come in when she is ready.o
thought Erminia. ~ don't like to as
sert any authority over her when she ia
IN one Of these moods"
appearance OF the light from her sisters
that ErmIna had sought her
pillow, then softly gliding through the
gate, she hurried down the road with
he scarlet shawl drawn tightly oyer her
lead.
ssIwili not be deceived and put OFF,
The murmured to herself. "I will find
tut myself whether he is to be trusted
The Miners Arms, at the. corner Of
,hree roads. was all light as she ap-
preached 1t, and from the wide open
easements she could hear the loud
'horus Of a drinking song, the clink Of
glasses and that harsh sound OF besotted
aughter. And lifting trail OF scarlet
eaved woodbines which formed natu-
al curtain to one Of the windows, Hero
lewis peeped in.
With sinking heart, a chill sensation
II despair, she saw Harry Rivers rise,
to his feet with q brimming
ylass in his hand, and propose some
iiccoughing toast, which was received
With noisy applause by the riotous as
|emb1age. Hero did not wait to hear
more. Dropping the woodbines once
more, she hurried away with a white set
ace.
"God help mel God be merciful to
nep she murmured. "For the idol
whom / worshiped has fallen to the
,roundw
just. at that moment the far-off whistle
II train smote through the silence Of the
light--a sudden ghastly possibility took
possession Of HerQ's heart.
"rhe midnight exprossp' she muttered
o herself. s'and he dead drunk at the
,ar-roomw
Hurrying down q steep ravjne, heed
ess of scratching briers and cruelty
,iercipg thorns that rent her dress and
rev blood from her tender flesh, she
prang like Wild deer down the decliy-
ty. soafcely even pausing for breath un-l
II she had reached the iron track In the
alley below, whore . eide rail marked
he intersecting course Of . little freight