The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-05-12

fer 1t seemed so hard to part with our only one and a gloom would settle over us whenever her name was men, toned.
 So the days came and went: and the pure mountain air seemed 10 breathe health and rosiness into Bessie's cheeks and wide-open eyes.
 called her child, for child she seemed to me and Roger took her at once into his great, loving heart. An, there was no one SO good and kind as Roger in all the world to me. Although our heads had whitened together. and the storms of life had beaten hard upon us both. still we loved each other with all the fervor of youth, for our hearts could never grow cold.
 Many were the rambles that Bessie took among the surrounding hillsides for in that season of the year the hills were crowned with flowers, and all nature seemed at its best. Night after night she would come home, her basket laden with the rare blossoms, or some curious leaves or stones which she had picked up where the railroad had cut its way. One spot in particular was her iavorite resort. Just al the ieft of the house stood a high hiii, and the railroad curved directly around the base. Nothing could be seen be- yond the curve from either direction. Above the track. on the side of the hill next our house, was huge tree tha, had stood there for years. There Roger had constructed for Bessie a rude sea, be- heath the spreading branches, where she could take her books and sit for hours at time, unseen by all, yet hay ing fair view of everything for miles around.
 A brook gurgled below. beneath a bridge over which the line was laid. AL though put an insignificant stream. the banks on both sides were high and steep. and single misstep would lead to de- struction.
 Bessie sat ore day in her favorite re- treat under the old tree. had rung the bell for dinner, for Roger was at work in d distant field. Bessie began collecting her books. preparing to go to the house. when she heard the whistle of the noon express.
 She thought: "I will wait until the train goes by, just to see the people. Perhaps 1 shall see some one know at any rate, they cannot possibly see me"
 So, turning her eyes toward the bridge. she nestled back against the trunk of the old tree. when what was her surprise and horror to see the rails which spanned the bridge entirely gone, and nothing but cer- tain death awaiting the inmates of the coming train.
 Roger had spoken that morning of several rough-looking fellows who had been hanging around the station. and who seemed to be inspecting the line in both directions. and undoubtedly tosselect a place where they might. from motives of revenge. remove portion of the rails and wreck the train. The last was coniec- tured by us after all was over, although no particular notice was taken of them at the time.
 To think was to act with Bessie and she knew If the lives of the people were saved i, must be through her instru- mentality.
 The train was but little distance of. and what she did must be done quickly.
 Hastily uniying ;he broad sash of red ribbon which ercircled her waist. she tied Il to one end of her parasol. and rushing down to the hne-right in the teeth of the monster bearing down upon her-she waved franctically the signal of danger.
 Flying down the line. calling at the top ot her voice for them to stop. although her words were unheard in the roar of the coming train. she reached the curve and rushed wildly on, still holding aloft the streaming red flag.
 Oh. if they would but stop before the bend was reached. Was il possible tha, the mighty wheels slaokened m their fearful speed?
 Yes, the shriek of the whistle told her that she was seen and understood. Slower and slower went the wheels, until at last. just as the curve was reached. the long train stopped. and the people looked out 10 ascertain the cause of the delay. But where was the brave girl who had rlsked her own life to save the lives of strangers. Down on the ground, almost under the very wheels. poor Bessie ny. her courage having suddenly forsaken her when she saw the danger was over.
 Many hands were extended 10 raise her; consciousness was restored. and the story told from her trembling lips as she pointed in the direction of the curve. Several of the passengers. together with the driver, s,okcr and guard of the train. returning from an investigation of the disturbed track. soon made plain to those present the nature of the danger from which they had been rescued.
 One of the passengers who had gone to view the rails now came up. and turn ing to the guard, said:
 This has been done by human hands,
 The speaker was a tall. erect finely built young man. probably about twenty live years of age: dark brown hair. a skin darkened by exposure to the sun. and pair of brave, serious. blue eyes. As he spoke. Bessie raised her eyes from the lap of the lady where she had been lying. and single word escaped her lips:
 Walter,"
 Low and tremulous as the word was spoken. the young man turned instantly. and. for the first time, noticed Bessie.
 This is the young lady who so bravely-" began the guard; bu, before kA ,-l ,t