Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1888-08-03

Would she never reach the little
red station house, now plainly in
sight at the ead of the smooth grav-
eled road? She was passing the
postoffice, where people idly gazed at
her. What matter If only there
were horse and buggy in sight to
help her on her way! II only one of
the loungers would understand and
take up the mission which her spent
strength seemed inadequate to fulfil
But she might not turn aside.
On tie depot platform more loung-
ers, Jim among them, rolling quid
OF tobacco in his cheek and talking
earnestly about the state of the
weather and the prospects of the
growing crops. They all looked
upon her as mad woman, as she
ran past them Jim muttered an ex-
| pletive under his breath, moved by
the strong Indignation that must al
wavs possess a seifrespecting Ser
want, when master or mistress does
something derogatory to dignity OF
his family"
talking with gentleman who had
come down from The mountains, ald
was waiting to take the train TO the
citv He was clad in hunting suit
and was talking with some excite
| ment
at has rained all the week" he
was saying; "vou think it rains here
in the valley, but, great gunsl you
should be up in the mountains ia
rain storm. Sheets aud sheets of it
billiards of sleet aud hail, and the
wind blowing like hurricane. We
broke camp yesterday. | took bee
line down here. The rest crossed
hills to the station above. They'll
be down on the four O'clock"
Voice and speaker were familiar to
the woman who stood in the door
way, both hands pressed to ber pant
breast. The words came only to dis
tinctIy to ber quickened senses. Then
her premonitions were true, and Tom
Tom was on that fated train. Again
her body reeled, but her steady brain
saved her.
"Stop the train! The bridge is
gone!" she cried.
Both men looked up, startled at
the words. With the prompt move
ment of man trained TO obey orders
the agent leaped to bis instrument;
the other man, slower to compre-
herd, came forward, the look of
amazcment on his face, as he viewed
the singular separation in the door
way. giving place to amused indui-
gence. as he recognized the speaker
What an eccentric, impeuuous girl
Kate Mitchell always was, AID what
life she must lead Tom Middle
ton!
"This is quite an unexpected pleas
ure, Mrs. Middleton" he said smil-
ing.
She waved him back with single
imperiou5 gesture. There was
brief silence, The operator listened
intently, with his head resting on his
hand Kate Middleton remained
standing in the doorway, her hands
clasped low, her face blanched with
dread, and all her soul absorbed in
listening, Jack Spencer, slowly com
pretending the meaning of the scene,
waited, his interests growing with
every moments delay.
At last it came, the monotonous
click, click, conveying its protein
tious message in u language unknown
to two of the three anxious listen
ers. The operator arose from his
chair.
Just in time. The train was pull
ing out of the station, but they stop
ped her"
Kate Middleton clutched at the
doorway. For the first time in her
life her head gave way. She was
again on the swaying sycamore, and
the limb was cracking, breaking, 60
ing down. She felt the water on her
face, and the station agent pouring
ice cold water over her.
"She'll be all right in minute"
said Jack, cheerfully. Now, Mrs
Middleton, with your permission, I'll
see you home"
She borrowed hat and cloak from
the station agents wife. Jim
brought up the horses Jack Spen'
Ger handed her into the wagon with
grave courtesy, and they drove off
Some of the loungers dimly under
standing what she had done, looked
on curiouslv. That was all. No
fuss, no formal tributes, no speech
making even from the two who un-
derstood. There was no deputation
of strong men to tender her tribute,
in voices shaken by sobs.
Contrary to all tradition, and un-
like any hero or heroine who ever
saved a train from wreck, she was on
the wrong side of the bridge, and the
people most deeply concerned were
nine miles away.
She had little to say on the ride
home ward, although Jack Spencer
was attentive and talkative, and tried,
az hard as man could, to show his
appreciation of her brave deed. Per-
haps she was embarrassed in the
consciousness of her odd attire, and
the curious looks cast upon her as
she rode through the village. Per
haps she was secretly ashamed of her
mad race, and of the exertional, un-
womanly, physical prowess that had
made it possible, Notwithstanding the
fact that she had saved many lives.
She did not even invite Jack to come
in when she reached her own door.
but descended from the wagon with
great dignity, and only relaxed lit
tie when Jack said, very earnestly:
81 shall never underrate the value
of the physical training for woman
again, Mrs. Middleton. Some day |
shall beg to put my little daughter
under your tutelage."
Which was great concession for
, Jack, whose little daughter was the
, apple of his eye, and whom he had
/ hitherto only looked to making an ac-
, complshed woman. of elegant man
ners.
Neither honor or praise awaited
| Kate in her own home. Bridget
, scolded her and put her to bed, and
declared that she "wud surely catch
L.. Joo1h - oo1J on' Oh ~