The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-12-26

there as the train arrives" said MilIy, 2s they made the coffee and frixzled some slices of ham eff walk fast can get there in fifteen minutes, aud don't be- lieve the coffee can get cold in that time. all wrapped up in this big bottle and shut up in the pail"
 You might carry it in little pail and set it on the stove in the station until Jim comes," suggested Mrs. Hosmer. "l don't believe there would be fire there; and besides, would rather not go in. can't bear Tom Kennedy's com ments or company. shall just stop un- der the porch tIll the train comes. and then can hand Jim the lunch-pah and slip away before any one notices me"
 Maybe that would be best" assented Mrs. Hosmer, who knew how disagree able the attentions of the sandy-haired young station agent were to her adopted daughter. But Milly, do be careful and take care of yourself. If anything should happen to you should never for give myself never! In fact, have half mind not to let you go, alter all "What with this for company said Miiiy gsyly showing the revolver clutched tightly under her waterproof; "what a foolish mammal Nov, good-by shall be back beiore you know it." And with kiss, Miliy disappeared in the drizzle with skip, and good little laugh, as soon as she was out of sight, at the thought of seeing Jim.
 Arriving at her destination, she so ttiy crept up into the shelter of deep door way and looked down the track, where she expected even now to see the distant ltsvhk Al Rsxk <nsw est gleam was visible. Surprised, she crept along and peered in at the clock through the station window. The hands pointed to half past nine.
 That stupid old clockl" she exclaimed petulantly, as she slipped back to her hiding place, "we might have known it would be too fast or too slow it never is right, except by accident. Now Jm's coffee will be as cold as a stone-and l, too, for tha. matter" she added, shiver- ing and drawing closer into the corner out of the wind
 Bat the next moment the sound of low voices almost as her side sent her heart into her throat, and at the next bound her blood flew through her veins like fire
 "Don't turn cussed fool now," ex- claimed gruff voice in hoarse under tone It's little late to turn soft-hearted just when the game is ours and ain't no hand to put up with no nonsense, you know that, Bill"
 "I don't mean nothing-only if was sure there wouldn't be no women and lit- tie children-specially little children ever since little Tillie died"
 Nov bottle that," angrily interrupted the other with a fierce oath. |" If I'd supposed you'd ever turn out such a chicken. livered coward, I'd seen you starve before I'd have taken you into this. But it is too late now there IS a cool fifty thousand on that express train tonight, and I'll have it or die. You do your part and share the plunder, or you back down and I'll put an end to you But you shan't stop me-In see to that, Bill"
 lest give me pull at the flask, and I'll be right. never desert a friend, you know that, old fellow"
 "All right then," said the other, nov modified i" let's get to work. Mike is at his post, is he2"
 "Yes, jest the other side of the build. ing. If that station chap sets foot outside before we've had time to finish our work, Mike will sead bullet into that sorel- top of his before you could wink. He will meet us at the old oak ten minutes after the train is due, and we'll be of. Now let's get up to the cut and get them rocks down onto the track mighty lively. There ain't much time to spaie."
 As they noiselessly moved away, the mans last whisper rang in Millys ears like death-knell: "Sure there is not much time to spare" Of course they knew nothing of Jim's train, that would, within few minutes, come rushing into the death-trap they were to set. And she could give no alarm. The express never did more than slightly slack It's speed to drop some packages on the platform no one was at the station except the sleepy agent, all unconscious of the terrible guard that stood beside him long before she could get to the nearest n0ghbor there it would be too late-all these thoughts rushed like lightning through Miily's distracted brain. There was no one to know or to aid but God and her self. She lifted her eyes to the starless sky in mute appeal, then turned and sped like deer through the darkness toward the spot chosen for this dre .dful deed. Well it was that she knew, as by instinct, every step of this ground, even the very rocks piled on the edge of the rocky gorge, that now were meant for the crush ing out of human life. Only at Jim's last visit she had walked 7ith him to this very spot. Now, as she approached. she heard heavy, grinding sound and the subdued, panting exciamations of the men as they strove to move the heavy ! stones from their beds.
 By the eternal! there she comes they've changed the time. Quick, now, with this biggest one v
 Poor Milly she knew what light was drawing so fearfully near. Not the ex- press, but the engine Of the man she lsved better then her own life. She drew near to the panting, cursing men, till she