Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-11-13
" Great strain "" nervous system >

but no man knew what
flames might be slyly creeping on be-
meath the mass.
The men working in the debris did
not observe Meb until her voice. like a
steel javelin. smote the sides of the
gully: Winn!"
Involuntary every hand paused, and
the cry broke through the silence:
Winn, Winnl"
Then, faint and feeble, only few feet
away-a little back, little beneath came
the response:
Here, Meb; here!"
Then clustered upon that part OF the
ruins; they piled AK, and pulley, ,and
levcr-liiting wheels and trucks, tossing
aside grain, throwing off girders and
fragments of sidings.
Upon the track stood three petroleum
cars fourth lay half way down with
its stout guard broken, It's sides batter
ed, but thank God! whole. 4 ffth hurl-
ed on the sharp projecting rocks, had
been rent, and poured its contents
through the wheat. A dozen grain cars
had b en- crushed AMI piled in between
this place and the engine but how rapid
Iy the petroleum would penetrate, or
how quickly it might be- ignitcd by some
unextinguishcd embcr. no man could
tell.
A sudden pause in tho work-,hcy had
reached Winn. a silence like that fol-
lowing Meb's cry-thcy have drawn him
forth. Up the sides of the ravinc strug-
glcd the procession-strctc woman,
physicians. men with hdzcs, axes,
shovels, crowbars.
No one observed slender spirc ofbuc
smoke that curled up at the edge OF the
saturated grain; but IN lees than ten
minutes all the wreck was mass of
cracking, roaring flame flame blazing
up in red and blue points 10 the cool.
moon-lit heavens, tapping the weather.
beaten slccpers of the bridge and snap
ping through the branches of the over
hanging hemloCks; hut Winn was safe,
safe upon the track.
He had lain with his lower limb, too
near the escaping steam. Fa-iidiou-
people, reading OF III" accident in the
morning papers. wished reporters would
spare the public such horrible dctnils
The doctors administered brandy and
injected morphine, and Winn was un-
conscious of much pain. While the
train backed rapidly down to the Ciiuchy
turn-table he lay with his head upon
pillow in Mcb's lap, looking up at her
her face to her shoulders.
"Oughtnt you TO have worn some
thing thicker
oh, don't, VIM: you'll kill me II
you think of me now"
The first tcatN Mch had shed since
those elected by Mr.. Charlie. Fordycc'-
tender sympathy raincd on Wins up
turned face.
The Flyer" was racing through tho
toriuous detilc now. On and on 10 the
open plain again. aud familiar buildings
rushed past.
We're almost home, Winn-home'
Do you understand"
Mcb bent. covering ono side Of Winu's
face with her tears and kisses wiping
IL dry with the precious illusion that
had unflstcned and dangled from her
throat
The house was lighted, linen airing by
the fire, and Mrs. Weir moving about
with wet bandagc around her head.
Railroad men thronged in. profTcring
assistance.
Under tho circumstances she can't
wish him 10 live" Mr.. Charlie Fordscc
had remarked upon his way down.
Once, in passing through the hall.
Meb encountered Mr.. fordycc.
Is there anything IN my power to do
for you?" he inquired impressivcly.
Mr. Fordyce had nothing in his own
nature, observation. ar experience. To
teach him tho rcvulsion of healthy soul
toward any individual once instrumental
In diycTting its sentiments from legiti-
mate channels.
"a he stood attitudinizing with his
grandmoiher's eyes, Meb turned and
surveyed him.
She hated his sofl voice. hated his
great limpid eyes, hated him, hated him,
hated him
You9 OH yes. you might 60 TO the
druggists. The doctor wishes to send.
II Winn dies there is nothing in the
whole wide world for which care"
Mr.. Fordyce shrank n little. He had
expected nothing less than mn oppor-
tunity To console her with an honorable
Teticence In expression.
There followed weeks wherein the
rival powers OF the physical world-life
and death-loCked arms and contended
for dominion over Winn. Life came off
n hard-pressed. wounded victor. II was
long after he was out of danger before
the man seemed TO lift for observation
tho remaining threads of his connection
with the world
One morning when Mcb. who had
been singing around the kitchen. came
in with beef, eggs and tea. he threw out
his hands and cried:
"Oh. Meb, why didn't you let me Vo7
II was cruel to keep me-a cripple.
What can | ever be9"
Meb set down the waiter. graspcd one
Of the sick. corded hands and raised it
10 her lips.
"Winn, Winn. I'm so happy want
TO sing all the time. You are living.
feeling human being in Gods
good world; and Just to be that is worth
everything. Isn't it2 II Is worth
everything for me. We shall get along.
Just see how large and strong my wrists
aren
Winn could have claspcd three such
wrists between his thumb and fore
finger.
Railroad men are generous set.
There was the aid from the Brother
hood. There were packages of groceries
introduced within the front
gate on dark nights. express wagons un-