The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-02-04

where she expected even now to see the
distant light Of Jim's engine. But not
the faintest CLEAN was visible. Sur
prised. she crept along and peered in at
the clock through the station window.
The hands pointed to half past nine.
THAT stupid old clock!' she exclaim-
cd petulantly. as she slipped back to
her hiding-place, 1--WE might have
known it would be too fast or too slow;
it never is right, except by accident.
Now Jim's coffee will be as cold as
stone--and /, too, for that natter" she
added shivering and drawing closer in
to the corner out of the wind.
But the next moment the sound Of
low voices almost at her side sent her
heart into her throat, and at the next
bound her blood Jew through her veins
like fire.
Don't turn cussed fool now" ex-
claimed gruff voice in hoarse under
tone. ..It's q little late to turn soft
hearted just when the game is ours; and
I amt no hand to put up with no non.
sense, you know that, Bill"
Il don't mean nothing only if / was
sure there wouldn't be no women
and little children-especi little chill
dren-ever since little Title died"
.'Now bottle that, /" angrily interrupt
ed the other with fierce oath. IF I'd
supposed you'd ever turn out such .
chicken-livered coward, I'd seen you
starve before I'd have you taken into
this. But it is too late now; there is q
cool fifty thousand on that express
train tonight, and Eli 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-pll see
to that, Bill"
Jest give me pull at the flask, and
I'll BE- right. l never desert friend.
you know that, old fellow"
"All right then, !" said the other, now
Modified; ''let's 60 to work. Mike is at
his post, is hep"
Eyes, Jest the other side Of the build
ing. If that station chap sets foot out
side before we've had time to finish our
work, Mike will send bullet into that
sorreltop of his before you could wink.
He will meet us at the old oak ten min
utes after the train is due, and wen be
of. Now let's 60 up to the cut and get
them rocks down into the track mighty
lively. There amt much time to
spare.
| As they noiselessly moved away, the
mans last whisper rang in Milly's 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 its
speed to drop some packages on the
platform; no one was at the station ex-
cept the sleepy agent, all unconscious OF
the terrible guard that stood beside
him; long before she could get to the
nearest neighbor there it would be too
late-all these thoughts rushed like
lightning through her distracted brain.
There was no one to know or to aid but
God and herself. She lifted her eyes to
the starless skies in mute appeal, then
turned and sped like deer through the
darkness toward the spot chosen fol
this dreadful deed. Well it was that
she knew, as by instict, every step Of
this ground, even the very rocks piled
on the edge of the rocky gorge, that
now were meant for the crushing out Of
human life. Only at Jim's last visit she
had walked with him to this very spot
Now, as she approached, she heard 8
heavy, grinding sound and the subdued
painting EXPLANATIONS of the men as they
strove to move the heavy stones from
their beds.
sBy the eternal! there she comes
they've changed the time. Quick, now
with this biggest one!'
| Poor Milly! she knew what light wa.
drawing SO fearfully near. Not thu
express, but the engine of thu
man she loved better than hel
own life. She drew near to the pant
ing, cursing men, till she felt as if the,
could hear her heart beat; then, as the.
cried, Now over with itr' she breath
ed, ''Oh, Jim my darling, my darling!'
and fired two swift shots at the men be
fore her.
! A groan and cry of rage told he
that she had not failed in her aim. TIL
train passing swiftly by below her, as
sured her that her lover was safe; thel
she sank down in little quivering heal
in the darkness. Nothing mattere'
now. Those dreadful wretches nigh
find and tear her to atoms now if nee'
be; she had saved the man she loved
and that was enough.
But in q moment or two she rallied
as the cool rain beat upon her face, ant
rose softly to her feet. She must SCI
him now at all hazards; she must SCI
and tell HIM all, or she could not live
She flew over the ground like MAJ
creature. Nothing held her fight unit
she reached the train, where Jim's fac
shone upon her from the engine cab
and she fell with speechless gasp be
side it. In moment she was in Jim
arms, some one brought brandy ant
dropped it upon her cold lips, and afte
awhile she heard Jim's tender words .
he held and kissed her, and then sh'
sat up, pale and trembling, to tell he
story.
But the express stopped that night
and when it went on, it bore with it tn