The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-01-23
SOMERSET. Pa, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28 1889.

down new ravines she ran. Once she cut
her foot cruelty upon sharp stone, and
remembered, FOR the first time. that she
had on the light worsted slippers she
had worn in the house, and had careless
ly neglected TO exchange fvr walking
boots when She started down 10 the creek
with her children. She even belhought
/ herself that her loose house-1ress was
scarcely the style Of apparel IL which she
should ike to present herself at the sta
ton, could she have her chpice, and in
the same breath sent up prayer Of
J thankfulness for its light weight, which
scarcely encumbered her INDICTMENTS.
With all the rest of her stslses dulled,
her hearing appeared to have become
! preternaiurally sharp. She seemed 10 hear
the clatter Of the approaching train u
miles away. TIE throb. throlp, throb Of
the engine kept pece with her beating
heart. She heard the hollow echoes from
the neighboring hills as the train erept
over embankments, its deafening clamor
as it rushed across trestle-wotks, its dull
rumble as it rolled over solid ground. She
even seemed To see The engineer as he
laid bis hand on the escape valve, ready
to give the iron monster voice as il near
ed the little mountain town, then the
wild shrek Of the escaping steam. the
I elangor Of the bell, the puff. puff, Of the
train slackened speed, the chatter Of the
brakes, the jangle ofthe couplings.
Would she never reach the little red
station-h house, now plainly in sight al the
end Of the smooih-grayeled road She
was passing the postofIice, where people
idly gazed at her What matter If only
there we've a horse and buggy. in sight, TO
help her on her way Ii only one Of the
loungers would understand aud take up
the mission which her spent strength
seemed Inadequate to fulfill But she
might not turn aside.
On the depot platform more lonngers,
Jim among them, rolling quid Of tobac-
co IN bis cheek and talking earnestly Of
the state Of the weather and the prospect
Of the growing crops. They all looked
upon her as mad woman, rs she ran
past them jim uttered an expletiye
under his breath, moved by the strong
indignation that must always possess n
sell-respecting servant, when master or
mistress does something derogstory to
the dignity OF his family"
The siation-mester was in his Office,
talking With gentleman who had come
down from the mountains, and was in
waiting to take the train TO the city. tie
was clad in a hunting suit, and was talk
ing with some excitement.
Ii has rained ali the week, he vas
saying; you think il rains here in the
valley, but, great guns you should be Up
in the mountains in rain storm. Sheets
and sheets ofit-blizzards of sleet and
hail, and the wind blowing ike hnrri-
cane we broke camp yesterday I took
bee-line down here the rest crossed
TIE hills 10 the station above. They'll be
down on the 4 o'clock
Voice and speaker were falssilii to the
woman who stood in the doorway, both
hands pressed to her painting breast. The
words came only too distinctly 10 her
quickened senses. Then her premoni-
tons were true, and To,n-Tom was on
that flied train. Again her body reeled,
but her steady bfain saved her
"Stop the train The bridge is gone :"
she cried.
Both mea looked up. startled at the
words. With the prompt movement Of a
man trained 70 obey Orders tie agent
ieaped to his instrument; The other man,
slower to comprehend, came forward, she
look Of amazenent Oh his face, As he
viewed the singular apparition in the
doorway, giving place to amused indul-
genee, as be recognized the speaker.
What an eccentric, impetuous girl Kate
Mitchell always was, aal what life she
must lead Tom Middleton
This is quite an unexpected pleasure,
Mrs. Middleton" he said, smiling.
She waved him back with a single i'm
perious gesture There was a brif silence +
The operator listened intently, with his
head resting on his hand Kate Middle
ton remained standing in the doorway.
her hands clasped low, her face blanched
with dread. and al her soul absorbed in
listening, Jack Spencer. slowly compre
hending the meaning Of the scene. wait
ell, his interest growing with every mo
ment's delay.
At last it came, the ronoionous click,
click, conveying It's portentious message
in language unknown to two of the
three listeners. The operator arose from
his chair
"Just IN time. The train was pulling
oct Of the station, but they stopped her"
Kate Middleton clutclle,l at the door
way. For the first time in Ler life her
head gave way She vas again on the
swaying sycamore, going down. She
felt the water on her face and opened
her ewes to find Jack Spencer supporting (
her head, and the station agent pouring 1
ice-cold water over her.
She'll be all right in a minnie said
Jack. cheerfully. Now, 3Irs. Middleton, 4
with your permission. I'll see you home" /
She borrowed hat and cloak from
the station agents 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 4
fuss, no formal tributes, no speech max
ing even from tie two who understood. /
There was no depatation Of strong men
to tender her public tribute, in voices
shaken by sobs. Contrary to all tradi-
ton, and unlike any heroine who ever
saved train from wreck, she was on the
wrong side of the bridge, and the people
most deeply concel ned we're nine miles
away.
She had little to say On the ride home
ward, although Jack Spencer was atten-
tive and laxative and ,ried. as hard as
a man could, to show bis appreciation Of
her brave deed. Perhaps she was EN-
barFassed in the consciousness of her odd
attire, and the curious looks east upon
her as She rode through the village