The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-01-12

face that always smiled his welcome in
its light was wonderfully like the little
picture of Milly that he always carried
in the pocket of his blue flannel shirt.
Many a time the engine light shone over
the sweet face as it lay on his grim palm
in intervals Of work, and jim would
whisper, softly, "By and by, little girl"
as he carefully slipped it back where it
beat with every beat Of his heart.
Working faithfully and steadily, Sc
cretly laying the foundation of that ideal
home, jim had gained the respect and
confidence of his employers and was on
the road to promotion. But his work
now was somewhat varied, and when
the busy season came and freight was
moving freely, he often ran q "wild
train" through Rocktield, as the little
place was called, where u station had
been erected for the accommodation of
The surrounding farmers.
On these occasions he generally sent
home a dispatch, as in the present case,
and on return found Il tempting lunch
waiting his coming, and sometimes, if
the weather was fine, got n glimpse of
Milly and his mother and n moments
chat. His dispatch tonight read
"Run through Rockticld to night just
ahead of ten o'clock express, reaching
there about n quarter of ten"
Il will start only just in time to get
there as the train arrives. said Milly, as
they made the coffee and frizzled~ some
slices of ham; eff l walk fast l can get
there in fifteen minutes, and l don't be-
licve 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 a little pail
and set it on the stove in the station till
jim comes" suggested Mr.. Hosmer.
II don't believe there would be a fire
there; and besides, l would rather not
90 in. I can't bear Tom Kennedy's
comments or company. I shall just
stop under the porch till the train
comes, and then I can hand Jim the
lunch-pail and slip away before any one
notices me-"
''Mavbe that would be best" assented
Mrs. Hosmcr, 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 1 should never
forgive myself never! In fact, I have
half a mind not to let you go, after
all"
"What! with this for company" said
Milly gayly, showing the revolver
clutched tightly under her waterproof;
''what q foolish mamma! Now good
bye! I shall be back before you know
it." And with a kiss Milly disappeared
in the dismal drizzlc with a skip, and
a good little laugh as soon as she was
out of sight at the thought of seeing
Jim.
Arriving at her destination, she softly
crept up into the shelter of q deep door
way and looked down the track, where
she expected even now to see the distant
light of Jim's engine. But not the
~faintest CLEAN was visible. Surprised,
she crcpt along and peered in at the
clock through the station window. The
hands pointed to half-past nine.
THAT stupid old clock!" she ex-
claimed petulantly, US she slipped back
to her hiding-placc, 1--WE might have
known 1t would be too fast or too slow;
it never is right, eycept by accident.
Now Jim's coffee will be as cold as a
stone-and l too, for that matter!" she
added, shivering and drawing closer
into 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 flew through her veins
like fire.
"Don't turn cussed fool now," ex-
claimed a gruff voice IN a hoarse under
tone. sits a little late t. turf soft
hearted just when the game is ours; and
I Amt no hand to put up with no non
sense vnu know that Ri0
81 don't mean nothing-only if I was
sure there wouldn't be no women and
little children-specially little children
ever since little Tillie died ="
''Now bottle that" angrily inter
rupted the other, with a fierce oath.
''lf 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 plumber,
or You back down and I'll put an end to
you. But you shan't stop me-Ill see
to that, Bill"
"Jest give me q pull at the flask and
I'll be all right. I never desert a friend,
you know that, old fellow"
"All right, then" said the other, now
modified; ''let's get to work. Mike is
at his post, is hes
"Yes, jest the other side of the build
ing. If that station chap sets foot out
side before we've had tire to finish our
work Mike will send o bullet into that
sorrel top of his before you could wink.
He will meet us at the old oak ten min
utes after the train is due, and we'll be
off. Now let's 60 up to the cut and get
them rocks down onto the track mighty
lively. There amt much time to spare"
As they noiselesslY moved away the