Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-07-11

time was coming when Ed Gordon
would leave the road and accept the
superintendency of the company's car
shops.
But let me return to the October
night when Viola left her home to in
vestigate the sounds that seemed to
come from Gwynne's Cut.
She felt that distractions were being
placed on the track in the dismal place.
OF late the company had incurred
the hatred of several persons residing
in the vicinity of the station, and once
or twice the track had been tumpered
with, but fortunately to no serious ex-
tent.
The night, express generally went
through the cut with undiminished
speed, for no obstruction had been en-
countered there, though the cattle
evil disposed.
Viola at last reached the cut, into
which the mellow moonbeams fell. and
paused. Something high and dark OBJ
structed the track before her, at the
very part where the cattle.guard seemed
to be, and she held her breath. It was
II o'clock when she left the house, and
her walk had occupied number OF
precious minutes. The shrieks of the
Red Bird would soon be heard, and a
moment thereafter its headlight would
fash out into the cut or gorge. She saw
more than pile of strong ties en- the
track. She saw the dark figure of man
moving about the pyramids. as if con-
templating his nights work and specu-
lating upon the death and ruin it would
cause. She watched until she believed
that one man had accomplished the
diabolical deed, then she crept forward
through the shadow of the bushes that
lined the sides of the cut, until she
stood within ten feet of him.
ell go back to the station, now,"
she heard him say to himself. II can
get there before Me accident, and when
it occurs, why can run up there and
see him under the ruins of his engine,
so crushed that the doll.faced girl of
his will not recognize him."
A cruel laugh rippled over his lips as
he stepped back from the heap of ties,
several of which. he had forced into the
guard, where they we're wedged like
posts of iron. He enjoyed his own
words, and viewed the work of his mad
hands.
ell crush the Red Bird" he said,
turning away. "and put him out Of
my path forever"
The last words, full of devils tri-
umph, still quivered on his lips, when
Viola stepped from the shadows and
thrust the mnzzle of her revolver into
his face.
He started back with cry of horror
and uttered her name.
"This is your revenge, Morgan
Duke" she said, looking sternly in his
eyes. "Now, obey my commands, or
there will be lifeless body on this
track, to be mingled among the ruins
of the nights express. To work at
once off with your coat and remove
every obstruction your wicked hands
have placed here"
1.-THE train can't be saved now," he
said. and there was joy in his tones.
" 1t took me one long hour to obstruct
the guard. In twenty minutes or less,
perhaps, you'll see the Red Birds
headlight up the cut"
Villain u she cried, " if this track
is not clear when I see her headlight
I'll drive bullet through your brain.
You know what to do. I'll talk mo
longer"
Covered by her revolver as he was,
Morgan Duke, the station master,
dotted his coat and went to work.
Viola never took her eyes from him,
and the silvery moon that rested over
the cut showed his every movement.
He was on the pile of ties, hurting
them one by one, with strength of a
modern Samson, upon the not over
wide grade. He worked for dear life,
for he knew when the laundering train
was due, and q glance at the girl on the
track told him that she would surely
kill him if he did not do her bidding.
Once she said to him, as he paused
for breath before attacking the ties
which he had driven into the cattle
guard:
81 never thought this of you, Nor
gan Duke. When I rejected you, 1
thought you would take it like man"
He replied not, but glanced at his
watch.
Half-past twelve" he said.
" To work |" was the stern CONNIE nd =,
and Viola stepped forward and brought
the revolver near his head.
Il can't get them out" he said.
You must" was the reply.
drove them in with sledge,"
did not hear the sound"
1t was deadened with my coat"
The girls face grew paler than ever,
and she glancd fearfully up the cut.
"Take them out r. she said, sud
denly s. the train is coming. hear
it,"
The villainous station master heard
the rumbling and again turned to the
ties.
You have your CHOICE" Viola said
to him. "a bullet, or an unobstructed
track"
She watched him as woman never
watched man before. She knew that
he was doing all that could be done to
! undo his wicked work, and while she
watched, her heart grew still beneath
the rumble Of the express.
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