Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-05-25
there, and we've all the steam we cal

A3s s4G 1gaSs
there. and we've all the steam we car
safely carry now .,,.,.3
r 9 Are yen sure it won t bear any morep
she asked anx'ously.
II shook my head.
".I'm afraid not. said.
But it 10 possible that it may?' she
asked again. His saTea4a
"'Yes, possible, but not probable, 1 an
swered. III ee
"Shs asked the questions in a calm,
even voice, and I think Ianswered I'd
much the same tone, for, now that the
danger l had feared was really upon us. !
seemed to hats lost all fear, and watch
ed the line Of smoke nearing US SO fast
nth a sort of vague wonder as to what
the engineer of the other train would DO
when he saw us coming, too late to save
his train. I was reused from this sort OF
stupor into which seemed in danger Of
falling by seeing the girl again reach for
the oil can. shook my head.
1t won't do I said. 1t may be
DEATH
But, she said, 1T is death il I don't.
Il nodded, and, without q word, she
poured the remainder of the oil upon the
wood, and threw it into tle fire. We
were close to the station now. and could
see people running across the platform,
and hear the women scream 10 they saw
our danger; for right in front of us was
the extra. 80 near that it seemed as if
nothing but miracle could cave us.
looked at Miss Lord. With that last Of
fort her strength seemed to leave her, and
she sank upon the seat, covering her face
with her hands, waiting for the death that
seemed SO near.
"There was moment OF awful suspense
and then we were safe upon the side track
just as the extra train went laundering
by, SO near that scarcely an inch sepa-
rated the engine from the birdmost car.
The brakes were put on. and the long line
of cars came to a stand-still just beyond
the station. and then slowly ran back to
where the crowd of alarmed and curious
men stood watching us. At the shrill
sound of the escaping steam. Miss Lord
raised her head, and looked anxiOusly
around. then, seeming to realize that We
were safe, she tried to say something, but
the words died away in murmur, and
the next moment she fell on the floor of
the cab like dead woman. But before
could call any one to help her, for I was
pretty well shaken myself. one Of the d.
rectors, who was on the train, came along
in fearful passion. He wanted to know
what meant by running the fisk that /
had done. a
Haven't you any brains? and don y
you care any more for human life than a
donkey?' he blastered. e.
Il handed him the telegram had re
ceived at A., and which, fortunately for
myself, I had put into my pocket, and
then pointed to the floor of the cab. where
jim lay in drunken sleep, and Miss Lord
in a dead faint, and told the story as
we'll as could. l tell you there was pref
ty lively times there for few minutes
The passengers found out that something
was the matter, and they came pouring
out Of the cars. and crowded round the
engine, and had to tell my story over and
over to them. Well, some Of the men car.
ried Jim off into the station, aud dumped
him down on the aMr, and Miss Lord was
taken into one of the drawing-room cars.
and fused over as though she was one of
the greatest ladies in the land and. before
she came TO herself enough to sit up, there
was a purse made up for her, of more dol
lars than she'd ever had ir her life. and
that wasn't all, for Mr.. Runals-the d.
rector that was aboard the train-found
that she wanted work, and that she knew
something of tslegraphy, and put her in
the Office at c. for awhile. and in few
months gave her steady job. So you see
it wasn't bad ride for her, after all.''
But what became OF her ?'' l asked.
''Is she still in the Office
''Oh, bless you, no sir, She did what
most all the women do sooner or late,-g0t
married."
WELL" said ], ''such a woman deserv.
ed good husband hope she got oue."
well, don't know, pretty middIing, l
guess" and then he added with laugh
'She seems to be satisfied, so suppose
there s no occasion for ally one else to find
fault"
just then there was whistle, and the
down train came into view, and. putting
his pipe into his pocket, the engineer made
ready for his homeward trip. saying, with
a sly smile. as he sprang on the engine,
and said good by;
IF ever you come to CT shall be glad
to see you, and you can ask my wife what
she th inks of the husband Miss Lord
got."