The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-01-23
qnired. Then. as his cheek glowed
hotlv--"For my sake, mean 2
"For your sake yes /

"
II bave been on The Alps she
said, following those who hunted
on the icy ruins OF precipices for the
chamois. Therefore, why should I
shrink nowf"
Still Harry hesitated. A rail was
different FROM the edge OF a prcci.
pice, and the young man almost
fancied be could already hear Mary's
piercing shriek--could already see
her form cleaving the air hesdlong
toward those dangerous rocks be-
meath.
Meanwhile twilight was gather
ing the crimson hues on the sky
were melting away in shadows. Tue
travellers, il intending to attempt The
perlious crossing. had better do so
while light enough remained.
so said Mary, and her glinco was
firm, her cheek unblanched as she
spoke.
"Let me 90 alone, she continued
Then. il anything should happen to
me, yom will not feel responsible.
Go. however, mnst, for perhaps
my father lies dying. II 80. 1 ,cUt
see him before he breathes his last =
"Come, then, said Harry; keep
hold of my jacket to support your
self as we go. II / should stumble.
however. do not hesitate to tet 90 Of
fme. Otherwise, You, too, will be
dragged down !
May silently nodded her head 10 TO-
ken of assent, aud the two started.
They kept on 81 ow y, care.
fully and steadily, until q sudden
heavy gust of wind made tho girl
reel Sine stopped, aud, while en-
deavoring to recover her balance,
she saw the dark rocks far below,
and thrilled with terror.
Oosr--ocer --oyer further n Il
further sho pressed her lips tightly
O yether, she made one Inst supernu
mau etfjrt, still endeavorins to
recover her balance.
An inch further and that balance
we're lost anil she precipitel upon
those Jagged rocks tw, hrndrei
feet beneath. Now, however. sne
raised her left arm, aud that saved
her. She slowly rsgained her upright
position. ADD the two continued their
course, Harry uusble without certain
destruction to turn his herd. ignur.
ant Of his companions late narrow
escape.
Tney had only. accomplished half
their perlous walk when tho night
gloom gathered round them. They
must traverse tho rest of tue way in
darkness
STEADILY !" whisperei,Havry, en-
conragingly; "for Gods sake do
MT hlter now
She answered him fryuly, Il will
uot.' aud tightonoi bor holl OF his
,cket.
At that moment they felt tho r,i
ql;ver bcnca,h them "a strange
nn.nn,ing noise was heard. 1t WAS
growing .onler every moment, loud
er ani l)udsr, until sclienly n
gloam like that of q bloolshJt eve
WAS ssau bursting through tie dark
ness far ahead.
"Fhe locom ,tive :! gasped Mary
MY God What can wo do now ?
She was right. II was the train
bound to Paris, sweeping along at
full spsoi, breathing thnuler. steam
and fire. Nearer aud nesrer it cam,
roaring aud rattling. vita ITS whistle
screaming. The rail now shook 30
that the travellers could scarcely
keep the balance.
What matter whether they did or
not! What power could save then
now They we're apparently doomed
to certain destruction with that fear.
fnl train sweeping toward them
On, On-ncdrer, nearer, nearer.
God it was soon less than three
miles distant
The young couple stood still zach
could hear the beating of the other $
heart. for M,rys arms now were
around Harrys waist.
Ahead OF them an approaching
locomotive. on each side OF them u
yawning abyss. their only support a
slender rail. All hope died from
their hearts
"We mnst prepare ! gasped the
girl. ave must die Gol help
us !!
"Oh ! murmurei Harry,suidenly,
ii | only had rope, l might posi-,
bly, do somethiug to save US!
"a rope-thank heaven /! There
is Que in my carpet bag. A lius
upon which my cousin used to hang
her hosiery /
As quickly as his situation would
permit, Harry unslang from his neck
the carpst-bAg. aud opening it, took
ont the rope. which was quite long
and about as thick as clothes.line
One end oftbis he fastened around
Marys breast just benenth the arm.
pits the other end, by carefully
STOPPING upon his knees, he contriy.
10 reeve through and fasten iu ont
of the holes between the timber and
the rail.
The train nov was less than 4
mile distant---in inmate it would
reach the spot occupied by the i'm
Iperilled travellers Ga it cane, boom.