The Northern Pacific farmer., 1880-07-08
[ had unwittingly stumbled into my

had unwittingly stumbled into my
present difficulty.
Nevertheless I was apprehensive that
he might be delayed until the train
should pass. In fact, I had no assur-
ance that he had time to go to Mr..
Ames' and return before it would be too
late. Another thought rushed through
my frantic brain. Had he deceived
me? Would he not be only too happy
in being thus easily rid of my unwel-
come presence? [ felt he never would
come to me again-he would leave me
Heavens ! there is no mistaking that
sound-the whistle at the Forest station,
only five miles distant?
How well do remember the thoughts
that passed through my mind as pa
tiently awaited the return of Arthur
Wesley; for although I had every rea-
son to believe he would not come, still I
instinctively awaited him, and hoped,
oh, how l hoped he would return!
Nearly two hours had sat there, and
now 1 was still waiting and vibrating be-
tween the hope of delivery and the al
most-certain conviction of destruction.
The fearful chill of despair was creeping
over me; my trembling limbs already
announced that my nerves were sink
ing in exhaustion. At every moment
l kept a watch for his returning foot
steps, but no welcomes sound fell on my
| ear.
! Hark! it is the train! The low, dis
tant thunder cannot deceive me now. It
will be here in few minutes.
"Help! help!" cried.
The wailing cry faded away, and there
was no answer. Louder and louder
came the thunder; nearer and nearer
came the train. The rising moon dis
closed to me the white column ofsmoke
and steam, rising above the hill beyond
the curve, and now the regularly beat
ing puff and cough Of the engine struck
my ear, like the gloating chucl1le of
some terrible monster regarding his VIC
tim. How like frenzy the thought
came on me that it was now too late for
assistance! No human being would
venture on the bridge when the train
was within hearing distance, when it
was too dark to distinguish objects in
time to stop the impetuous tire-h horse;
and yet, furious and frantic at the
thought of such a death, stretched my
trembling limbs to their utmost, and
shrieked again and again until l grew
hoarse and the laundering train
drowned the feeble efforts of my voice.
And now delirium seized me. Ifancied
some giant fend held down the plank.
| which vainly tried to wrench from its
| firm position-I could hear the chuckle
OF satisfaction that it gave to think it
had me there so safely in its power
The loud roar that now reached my
ear announced that the train had struck
the brid ge-there came an end to hope
no power could avert the death that
stared me in the face! For an instant
saw countless demons lowering
through the air. I made a superhuman
effort to move my body off the the line,
fire and smoke enveloped me-there
was crushing blow, a convulsion, a
dim recollection of keen pains shooting
though my imprisoned limb, and all was
darkness. | know no more
When I returned again to conscious
hess was lying on an easy couch, in
room dimly lighted, but neatly and
tidily furnished. While wondering
where was, and trying to recall what
had passed, the door was slowly opened,
and Lucy Ames entered the room. In
a moment she was by my bedside,
watching the motions and the express
sions of my countenance. doubtless i'm
agining that was still delirious.
"Lucy-Miss Ames?'
She started back as I uttered the
name, as though unwilling that should
discover her real thoughts; but, in a
moment recovering all self-possession,
she looked calmly toward me, and
asked, with tone of affected indifer-
ence:
"Do you feel easier now?"
E1ndeed, scarcely know how I do
feel," Ireplied, "but there is pain and
soreness in my head, and, in fact, in all
my limbs. I must have been badly
hurt"
had dim recollection of the occur
renee above narrated, and I felt sur
prised that I should have again awaken
ed to life. The pain which I felt, on re-
gaining my reason increased now mo-
mentarily. A physician was at hand,
and every effort was made by him, as
well as the mem bers of Mr.. Ames' fam
lily lin whose house I was then lying,
in which, also, Lucy and Mr.. Wesley
joined, to alleviate my suflerings.
In spite of all their attentions my
pains rapidly augmented, and in a
short time was again lost in the un-
conscious delirium of fever. In my
vague dreamings I was again on the
narrow bridpe hen6ino evarv effort and
straining every nerve to remove the
piece of wood that bound me there.
Again I was chained to the huge rock,
in which unconscious laborers were
drilling holes which they filled with