Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-06-13

preternaturally sharp. She seemed to
hear the c1atter Of the approaching train
twelve miles away. The throb, throb,
throb OF the engine kept pace with her
beating heart. She heard the hollow
echoes from the neighboring hills
as the train crept over embank-
ments, It's deal ming clamor as it
| rushed across trestle-work, its dull rum
Ole as 1t rolled over solid ground. She
even seemed to see the engineer as he laid
| MS hand on the escape valve, ready to
give the iron monster voice as it neared
the little mountain town; then the wild
shrek OF the escaping steam, the clangor
OF the bell, the puff, puff, as the train
slackened speed, the clatter Of brakes, the
langle of couplings.
Would she never reach the little red
station house, now plainly in sight at the
end of the smooth graveled road? She was
passing the post-office, where people idly
kgazed 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 the depot platform more loungers,
Jim among them, rolling quid of to-
bacco 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 a mad woman, as she
ran past them. Jim muttered an exple-
tive under his breath, moved by the strong
indignation that must always possess a
| If.rQ TOW nr
mistress does something derOgatory to
the dignity of his ''family."
The station master was in his office,
talking with a gentleman who had come
down from the mountains, and was watt
ing to take the train to the city. He was
clad in very nobby hunting suit, and was
talking with some excitement.
1T has rained all the week." he was
saying; you think it rains here in the
valley, but, great guns! you should be up
IN the mountains in rain Sheets
and sheets Of it-blizzards of sleet and
hail, and the wind blowing like hurri-
cane. We broke camp yesterday. l took
a Decline down here. The rest crossed
the 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 doorway, both
hands pressed to her painting breast. The
words came only too distinctly to her
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 movement Of a
man trained to obey orders, the agent
leaped to his instrument; the other man,
| slower to comprehend, came forward, the
look OF amaZement on his face, as he
viewed the singular apparition in the
doorway, giving place to amused indul-
gence, as he recognized the speaker.
What an eccentric, impetuous girl Kate
Mitchell always was, and what a life she
must lead Tom Middleton!
| ''This is quite an unexpected pleasure,
Mrs. Middleton" he said smiling.
She waved him back with q single i'm
perious gesture. There was q brief
silence. The operator listened intently,
with his head resting on his hand. Kate
Middleton remained standing in the door,
way, her hands clasped low, her face
blanched with dread, and all her soul alb
sorbed in listening. Jack Spencer, slow
|
scene, waited, his interest growing with
every moments delay.
A last it came, the monotonous click.
click, conveying its portentous message
in language unknown to two of the three
| listeners. The operator arose from his
| chair.
Just in time. The train was pulling
out of the station, but they topped her. F."
Kate Middleton clutched al the door
way. For the first time in her life her
head gave way. She was again ON the
sWaying sycamore, and the limb was
cracking, breaking, going down. She felt
the water on her face and opened her
eyes, to lind herself seated in a chair,
Jack Spencer supporting her head, and
the station agent pouring ice cold water
| over her.
"She'l be all right in minute" said
Jack, cheerfully. NOV, Mrs. Middleton,
with your permission, I'll see you home"
She borrowed a hat and cloak from the
station-agent wife. Jim brought up the
horses. Jack Spencer handed her into the
wagon, with grave courtesy. and they
drove off. Some of the loungers, dimly
understanding what she had done, looked
| on curiously. That was all No fuss, no
formal tributes, no spec ch-making even
from the two who understood. There was
no deputation of strong men to tender her
public tribute, in voices shaken by sobs.
Contrary to all tradition, and unlike anv
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 atten-
tive and talkative, and tried, as hard as q
man could, to show his appreciation Of her
brave deed. Perhaps she was EN- barassed
in the consciousness of her odd attire,
and the curious looks cast upon her as she
rode through the village. Perhaps she
was secretly ashamed of her MAD race,
and of the exceptional, unwomanly phys
ical prowess that had made it possible.
notwithstanding the fact that it had saved
many lives. She did iot even invite Jack
to come in when she reached her own
door, but descended from the wagon with
great dignity, and only relaxed a little
when Jack said, very earnestly:
81 shall never underrate the value of
physical training for woman again, Mrs,
Middleton. Some day shall beg to put
nv little daughter under vour t,7ta loco >,