Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-02-19

which made them so full of meaning to
her, there was nothing in them, and
her cheeks grew hot as she remembered
how clearly she had let him look into
the simple, trusting heart he had won.
She was reused from these humilia-
ting reflections by her mothers voice
calling 10 her from below. There was
an unusual amount of work to do that
day, for which Sussie was not sorry, as
il gave her what she needed most i'm this
painful crisis of her life, no time to
think.
"Where are you going, Susie?"
Susie paused by the open doorway
of the room, where her mother was Sit
ting.
Down to Blackberry Hill for some
berries. There are none for breakfast,
and you know Mr.. Coles wants them at
every meal"
''But you are looking tired. And no
wonder; you've been on your feet all
day"
I'm not in the least tired.
There was more than weariness in
that look and tone, and. for the first
time, dim revelation came TO the mo-
theirs heart of all that was going on be-
meath that quiet exterior.
''What is ii, them"
"a little headache, which a walk in
the open air will drive away.
Many and many day afterwards did
Mrs. Barnard recall her daughter as
she stood there, basket in one hand,
and her broad-brimmed hat. with its
wide dropping ribbons In the other. As
she reached the gate, she looked back
on her with a smile such as an angel
might give upon the threshold of par
adiSe.
LET me go." cried the eager voice of
her little brother Will.
Susie would rather have gone by her
self, but she could rot reject the brown,
chubby hand that was thrust into hers.
So the two walked along together, d
nally striking into the railroad track,
that was the most direct way to Black
berry Hill.
They had gone but short distance,
when Susie saw upon the track just
ahead of her pile of rocks, earth and
gravel, which had evidently fallen from
the steep embankment which loomed
up high above her head.
The express train, with its precious
freight of human live, was nearly due,
and for a moment Susie stood motion
less with horror and alright. Then
she seized her little brothers. arm.
''Will, do you see those men in the
field yonder? Go and tell them that
something has fallen upon the track.
The train will soon be here; run for
your lIfe.'
He had gone but few rods, when
Susie's straining gaze caught glimpse
of it in the distance, and, dropping her
basket. the heroic girl walked steadily
forward toward the rapidly advancing
train. Then, suddenly pausing, she
held her hat, with its fluttering rib
bons, high above her head.
No one knows-no earthly being can
know-what were her thoughts and
feelings as she stood there, but we may
be sure that no fears for her own
safety mingled with them; all this was
swallowed up in her fears for those
who were so unconscious of the terri
bic fate that menaced them.
As soon as the engineer saw her, he
blew the whistle, then perceiving that
the paid no heed to it, reversed the en-
gine and put on the brakes.
As soon as Susie saw that her signal
was needed she moved TO one side, but.
making a misstep, stumbled. Before
she could recover herself the engine
struck her, hurling her down among
the stones and brambles, and then,
having done its work, moved slowly
past, slackened and stopped.
The wondering and startled people
poured out of the cars, unable at first to
comprehend the horrors they had es-
capped. But that crushed. insenible
form, and the pile of rocks just ahead
of them, soon told the story.
Strong arms bore her tenderly to the
shadow of a tree near by. The two
doctors on board pronounced her inju-
ries mortal; adding that it would be
useless cruelty to attempt her removal
during the few remaining moments Of
her life.
As they stood there, the women with
fearful eyes, the men with sad faces
and uncovered heads, watching the
slow ebbing of the life that had been
given for theirs, man rushed into the
circle, and, kneeling down by the dy-
ing girl, lifted tenderly the bruised
head from the shoulder where it rested
and laid it against his own:
"Susie, Oh, Susie!' he mOaned, as
he looked down upon the white face,
over which the shades of death were
gathering fast.
This cry seemed to stay for a moment
the fiuttering spirit. She opened the
eyes with smile of recognition.
"I thank thee, father!"
These were the last words that Susie
Barnard ever spoke on earth.
John Harmon was a changed man
from that hour. Endowed with fine
person and with that winning charm
of manner, which made him almost ir-
resistible when he tried to please, it
seemed as natural to him to make love
to any pretty woman with whom he
CHANGED to be, as to breathe. He knew
that his proud, lady-mother. on whom
all his prospects depended, would never
consent to his marrying a poor and
nameless maiden, and still went on, day
after day, calling forth hopes and emo
tions i'm that innocent, unsOphisticated
heart that could only end in disappoint-
ment and sorrow. 1t was such CRATE