Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-27

In fact, mad no assurance Cnat ne had time 70
too late. Another thought rushed through my
frantic brain. Had he deceived met Would he
not be only too happy in being thus easily re
would come to me again-he would leave me TO
the mercy OF such cruel death. Heavens!
There Is no staking that sound ,os whistle
How well do remember the thoughts that
passed through my brain as patiently awaited
Inc o. Atna6 ss
still tnStinctively awaited him, and hoped, oh,
how / hoped he would return! Nearly two
ing and vibrating between the hope of delivery
and the almost certain conviction OF destruction.
The fearful chill of despair was creeping over
me; my trembling limbs already announced
that my nerves were sinking in exhaustion. At
every moment kept watch for his returning
footsteps, but no welcome sound fell on my
.Hark. it is the train The low, distant
thunder cannot deceive me now. 1t 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 disclosed to me the white column OF
smoke and steam, rising above the hill beyond
the curve; and now the regularly beating pun
and cough of the engine struck my ear like the
gloating chuckle Of some terrible monster re.
garding his victim. How like frenzy the
thought came on me that 1t was now TOO late
fer assistance! No human being would venture
on the bridge when the train was within hear
ing distance, when it was too dark to distinguish
objects In time to stop the 1mpetuOuS t1rehorSe;
and yet. furious and frantic at the thought OF
such death, stretched my trembling limbs to
their utmost, and shrieked again and again I'M
til 1 grew horse, and the laundering train
drowned the feeble efforts of my voice. And
now delirium seized me. fancied some giant
fend held down the plank which vainly tried
to wrench from its firm position-I could hear
the chuckle OF satisfaction 1t gave to think it
had me there so safely in its power.
The loud roar that now reached my ear an
nounced that the train had struck the bridge
then came an end to hope-no power could
avert the death that stared me In the face! For
an instant saw countless demons lowering
to move my body off the line, fire and smoke en-
Veloped me--there was crushing blow, a con-
vulsion, a dim recollection of keen pains shoot
Ing through my imprisoned limb, and all was
when returned again to consciousness was
lying on an easy couch, In room dimly lighted,
but neatly and tidily furnished While Won
derlng where was, and trying to recall what
had passed, the door was slowly opened, and
Lucy AmeS entered the room. In moment
she was by my bedside, watching the motions
less imagining that was still delirious,
'Lucy-MiSs AmeS?" said.
She started back as ! uttered the name as
though unwilling that l should discover her
real thoughts; but, in moment, recovering ali
self-possession, she looked calmly toward me-
and asked me with tone of affected indiffer-
ence:
'Do you not feel easier now"
indeed, | scarcely know how do feei,'
/ replied, "but there is pain and soreness in
my my head, and, in fact, in all my limbs. Unjust
I had dim recollection of the occurrence
above narrated, and l felt surprised that l
should have again awakened to life. The pain
which felt, on regaining my reason, Increased
now momentarily. A physician was at hand
and every effort was made by him. as well as
the members of Mr.. Ames' family, dn whose
house was then lying), in which, Also Lucy
and Mr.. Wesley Joined, to alleviate my suffer-
ings.
In spite of all their attentions my pains rap
idly augmented, and In short time was ag ain
lost in the unconscious delirium of fever. In
my vague dream1ngs was again on the narrow
bridge pending every effort and straining every
nerve to remove the piece of wood that bound
me there. Again was chained to the huge
rock In which unconscious laborers were drill
ing holes, which they filled with powder 10
blow the unseemly mass to atoms. Flends,
ShapeleSS and hfdeOuS, flew about me, chatter
Ing In glee; demons danced on the sharp edges
OF the rock, chuckung again like the measured
putt OF the engine, and at intervals they stopped
to bind the chain closer, until the links festered
into the very flesh and turned my blood to gall
with the poison in which they had been dipped.
Cayerns yawned on every side to receive me-
All at once was heard the long, Shrill whistle of
the engine, and voices that seemed the very
agony of despair screamed ON every side of me:
1.-The train! the tratn!'
But all this passed away. was well again
and could walk about the house with the aid OF
crutch, for had left one foot suspended in the
bridge where ! had so miraculOuSly escaped
death; Lucy had treasured me Of her love; not
indeed by words, but by her actions. Long ana
patiently had she watched by my side; and to
her more than any other do 1 owe the preserva-
ton Of my life. No words had passed between
US In relation to the subject which had so nearly
separated u.s. yet there seemed to be a tac1t ac-
acknowledgement OF the error on my part, and
cheerful forgiveness on hers. But one day when
we CHANGED TO be alone, required to the folly
OF which had been guilty, and more formally
asked fer forgiveness.
Freely do forgive you, she said sit indeed
seem to require il. You doubtless acted accord
ing to your earnest inclination, which l would
not wish to oppose. suppose your only object
was TO secure the hand OF another, in leaving me,
Lucy, Lucy." exclaimed, sit was no. SOL
was mad; was a fool! believed too rashly
but now will believe nothing, will not even
credit what l see. But tell me, Lucy, how it
happened that on one or two occasions, after
eXcus1ng yourself from accompanying me to an
evenings visit or party, should afterward
meet you returning home in company with Mr.
Wesley?"
.'Stin jealous see, said Lucy.
NO, no." replied; "but -
Listen then" she said interrlptinr me-
land will explain ALL which might have done
sooner had you requested 1t. I was anxious to
improve my singing, and as this was probably
engaged to take take private lessons OF Mr.
Wesley. l did not think it necessary to tell
every one why was SO often seen in the COM
pany OF that gentleman, who, 1 must assure
you Is not only very amiable young man, but
is engaged to my cousin, with whom no induce
ment could cause him to break his compact"
But why did he delay so long to come to nv
assistance, when was about to be crushed BY
the train?"
He did, indeed, make all the haste In his
power" replied Lucy; 'but, in company with
my brother, arrived a moment too late when it
would have been madness to have gone on the
bridge. In the dim light they saw you fall into
the water, which, fortunately. was deep aud
rapid, and consequently free from ice. They
fastened to the bank OF the stream, and In
few moments succeeded in rescuing you
from this second danger, and bore you to the
house"
Friends thank God; all friendsr I could
not help uttering after listening to Lucy's ex-
PLANTATION of all that had transpired. I was
happy again. though manned for life fact
which Lucy generously seemed to quite over
look, as she did not hesitate to become Mrs
WorthiDgton in less than month after my per
feet convalescence.
ELEPHAS 4MERIC4NUS