The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1878-01-17
About the middle Of the tunnel.

impression OF such place ~ always
one OF intense blackness.
II was their object. 10 do the job
II possible, before the train, due
there 10 half an hour, should reach
the spot.
No word Was spoken after those
few at the mouth Of the tunnel.
They worked silently and swiftly.
An observer might have noticed that
Blackford struck the rail vindictive-
ly, and smiled as the sparks few up.
It was finished, aud Just then the
rumble Of the coming train was
beard.
Between the track which they had
jnst been repairiug-the one on
which the cara wonld pass and the
wall the distsuce was only tso or
three feet, Uncomfortable. Indeed,
TO stand there as the train passed.
"Stay on this side / he hissed.
"What for z asked Wainwright q
o little startled.
because I want you to. I want
10 know what it feels like to stand
here but ] amt going to do it a.
lone
"You can make the experiment il
YOU please. As for the, I shall stand
in the safest place, answered the
other and with . sudden jerk he
released his wrist.
But on the instant, the gigantic
Blackiord caught him around the
waist. and muttered 10 his ear
Steal tho girl | love. will you 7
Worm yourself into nv position "a
engineer. you hound I'll fix you !!
There was no st,king the hate
glittering in the villains dark eyes,
nor the meaning of the words he
had just uttered.
His purpose was TO hold Wain-
right there until the train was upon
them, then to throw his victim in its
way. The other understood now
why this man had been 30 ready 70
accompany him. Perhaps he had
been waiting for such an opportuni'
ty for months. Wainwright could
see, by the dim light Of their lamps
that there was O sullen. mnrderous
resolution in the mans face,
Bill Blackford, would you kill
me ?"
No, no the train will do that !
DO you not fear to do such q
thug
No = thnndered Blackford. You
slipped and fell a. you we're crossing
the track. aud I, train struck yoni
Yes, that WINS Ghs story the mur-
lerer wonld tell, aud though some
might shake their heads, aud even
name their suspicion, they could
prove nothing.
It was useless to cry for help
The only answer would be the mock.
lug echo from the tunnels walls.
Struggle Av, struggle aud resist
he might till the last moment, bat
what avail. would his strength bs
against that Of this giants
The rumble Of the train was
growing louder. Ia few moments
it would DO upon them.
James Wainwright, by a quick
movement, released his right arm,
aud struck wildly at the other but
the villain caught the dscsuiina
blow, aud with q laugh, piuionel
the arm again to his victims side.
Aud now the train had entered
the tunnel. They were right ia the
path, but Blackford quickly stepped
toward the wall, still holding Vain
wright where the train would strike
him.
Now that the struggle commenced
IL was the only hope, and Vain
right fought with the desperation ol
man with his life at stake.
Nearer sped the train and still
Blackboard held him on the track
lie had by some good fortune, freed
his left arm.
The train WAS almost upon them
Touching by chance bis vest
something pricked Vain wright
hand. lie remembered bis mother
had been sewing rent in his vesI
that day. and had absent-mindsdly y
left the needle. q long one, in the
garment. In . moment be had il
out
The train was within few yards
Of them.
lilsckford's right arm was arount
Wainwright's waist. In moment
the other buried the needle 10 ths
villain 9 hand.
With q howl Of pain the would-b,
murderer released his hold.
Wainwright wrenched b imsel
from the other arm aud sprang .
cross the track.
With an oath Blackford followed
but to meet bis death. IN his hurry
his foot caught tue rail and he fell
James Wainwright cav the glar,
OF the headlight full in his eyes
aud the next instant Blackford wal
thrown at bis feet, manxled ant
dead !