The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-08-28

father lies dying. If so, I will see
him before he breathc' his last |"
Come, then" said Harry keep
hold of my jacket to support your
self as we 60. If should stumble,
however, do not hesitate to let go of
me. Otherwise you, too, will be
dragged downl"
Mary silently nodded her head in
token of assent, and the two started.
They kept on slowly, carefully and
steadily, until a sudden heavy gust
of wind made the girl reel ! She
stopped, and while endeavoring to
recover her balance, saw the dark
rocks far below, and thrilled with
terror.
Over-oyer- r-over-iarther and
farther she pressed her lips tighter
together-she made one last super
human effort, still endeavoring to
recover her balance. An inch far
ther and that balance were lost and
she prccipitated upon those jagged
rocks two hundred feet beneath.
Now however, she slowly regained
her upright position, and the two
continued their course, Harry una
bic with out certain destruction to
turn his head; ignorant of his com
panion's late narrow escape.
They had only accomplished half
their perilous walk when the night
gloom gathered round them. They
must traverse the rest of the way in
darkness
STEADILY" whispered Harry, en-
couragingly. eFor Gods sake don't
fllter now !"
She answered him firmly, 81 will
not" and she frightened her hold of
his jacket.
At that moment they felt the rail
culver beneath them-a strange,
humming noise was heard. 1t grew
louder every moment-loudcr and
louder-until suddenly a gleam like
that of bloodshot eye was seen
bursting through the darkness far
ahead.
"The locomotive y gasped Mary.
@My Godl What can we do ?"
She was right. 1t was the train
bound to Paris, sweeping along at
full speed, breathing thunder, steam
and fire. Nearer and nearer it came
roaring and rattling, with its whistle
screaming. The rail now shook So
so that the travellers could scarcely
keep their balance.
What matter whether they did or
not +? What power could save them
now? They were apparently doom
ed to certain destruction with that
fearful train sweeping toward them
On, on-nearer, nearer, nearer
1t was soon less than three miles
distantl
The young couple stood still
each could hear the beating of thu
others heart, for Mary's arms nov
were around Harry's waist.
Ahead of them an approaching
locomotive-on each side of them ;
yawning abyss-thoir only supper
a slender rail All.hope died from
= their hearts.
1--WE must prepare !" gasped tn
girl. "We must die ! God help
/. us p
5 ooh p murmured Harry, sudden
/ ly, "if l only had rope | might pos
: sibly do something to save us |"
, "a rope-thank Heaven ! Ther
E is one in my carpet bag. A line up
on which my cousin used to ham,
$ her hosiery"
? AS quickly as his situation woul'
! permit, Harry unslung from hi
S neck the carpet-bag, and, opening
4 took out the rope which was quit
long and about as thick as a clothes
4 line. One end of this he fastene,
around Mary's breast just beneatl
e the arm-pits the other end, by car
e fully STOPPING upon his knees, h
contrived to reeve through and fast
+ en- in one of the holes between tn
timber and the rail.
1 The train now was less than mil
distant-in one minute it woul
: reach the spot occupied by the i'm
4 periled travellers. On it came, boon
ing along, while the rail shook as
going to pieces. Steam, thunder, fiji
and smoke
e sGod help 81" screamed Mary.
d The next moment she felt a SUE
e den jerk, and became aware that 81
was dangling in mid-air beneath IL
rail.
. Her heart almost leapcd to hi
= !, throat, A long, dark object swel
= above her, crashing, rattling, thun'
ering-it was the train
Il "All right !" said an encouragir
y voice, as the cars disappeared in Il
/ darkness. "Thank God !"