The Red Cloud chief., 1877-09-06

>S
Flyaway.
The bell rang; / scrambled into my
compartment on the Pullman, and fell
horribly out of place among the silks
and broadclOths and smell of musk ;but
l was in for a first-clasS ride and made
the best Of it so effectually that five
minutes after, Gibson, who nov fancies
he owns all creation because he has got
a silver coffin plate on his breast, with
conductor on it, had shouted "all
aboard"I was sound asleep.
What occurred in other quarters tC
affect the fate of Kirke's train l learn.
| ed afterward.
Old Whately, the superintendent OF
the road, a. l guess l have already said
had a country residence in Leeds on a
mountain spur, which commanded a
view of the surrounding country for
more than a score of miles. The line
of the railway could be distinctly seer
in each direction for fifteen miles, and
Whately was wont to say that his look
out was worth more to the safety of
trains than all the telegraph wires on
the road.
Whately vas a rich old buffer, kind
enough in his way, but sharp as a fer
ret in looking after the road hands, and
determined that every man should do
his duty.
He had but one child, a daughter land
Floss Whately was the belle of the
country. She was brave, beautiful and
spirited, and more than once when her
father had been away, bad she assumed
the responsibility of directing the trains
and she had always acquitted herself
with credit.
Old Whately was very proud of her
as he had a right to be, and kept all the
young fellows at a distance, until it
was said that he intended keeping his
daughter single till the Car of all the
Russians came on to marry her.
This night in November old Whately
and Floss were out on the piazza of
their country home, peering through
the gloom and fog for the signal lights
of the GOlOsha train, which was nearly
due.
ats devilish strange it doesn't come
in sight" said Whately, laying down
his night glass in disgust. 1T is hard
on to ten now! They ought to show
their light round Spruce Pond by this
time"
You telegraphed them, father? You
let them know the pay train was on the
rOad?" asked Floss.
"Te be sure. And good heavens,
there is the head light Oh the pay train
now! See, not ten miles away and
running like the devil, as it always
does!
He pointed with trembling finger
down the valley forge, where, far away,
a mere speck in the gloom, could be
seen a bright light, scarcely moving, it
seemed, but those anxious watchers
knew it was approaching at lightning
speed. Father and daughter looked at
each other. The truth was evident.
For some reason the train from
Golosha was ten minutes behind time,
and it would not reach the siding at
Deerlng's Cut until the pay train had
passed beyond on the signal track. And
then? Why, there would be another
item for the morning papers to read
under the head of Appalling Rail way
Dlsaster3' and a few more homes would
be madeto mourn. Father and daughter
looked at each other in dismay.
"Selim can do it." said Floss, quickly.
IF l can reach Leeds five minutes
before the train-yes, two minutes all
will be we'll. Do not stop me, father
she said as he laid his hand on her arm.
But you must not go! 1t is dark and
dismally lonely. No, Floss
shall l 60, father? Selim knows
only me. and you could not ride him. l
have ridden darker nights. And he is
the only horse in the stable. Don't you
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 riding habit with rapid, nervous
The horse came paving to the door.
Floss sprang into the saddle, leaned
down and kissed her fathers forehead.
spray Heaven to spare me-" she cried
hoarsely, and touching her horse with
her whip. he bounded swiftly down the
sharp declivity.
1t was raining steadily now and the
gloom was intense, but Selim was used
% the road, and the rider was cour-
She urged him on at the top
# his speed, up hill and down through
Pine Valley, over Pulpit Hill, and then
he struck upon the smooth road which
tretched away to the Leeds, some two
niles, and straight as an arrow.
She could see the headlight on the
ay train far down in the valley dis
inctly now, and to her excited fancy it
eemed but q stones throw away. She
ven thought for a moment that she
card the grind of the wheels On the