Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1890-04-30

"The call is B. a l.edding's is So
and calling up the station he quickly
clicked off the mess; e.
"Come on, come the track is clear"
be cried, as he ticke,. the words
He had cunning e. ugh to stop there.
Mabel glanced at the ,ck The message
had been sent ten INMATES too soon. Oh!
if they would only suspect something,
and beg to have it repeated; but no-the
answer came back: 30. X.
The train had left the turnout now and
if the south-bound was on time disaster
of some sort was inc ltable.
Oh, if she could only rush out and call
some one, or give one loud shrek Oh,
why did not the station-master drop in?
At her least movement the maniac,
like the ancient mariier. fixed her with
his glittering eve and she became cold
and rigid as stone. and could only dumbly
pray But stealthilv. each time he turned
away those fearful eyes. moved her
chair slightly, getting more @ his back
and near the door. Once outside the
door. she might lose herself in the dark
ness while she ran for aid.
for the train must be warned. Oh,
heavens some one must be found, and
quickly. quickly. to fly up the track, and
with waving lantern stop the engine from
rushing to its fate.
And who was on that engine: Oh,
God she had actually forgotten till that
moment so benuml d with a general
feeling of horror were all her faculties.
Suddenly her acute ear caught the low
rumble in the distance. Inc madman's
was equally keen.
They're coming = he shouted.
"They're coming. Come on! Come
on On to the grand battle of the iron
steeds Hurrah Hurran
And as he spoke the key clicked out
che words. His eyes were turned away;
his ear bent to his instrument.
Swifter than the wind, sudden as tho
lightning stroke. Mabel darted out the
door. She did not run toward the station
house to seek help, bat strai Int up the
railroad track she flew. rig in the di-
rection of the incoming tram. She did
not cry aloud that would attract the
madman to her: but on through the
darkness. white. breathless, trembling in
every nerve, she fled like young deer;
and as she ran she tore, with frantic
hands. breadth after breadth of the light
summer dress she wore.
1T is so dark they will not be able to
see me till they are nearly on me, she
thought: mot till get in the blaze of
the headlight. But if only they do sec
me in time Oh, frank, Frank. look out
for me. -
Round a curve couple of hundred
yards away the light of the bull's-eyc
streamed, II seemed horrible, the frail
girl rushing on so desperately to meet
this fiery-eyed monster. But ON. on she
flew, waving above her head the torn
white dress.
Once she glanced behind. Gracious
heavens In the din light she sawa tall,
gigantic figure pursuing her with giant
strides.
Of am lost - she moaned. But, oh
let the train be saved-let Frank be
saved, and | am w ling to die.
She stands still lh the middle Of tho
track as the glare of the headlight strikes
her, enveloping girl and waving banner
in lurid light
Frank has seen her. A shrill whistle
10 down brakes wakes the mountain
echoes. The watchful engineer, with
his hand upon the throttle and his head
leaning far out, motions frantically TO
the girl to leave the track. She turns to
do so. They have seen her. They are
saved-they are saved! Thank God
But, as she turns, grip like lions
claw seizes her arm she struggles madly
10 wrench herself free, or to drag her
captor with her off the track Her foot
stumbles against the iron rail and both
man and girl fall PROSTATE before the adj
vancing engine.
As though the internal regions had
opened to engulf them, a glare, a scorch-
ing heat, rush Of escaping steam, one
thrill of keenest pain, and Mabel knew no
more.
Before the engine had fairly stopped
Frank Ray was on the ground. He had
recognized Mabel, and seen her fall in the
grasp of the fierce-looking man.
Springing from the engine he dashed
up to her as the pilot passed over the
white. huddled heap. A shrek that
might have walked the dead burst from
his pallid lips.
Il have murdered her !" he moaned.
And with frantic efforts he seized her
white dress. 1t was wedged in the
wheels.
All was darkness and confusion.
The men brought their lanterns. Then
they saw streams Of blood flowing from
under the engine, saturating the white
dress and forming riyulet by the side OF
the road Strong men turned sick.
Franks brain reeled.
Back the engine :" he called wildly;
then staggered up to obey his own order.
Slowly the wheels made two revolu-
tions. and again the q gineer leaped down
where his victims lay. The man had
fallen nearest the engine A wheel had
passed over him. He was quite dead and
horribly mangled.
Mabel-was she dead: Was she in
jured: The young engineer seized her
with trembling hands, while his heart
stood still.
~She breathes. She is not dead !" he
cried, as. kneeling on the track, he
clasped the blood-stained form to his
bosom. Some water Quick
And as in a twinkling the water was
brought. he bathed her face and held it
to her lips.
With a low moan Of pain, Mabel
opened her eyes. The strange faces
around. the lurid light from the engine,
her own bloody garments, would have