Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1888-12-28

l wv u udNu buttu tutd bttllC.
| Hold your tongue, fool" said the
first voice. You're half drunk.
tell you thought it was a STEP"
And now Maggie, who had sunk fat
upon the ground, knew all. Those
who whispered near her were train
wreckers.
"I'll make no noise." said she. It's
none Of my business.
But lying in the grass the sharp
strokes OF steel on steel smotc her ear |;
she could not forget them. And sud
denly il came upon her that it was
neither more nor less than murder she
was waiting there to see--that in lying
quiet while it was done she helped to
do it.
Good forgive me !" said poor Maggie.
"Fll not do it, but what am I to do
How will | stop them? IT'S my own
death I'll bring about nothing else"
And just then the sound Of steam
whistle far away caught tho ear. The
train was coming.
''Ready for them. said the voice she
had heard before. Come into the
bushes"
She heard them tramp away. and rose
to her feet and looked about her. There
was no house In sight and no help near.
Suddenly thought struck her. She
had matches in her pocket and her dress
was thin calico-it would burn like
finder In a moment more she had
torn it off and had the match in her
hand. AS she struck light she heard
a pistol click
They see me-" she said, and held
the match against the old calico, and as
it caught Aourishcd it over her head.
She felt bullet whiz by her shoulder,
another struck her. but now the glare
was bright and tho train was close at
hand-she rushed toward II, waving
her burning dress. Thank God they
saw her The train saekened its pace
it stopped. Men with lanterns in their
hands sprang from it and hurried to-
ward her. And the old dress, burnt to
finder, dropped to the ground, and she
sank beside it, the blood flowing from
wound in her arm.
They've killed me, | believe" she
said, family. as u man bent over her.
IL can't show you the place, but it's
beyant therc-the rails they've ripped
them up, tho williams !" Then she
tainted.
When she came to herself she was by
the roadside, and lights fell over her,
and she heard people talking Of the hair
breadth escape they had had aud of her
bravery.
"You risked death to save u.s." said
ono woman. "You shall be rewarded.
My little children were with me
"And am going to meet my wife,"
said gentleman. "She will not let
me forget you, If have so ungrateful
heart. You shall bo well cared for now
and when you are well you shall never
know want"
Indeed, then" said another voice
one that sounded familiar to her-"in-
deed am not rich, but I'd have been
loath to be killed tonight. I'm Just on
the road to what I'd been seeking two
years. | found out yesterday where my
missus is, and I'm goin' to her-she's
breakin' her heart for me. | haven't
much, but there's couple Of pounds IL
you'll take 'em, good woman, and Gods
blessin', for the sake Of Maggie Ryan,
that you've saved from bein' widow"
And u strong hand folded over her
weak one and would have left money in
it, but she caught it tight.
"It's Pat Ryan" she cried. "come
back ut last. Don't you know Maggie.
Pat?"
And two great arms folded her tight
and the poor soul who had tramped the
road, desolate and forsaken. an hour be-
fore, was happy ms the angels are in
heaven.
1t might not be great good luck to
you to be Gagman's wife and live in
n little cottage on the roadside, but
Maggie thinks it 80.
"And 0, Pat !" she often says, show
little did think when Satan was IN
my heart and was willing to lie still
and let happen what might to the heart
less gentlefolk, what | was doing to
myself and to you and after all it's
kind hearts they had and gave you
the Elegant place and me the shanty
and the COW and all. Good luck 10
them"