The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-05-02

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She took the keys mechanically, and
then turned again 10 gaze after her lover
seated on the last car OF the retreating
train. It had passed out of,the switch
and was crossing the great viaduct and
moving more andmore swiftly away.
10 close and lock the switch was neith-
er difficult nor dangerous, and she quiet.
ly walked on toward the end OF the aid.
Ing till she came t0the sWitch.post. Here
she leaned against the wooden frame for
Il little space, shading her eyes from the
sun with her hand and watching the
train. thad run around the valley and
was turning into the great curve that
crept upward In u long grade over the
hill beyond.
Il was now mile away, and she could
no longer distinguish any one on the cars.
She turned slowly away, seized the iron
bar Of the switch and easily threw II over
into place so 40 10 leave the main line
open for thesne1t train.
She looked back down the road, and
saw that the passenger train had entered
the line from the branch and WIS Just
pulling up at the station 10 diScharge
passengers. II may seem surpriSlng that
a.paSsenger train should be allowed TO
follow n freight train 80 closely.
Bad engineering as this arrangement
was, II was not so serious as it seemed,
for this passenger train did not follow
the freight except for three miles, when
1t reached the end Of itI trip and was
turned of upon a siding.
She turned once more to look after the
retreating freight train. II was in full
view climbing tie grade on the great
curve.
Suddenly she put up both hands to
shade her eyes, and leaned forward on
the switch frame. What had happened +?
Two tiny pufs Of steam rose from the
engine. II was the signal to stop.
All the train has parted Faint and
lar away came the short, sharp danger
whistle. A single car had broken loose
from the train and had been left behind.
TWAS standing alone on the track.
No. II was moving backward. II was
beginning to roll down the grade. 1t was
moving faster and faster. There was n
man upon it-her lover.
Involuntary she spread out her arms
and let them fall TO her side three or
four times in suCcession-the signal TO
put on the brakes.
allow 'foolishh lie can nor see MS
and" She leaned against the switch
frame and shook with fear and agony.
The brake was broken.
Swift and swiiter rolled the disabled
car. II was coming down the track,
gaining speed at every rod.
She sprRng to the middle Of the track
and tried to Shout to the engineer Of the
train at the station. She made the mo.
tions to back down out Of danger. Her
tongue Glove to the roof Of her mouth
and her cry became an inarticuIate moan.
Onward came the car. She could see
her lover upon it franticalIy waving his
arms from right to lett. What did it
mean Her brain seemed to be on fire.
She could do nothing bnl gaze on the
advancing car in dumb horror.
All The passengers Could she not
save them?
With violent wrench she opened the
switch again and stood holding the bar
in both hands. Better so-bsiter one
life lost than = dozen. Her feet seemed
boiled TO the ground. She must stay and
see him killed and by her own hand.
The rails began to murmui with the
tread OF the advancing car now rushing
furiously onward to destruction.
All! why had she not thought OF 1t be.
fore?
The Cross.over switch! Could she
reach it IN time she might save him.
She snatched the key from the switch and
ran with frantic speed up the line. She
never knew how she opened that switch.
With means and cries she threw herself
across the line and began to run down
the other side. Could she reach that
switch before the car? Its roaring rang
in her ears. Painting with almost burst.
ing bosom she reached the switch, opened
1t and stood Clinging TO it as the car came
laundering over the viadnCt.
She looked up at her lover upon the
ear. He had seen and understood the
change in the switches. LIls car, helpless
though it was, would cross over TO the
down track and roll hArmesSly along the
level line till its force was spent. He was
saved, and by her ready wit and skill.
The passengers in the train were also
saved.
She had saved him Love had been
her inspiration.
Great Heavens! what's that? The OK.
press! The down express was coming.
All was in vain. He was lost She
saw him throw up his arms in despair,
The very plan she had devised to save
him would be his destruction. Better
far 10 have thrown him of upon the sid
ing, as she had intended. Now he would
meet more dreadful death and the de-
struCtion would include scores Of lives
instead Of a dozen.
All this flashed through her mind like
Is lightning. She felt her knees give way
beneath her, and she chung to the switch
in despair. She shut her eyes TO hide the
coming disaster.
Hark The whistle on the express.
They had seen the imminent collision,
and were doing their best to ayert.it.
She, too, must do something. With "a
bound she sprang to the next switch, tore
il opelf and stood painting and moaning
beside il with the bar in her hand. She
must save the train even II she buried her
lover under the sPlintered wreck Of the
car.
Onward cawe the car, laundering over
the yiaducL and just ahead Of the train,
turned quickly at the switch crossed over
and shot by her into the siding. lie had
one look ut her upturned face, II was
full Of love and helpless misery. She
was sending him to certain desiruc,ion-
TO save the express train.
The instant the car passed she closed
the switch, and sprang back again 10 The
other switch and closed it just in time
to see the express train sweep past in
safety.
In an instant the helpless car ran into
the freight,houSe with an awful splinter.
ing crash. The express pulled up oppo.
site the station, and in moment crowd
OF people ran shouting and frantic up the