The Opelousas courier., 1889-10-19

confidence IN nlm. I've got my eye OLE
him pretty close. He went off this after
noon with a queer-looking character,
some stranger friend Of his. Where they
vent to is a mystery; might have been
fishing, though folks don't fish at midi
day. Now" she went on, changing hen
subject with her old vivacity, tits just
about half an hour till supper time. I'll
give you full directions how to go and
you start at once. Walk fast and you'll
be in time. And won'tmother be pleased,
though! You see, I've got my supper
here in a tin pail. I've got to stay and
see the express go by all right
interrupted her with the wish that
she would allow me to remain with her.
But she shook her head.
''No, I haven't enough supper for two
{ and mothers all alone. You can come
back after me if you like, though [ don't
mind the walk alone. Haven't the slight
est idea how it feels to be afraid. Start
right along now; it's a good mile"
She gave me the directions and [ set
{ out, rather reluctantly, it must be con-
fessed.
The station stood somewhat above the
village, the railroad wound past on an
embankment, crossing a river gulley On q
high bridge a short distance to the west
I followed Jqsie's directions; went
down through the village and up the
road leading to her home. Mrs. Mcclure
gave me a delightful welcome and q sup
Der beyond description. We had apleas-
ant talk of old times and new. She spoke
of Josie's goodness and fliai affection un-
til tears came into her eyes and my own
as well.
Then I 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 had
clouded over, as if storm were impend-
ing, and the quiet of the village was un-
earthly.
hurried on; I almost ran, and finally
--J.l H. 44,~, DIT what yTyl INV
surprise to find Josie was not there. She
had not gone home, for her tin pail stood
upon the table and a handkerchief lay on
the floor beneath. Iglanced in the pail.
Her supper was yet untouched. Inc
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" knew that Josie was
ST. W." Whoever it was calling per-
sisted SO that I grew uneasy. Where
could the girl have gone9 At length, as
she did not come, I answered the call.
"Well, what is it?" s'About the ex-
press" the answer came. "There is no
mistaken I hesitated. What should
say2 "Repeat instructions. It. W. is
out for the moment" KNEW only that
the express would come from the west,
and this was a man talking at a station
6fty OF sixty miles to the east. He an
swered after a moment: "Matter Of life
OF 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. No
direct wire from here to A."
a cold chill ran over me. Where was
Josie2 How could I call up the other
s~tation2 made an attempt but got no
answer. I waited a little, but no Josie.
It was growing darker. I rushed out on
the platform and looked up and down.
There was a small shed across the track.
I ran over and wrenched open the door,
but could see nothing for the darkness.
"Josie,n / called despairingly. Hank
What sound was that, faint and ia.
miliar, click, click-click. 81 listened
without breathing. II am here" it
said. "Bound and gagged; tied down SC
I can't get my hands free or stir. I'm
loose me quickly"
cropped nay way into the shed, STUN
bled e piles of wood and came to
something warm and human.
It was a moments work to release her.
"Great God2" I cried, "who did
thisTn
She caught her breath with a gasp.
"Back to the station" she cried,
"don't waste a second.n We ran togeth.
or. She caught the key and called up
the office Ihad spoken with. stVillainy,'
she teIegraphed. "Wire to A cut.
Station man here in plot. Call up A
- by D and O."
"Too late" the answer came back.
"Express has left A by this. Flag
itio
Josie turned and looked at me for an
instant almost despairingly.
aWhat shall / doa The special has
left there. The express has started.
They will meet on the same track. The