Litchfield enquirer., 1877-08-02

sponsibility of directing the trains, and she had always acquitted herself with credit. Old Whately was very proud of her, as he had right to be, and he kept all the young fellows at distance, until it was said that he intended to keep his daugh. ter single until the Czar Cf Russia came on to marry her. .s.. This night in November, old Whately and Floss were out on the piazza of their country home, peering through the gloom for the Golosha train, which was nearly due.
 "It's very strange it doesn't come in sight," said Whately, laying down his night glass in disgust. "It's hard on to ten now! They ought to show their light around Spruce pond by this time!'
 "You telegraphed them, Father! You let them know the pay train was on the road?' asked Floss. ...
 gro be sure And good BsassnsAf there is the headlight of the pay train now! SaAi not tan nnilas away and running like the deuce, as it always does"
 He pointed with trembling finger down to the valley gorge, where, far away, a mere speck in the gloom, could be seen a light, scarcely moving it seemed, ,sabut those anxious watchers knew it was ap- preaching at lightning speed. =,
 Father and daughter looked at each other.
 The truth was evident. For some req. son the train from Golosha was ten minu- tes behind time, and it would not reach the siding at Deering's cut until the pay train had passed beyond on to the single trackl And then? Why. to read under the head of Appalling Railroad Disas- ter, and few more homes would be ren- dered desolate, and 8 few morelhearts would be made to mourn. @
 Father and daughter looked at each other in dismay.
 'Is there timer" asked the old man tremblingly.
 ''selim can do it, said Floss, quick lY.
 eff I can reach Leeds five minutes be- fore the train-yes, two minutes all will be we'll. Do not stop me father!' as he laid hand on her arm.
 "But you must not go! It is dark and dismally lonely! No, Floss!'
 ''I shall go father! Selim knows only me; and you could not ride him. I have ridden darker nights. And he is the only horse in the stable! Don't you remember the others were sent to town yesterday?"
 Before old Whately could stop her, she had ordered the hostler to saddle Selim, and she was already buttoning on her rid. ing habit with rapid, nervous fingers.
 The horse came paving to the door. Floss sprang into the saddle, leaned down and kissed her fathers forehead.
 "Pray Heaven to speed mel" she cried, hoarsely, and touching the horse with her whip, he bounded down the sharp decliv- ity.
 It was raining steadily now, and the gloom was intense. but Selim was used to the road, and he was sure-footed and his rider courageous. She urged him on at the top of his speed, up hill and down, through Pine Valley and over Pulpit Hill, and then she struck upon the smooth road which stretched away to Leeds, two miles, as straight as an arrow.
 She could see the headlight on the pay train far down the valley. distinctly now, and to her excited fancy it seemed but 8 stone's throw away. She even thought for moment that she heard the grind of the wheels on the iron track, but, no! it was only the signing of the wind in the pines.
 On, and still on she went. Selim seem- ed to fly. One might have fancied that he knew his mistress was on an erraud of life and death. The lights of the station were in view-nay, she even saw the sta- tion masters white lantern as he strolled up and down the platform-the white Ian. tern which was to signal the approaching train-to tell them to go on, for all was we'll, on to their doom.
 She dashed across the railway track. flung the rains to an amazed bystander. and, striking the white lantern from the hand of the astonished official, she seized the ominous red lantern from it's hook, and, springing upon the track waved it in the very teeth of the coming train.
 Two sharp, short whistles told her that her signal was seen, and a moment later the train came to stop, and the officers rushed out to learn what it all meant.
 Floss told them in few brief words, and one of themssat the station went for ward to confer with the train from Golus- ha, which had not yet been telegraphed from the next station beyond.
 The man waited fifteen minutes before Kirke's train slid on to the siding, and it was then know that but for the decision of one young girl, the two trains must have collided four miles beyond Deering's Gut.
 When told the story Klrke looked at his watch.
 The man from the station looked at his also.
 Kirke's was ten minutes behind time!
 You want to know how it happened. Certainly you must have guessed. Halli- day dld it, A man was found the next day who confessed to having seen Jack tampering with tho time-pieces in the en- zine house that night, but he had thought nothing of it, he said.
 Jack? Oh, he left town and was last heard of in Australia. His little game was not a success.
 A few months later Kirke was married to Floss Whately, for being ten minutes behind time.