Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-09-22

Hetty He talked with her pleasantly,
mentioned not his fears, but watched the
engineer without ceasing.
The train moved off after its usual halt,
and was soon rushing through tho dense
tog.
The engineer conversed for few min
utes W hen he became sullen and stood in
the door with his back to the lovers.
What's the matter with John p
asked lletty, in y whisper.
Her question drew II secret from the
young ireman's heart. In whisper he
narrated the scene in the groggery, aud
told her the engine was under the care of
Il drunken man.
The tair cheeks grew pale at this. and
Hetty's hand dtopped upon her lovers
arm
John, we must take the Rigoletta
safely 10 Hamilton !" she said with firm
ness. "Think ! Our good Governor is
on board, and there are women and chill
dren in the sleeping cars"
He nodded, aud said, "Yes, lIetty,"
without taking his eyes from the engi
neer.
1--WE ought to find signals in this
fog ~ she said, for, from her lover. Het-
ty hud learned much about the iron
track.
"If there be danger we will find them"
he answered her. "The Governors
presence insures the extra precautions.
and expect to hear the signals before
we reach Hamilton. Whv, in this awful
fog, which seems like ,hroui of triple
thickness, we couldn't SEQ head ght
fifty feet before Us"
At that m ,mant Nixon turned and
looked nj the guage.
Then he threw open the furnace door,
Wood !" he Aconlcaly ,nld to the fire.
man, who looked at Hetly and turned To
the tender.
"John, aren't we going fast enough
through this fog ?" she >aid to the engi-
neer, IN II soft, half pleading Zone.
"l'm the engineer of the Rigoetta,"
he answered her, not harshly, but with II
smile.
But the Governors on board"
He's no better than John Nixon !"
"JOhn, we might collide with another
train"
In that event the Rigoletta would be
Knocked out Of shape. I've run through
worse fogs than this, and" in lower
voice as he turned away, "I'll run as
please il We burst the boiler T.
Hetty with paIid lace saw Julius i'll
the furnace anew aud reseNt himself at
her side.
The speed of the engine increased, and
John Nixon mad with brandy, watched
the pointers of the guage.
"Why don't Bradley ring down to
slower time :" a.krd lletty.
"IIe's having II good time with the
Governors party, and then he's got all
the confidence in the world in John"
On, still on, through the cold fog that
made Helty wrap her shawl about her
shoulders and shiver, even then, went the
engine, growing rs mad rs its drunken
master.
Suddenly strange report that seemed
to emnete from beneath the very wheels
OF the engine fell upon the lovers ear.
Julius Baird sprang to his feet.
"The fog signal !" he cried, aud look
ed at Nixon.
"W Whnt's up young man ?'' said the
engineer. looking At him with wild ewes
! that would have made some believe that
their owner was maniac. Sit down
with your d1ll-faced girl. IN run the
Rignletta."
"John, didn't you hear the fog sig
na ?" said .he fireman.
No, nor you eithe.. We're all
right"
"There | the second one !" cried JUL
Us, as report exactly like the first fell
npon hi ears. "Thnt means stop"
! IF you' re running this train | want
to zee your commission Of authority I"
said the mad engineer.
a. am not running it," replied the
youth, quite calmly. You know the
code Of the rond ~ well, perhaps better
than | do. You know all about the fog
signals. The first means run slower, the
second, stop, the third, stop ut all haz-
ards--there's danger ahead -
What's that you're trying to tell
/ a A
signals (! You shsn't dictate TO me be-
cause you've got your sweetheart along
with you TO night. Now keep your
mouth shut, or"
He never finished tho threat, but laid
his hand on heavy wrench, and looked
daggers st the youth.
The last word bad scarcely left the en-
gineer's lips when the third and last fog
signal sounded more distinct than tho
others. The wheels had crushed the cap
ON the iron rails but john Nixon paid
no heed to IT,
He's orazed with drink :" -aid JUL
Us, moving toward Hrtty McFarinnd,
"and he's driving the train right into
some terrible accident. The rains may
have swept the river bridge awny we
must be very near it now"
The minute that followed was one Of
agony.
At the end thereof, the engineer threw
open the furnace, ard turning to his fire.
man snid
Wood I wood and be quick about
| il too !"
julius was leaving the cushion, when
Hetty suddenly sprang 10 her feet. and
drew small revolver from her pocket.
stop the tram 7" she cried, pointing