Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1890-03-22

heart, as if some envenomed arrow had
stung him.
He went to the engine-house, three
miles down the river. He looked at the
great glittering Sirius with eyes of lov-
ing sadness.
"Old hero, said he, you are destined
to come between me and my lady-love,
it seems. But duty weighs in the bal
ance on your side, and when duty comes
to the front, love must stand aside, aye,
even if it tears your heart as it goes.
1t was nearly s o'clock when the little
train was made up--the train which was
to make the trial trip over the new road
and as Steele stood talking with one Of
the sturdy, red-shirted brakemen, he saw
light carriage whirl by, up tho wide
road.
Somebody's horse don't like the way
the Sirius blows off steam," said he
laughing.
Its Walter Eagleson's new bay" OBJ
served the brakeman. "A skittish beast,
but there's the making Of a fine roadster
in him -
walter Eagleson Going for Mamie
Smith. most likely, Steele told himself.
And the envenomed arrow seemed to
turn anew in the wound.
The little brunette did not enjoy her.
self at Falcon Falls as much as she ex-
pected. The music was delightful-old
Sol Emrick with the violin, and his three
sons with cornet, flute. and French horn,
formed no contemplate band the floor
was freshly waxed and there was no
lack of partners. Moreover, her dress
was prettier than that of any other of
the rustic bellies, and the moon was at
the full; yet, somehow, the affair at
Falcon Falls seemed to her a failure
She thought Walter Eagleson talked too
loud and laughed too much, He GER
tainly didn't understand her step in the
waltz asSreele did
Altogether, he was not such an agree
able companion as she had fancied, he
would be. She almost wished-no, she
didn't either. Eben Steele must learn
what it means to risk the displeasure of
the belle of the Red Fastness
But, just as the rustic merry-making
was breaking up, as all the guests stood
laughing and talking about the steps of
the broad platform, messenger rode up
with deadly pale face.
Have you any brandy here, said he,
"and lint and bandages? There's been
an accident on the new road. One of the
rails broke and flung the train off the
track, just in that wild place where
they've blasted down the side hill, and
the engineer and three of the passengers
are killed, and two or three others badly
hurt.
The man was instantly surrounded by
eager questioners, while package of
necessaries was being put up for him.
But Mamie Smith shrank back into the
leafy silence of the woods, trembling
and CHASTITY white
1t can't be, ;" she said to herself. SIT
can't be. saw him this very evening.
talked with him. Itsoply bad dream.
l shall awake presently. But-but 1
wish hadn't quarrelled with him.
And then the terrible certainty seemed
to overflow her heart with a wild tide of
woe, and Mamie lost consciousness.
"She is better now. Stand back boys.
Give her little air. +"
Then it had been only fearful dream.
after ALL Eben Steele was not dead.
Eben Steele was alive, and at her side.
And with slowly opening eyes she saw
his face, dark, earnest, but OIL in her
sight so unutterably beautiful in the lit
tie crowd that surrounded the sofa upon
which she lay.
"It's all right now, said Katie electro,
the daughter of their host of the evening.
II knew Aunt PollY's salts would bring
her to. Aunt Polly's salts never failed yet.
Sit up, Mamie, dear, let me fix your
hair.
But Mamie put her impatiently away,
saying:
what was it that heard? Who told
me that the engineer of the Sirius was
killed."
at isn't so easy to kill me, Mamie, "
said Eben Steele, trying to laugh as he
advanced and took her hand. "Yes, I
know the bandage around my head has
rather a CHASTITY effect, but the cut is a
mere trife, after all. There is none of
us killed but it was narrow escape.
And the president is going to sue the
fellow who sold us those defective rails.
Good steel is good STEEL says he with
his hand on my shoulder and twinkle
in his eye, but bad steel won't do any
how And my salary is to be raised at
once; and Nannie-whenever you please
to name the day"
Then you forgive Ene2' said Mamie,