The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-09-18

mind the walk alone. Haven't the slight
est idea how it feels to be afraid. Star
right along now; it's good mile"
She gave me the directions and I sci
out, rather reluctantly, it must be con-
fessed.
4 The station stood somewhat above th'
, village, the railroad wound past on az
cmbankment,' crossing river gulley on ,
high bridge short distance to the west
| I followed Josie's directions; went
down through the village and up the
road leading to her home. Mrs. Mcclure
I gave me delightful welcome and sup
per beyond description. We had apleas'
ant talk of old times and new. She spoke
4 of Josie's goodness and filial affection un'
| til tears came into her eyes and my OWE
/ as well.
Then rose to return to the station.
I shall never know precisely what
thought it was came into my mind and
caused me to hasten my footsteps. Time
| had flown. It was 8 o'clock and after,
and growing quite dark. The sky hae
clouded over, as if storm were impend
ing, and the quiet Of the village was un
earthly.
hurried on; I almost ran, and finally
reached the station. But what was my
surprise to find Josie was not there. She
had not gone home, for her tin pail stood
upon the table and handkerchief lay on
the floor beneath. Iglanced in the pail.
Her supper was yet untouched. The
place was growing dark and no lamp
lighted. Suddenly, "click, click, " from
the table. Listened and knew that some
one was calling up this station. "T.
W.,""T. W." I knew that Josie was
ct. W." Whoever it was calling per-
sisted so that I grew uneasy. Where
could the girl have gomez At length, as
she did not come, I answered the call.
"Well, what is it2" "About the ex-
press" the answer came. "There is no
mistake?" I hcsitated. What should !
saya "Repeat instructions. IT. W. is
out for the moment" knew only that
the express would come from the west,
and this was man talking at station
fifty or sixty miles to the cast. He an
swered after moment: "Matter OF life
or death. Express will leave Ain
ten minutes. Should switch at P
Josie's station) and wait for special from
east to pass. Other train blocked with
freight. For Gods sake, fix it right. Nt
direct wire from here to A."
A cold chill ran over me. Where wa
Josic2 How could I call up the othe,
station2 I made an attempt but got nc
answer. I waited little, but no Josie.
1t was growing darker. ! rushed out OF
the platform and looked up and down,
There was small shed across the track.
ran over and wrenched open the door,
but could see nothing for the darkness.
"Josie," I called dcspairingly. Hark!
What sound was that, faint and ia.
miliar, click, click-click. 81 listened
without breathing. ~ am here" it
said. "Bound and gagged; tied down SC
I cant get my hands free or stir. Un'
loose me quickly"
I CROPPED my way into the shed, STUN
blcd over piles of wood and came x
something warm and human.
rrIt.was moments work to release her.
sGreat God2" I cried, "who did
this7n
She caught her breath with gasp.
tsBack to the station" she cried,
"dont waste second" We ran togeth.
or. She caught the key and called ur
the Office had spoken with. "Villainy,n
she tclegraphed. "Wirc to A cut.
Station man here in plot. Call up a
D. and g."
"Too late," the answer came back
"Express has left A. by this. Flag
i'll"
Josie turned and looked at me for ar
instant almost despairingly.
"What shall l do' The special hal
left there. The express has started
They will meet on the same track. The
scoundrels came on me just as had
taken note of the special, so I should
make no mistake"
sWe must flag the express" I cried.
"We must flag both" she said. "Thi,
may not be all that has been done.'
While speaking she had turned to light
the lamp and I could see how pale sh.
was.
GA lantern" I said then. She hastened
to q box in the corner and took it out
We trimmed and lighted it.
ssThis is only oue," she said. stWi
need two. Take this and go down the
track-you know, to the west. Stop the
express aud tell them-that is all. Twill
run to the nearest house, get another
lantern and go the other way"
I shuddered.
"Suppose those men come upon youi
No, you shall not 60 alone. I will
60"
"Hush!" she said. $50 quickly. The
express is most here"
And I obeyed. And as ran trembled
at the thought of her peril. trembled
so that the lantern shook, but I ran on.
JOSIE ENDS THE STORY.
This was as far as Sam could write,
poor boy. He always shudders when he
speaks of that night. But it was nothing
after all so terrible. I got the other
lantern in great haste, not from IN ny neigh.
Dor, for there was no time, but o ut from
behind-the box in the corner. Luckily
- l.