Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1889-09-28


sight, and return to his hotel by
devious route.
mo doubt that was madame
husband" said he. "When madam
shall have explained, all will b
right. Just now | will be on tn
safe side"
Meanwhile poor Maggie ha
gathered herself up, taken her DO.
by the hand, and gone homeward
A deadly fear Of her husband pos
sessed her-she remembered tin
gypsy's prophecy.
"He will kill me-" she said to her
self. "He will kill me before ever
can tell him my story"
Then Maggie, terror stricken, tool
her boy and fled from the home
The dread of being murdered by
the 'jealous dark man" was strong
upon her.
She knew Of an empty hut-once a
flagman's house-which stood be
side the road Here she could hide
until dawn, when Owen would be
miles away. Then she would fly
where she could meet him no more
for she had no hope Of proving the
truth to him.
She had cause for her fear-Owen
meant to kill her. lie fancied hcl
one Of those vile women who have
the seeming ofan angel, and who
mar the lives of men who love them
he would kill her, and then die.
He had not had time to go home.
The hour of his return to the engine
had come upon him almost unaware.
He reached his post only by the
greatest efforts, almost tempted to
desert ii in order to find and slay
the man who had killed his wife.
1t was 10 o'clock, in the lonely
hut by the railway track. Maggie
had put her boy TO sleep, when the
sound Of voices caused her to creep
to the window and look out. There
she saw "A sight that curdled the
blood in her veins-train wreckers
at work-three vile tramps, who
had already placed across the track
a hill of obstacles which would in
sure the destruction of any train
which came upon them in the dark
ness.
They worked by the light of lam
terms, and she heard them chuckling
in tiendish glee.
''Best get out of the way now"
said one, "and be seen at the tavern.
When we hear the whistles Wen
come and help"
"Yes, We'll help, good, charitable
souls that we are said another.
the II O'Clock express going north
will be delayed tonight"
They laughed as they spoke, and
Maggie clasped her hands-the IL
o'clock train was Owens.
The engineer is always the first
victim in IA disaster. The man who
was going to kill her would never
i've to do it if this train met the fate
for it But Maggie never
thought of that. 1t was only her
lear Owen she remembered now
ler loving husband, not the dark,
ealous man from whom she had fled.
If the tramps returned her doom
was sealed; but that did not matter
She covered her boy with cloak
,he had brought, and lighting Il
match, peered at the little silver
watch she wore about her neck.
Ihe train was due in half an hour.
What should she do?
"rhank God for the candles" she
'aid, as she barred the door and
vent out upon the road.
She would not waste her means.
She listened intently-momeuts
eemed hours-but at last she heard
he far away whistle. She knew
now fast the express train flew.
She must be prompt or her efforts
vouli be in vain.
How small the candle looked! The
rain Gid not stop they did not
lotice--a greater flame must be
made. She tore of her gown--the
alico would make IA greater blaze
he tied the sleeves To branch she
ad caught up and set il on fire. The
anger signal sounded; the train |
vas slowing.
"Thank Godw she cried, "Owen
as seen II; he has stoppedw
She ilourished the flaming frag-
lents of her dress sull more wildly,
nd now people were running down
le track, and she was surrounded
y men who thanked her for their
YES, and amongst them Owen.
"Maggiew he cried, "Oh, good
oavens, how did You como herc?"
Good led me, | think, owen, to
we your hfe,"
And Owen, looking into her noble
~ hmm. thnf Ia I'M h..,n ,.nR a..