The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-21

tudb sdFtu HeEs Que SLOWLY fcg gdlHcV uSl
upright position, and they continued
their course-Harry, unable, without
certain destruction, 10 turn his head, and
Ignorant of his companions late narrow
escape.
They had oply accomplished half their
perilous walk when the night7gloom
gathered round them. They musl
traverse the rest of the way in dark
ness!
Steadily" whispered Harry, encour-
agingly. "For Heavens sake, don't falter
nOww
She answered him firmly, 'I will not"
and tightened her hold of his jacket.
At that moment they felt the rail
quiver beneath them-a strange, hum
ming noise WAS heard. 1t grew louder
every moment-louder and louder-un-
til suddenly a CLEAN like that of a blood
shot eye was seen bursting through the
darkness far ahead of them.
"The locomotive" gasped Mary. ooh
what can we do noww
She was right. 1t was the train bound
to Paris, sweeping along at full speed,
breathing thunder, steam and fire. Near
er and nearer it came, roaring and rat
tling, with its whistle screaming. The
rail now shook so much that the travel
ers could scarcely keep their balance.
What matter whether they did or not?
What power could save them now? They
were apparently doomed to certain de-
struction with that fearful train sweep
ing toward them!
On, on-nearer, nearer. nearer
Heaven! it was soon less than three
miles distant!
The young people stood still. Each
could hear the beating of the others
heart, for Mary's arms now were around
Harry's waist.
Ahead of them an approaching loco
motive; ON each side of them yawnine
abyss their only support slender rail
All hope died from their hearts!
"We must prepare" gasped the girl
"We must die! God hel p us!''
"Oh! murmured Harry, suddenly
"if only had rope, 1 might possibly
do something to save us!"
"a roae? Thank heayenl there is ont
in my carpet-bag-a line upon which my
cousin used to hang her hosiery!"
/, As quickly as his situation would per
NIT, Harry unslung from his neck the
carpet-bag, and, opening it, took out thu
rope, which was quite long and abou
as thick as clothes line. One end O
this he fastened around Mary's breast
Just beneath the armpits; the other end
by carefully STOPPING upon his knees, HI
contriyed to reeve through and fasten il
one of the holes between the timber anc
; the rail-
The train was now less than mill
distant! In one minute it would reacl
the spot occupied by the'imperiled trav
elers! On 1T came booming along, while
! the rail shook as if going to pieces
Steam, thunder, fire aud smokel
"God help us!" screamed Mary.
The next moment she felt sudde
Ijerk, and become aware that she wa
: dangling in mid-air beneath the rail.
Her heart almost leaped to her throat
| A long dark object swept above hel
crashing, rattling, laundering. 1t wa
the train!
. GAIL rightl" said an encouragin
= voice, as the cars disappeared in tn
darkness. "Ihank Godp
9 She looked UP and saw Harry clingin
to the upper part of the rope.
He swing himself quickly to the ra
and carefully drew her up. Then, wit
, the help of the rope, the two were Ell
! abled to walk the rest of the rail wit
more ease than before.
Soon they were out of all DANCE
y when, with streaming eyes, Mary fell o
i her knees and thanked God for her an
= ;. her companions preservation.
= They reached the Dijon train in goo
u time, and subsequently arrived at Mary
u place of destination in safety.
!, The girl found her father dying, b,
a u he lived long enough to give her his par
y ing blessing Harry, now feeling tn;
= she needed protector more than eve
!, proposed, after remaining six weeks
II Dion, to make her his wife.
T. She consented; they we're married;
le brought his bride to the United State
u they are now living happy and co
tented in pleasant home near Harlel
II New York, within hearing of the stea
trains.
:, . Need l add that they never hear t
IL u. thunder noise Of the approaching ca
VI without thinking of that night Of pc
on the rail?