Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1890-05-31

teeth cleaned through his matted mus
tache.
The poor girl almost tainted as he drew
the horrid picture.
But he will not know how to call the
station, she said to herself; they will
not heed him.
He turned to her with sudden intelli-
gencc.
"What is Ewing's CALI" he asked, land
your signature: Quick-give it to me
quick :"
A CLEAN of hope flashed over Mabel.
"Ewing's is H." she said, at random,
"and | sign T. P"
But even as she spoke she saw the mad
man reading the station calls, which she
had forgotten hung right over the instru-
ment.
DO you dare to tell me lie p he cried.
"Thc call is b. and Redding's is s."
and calling up the station he quickly
clicked off the message.
"Come on, come on, the track is clear,
he cried, as he licked the words.
He had cunning enough to stop there.
Mabel glanced at the clock. The message
had been sent ten minutes too soon. Oh!
if they would only suspect something,
and beg to have it repeated; but no-the
answer came back: 80. K.
The train had left the turnout now, and
if the south-bound was on time a disaster
Of some sort was inevitable.
Oh. if she could only rush out and call
some one, or give one loud shriek Oh,
why did not the station-master drop in
At her least movement the maniac,
like the ancient mariner, fixed her with
his gIittering eye, and she became cold
and rigid as stone and could only dumbly
pray. But stealthily, each time he turned
away those fearful eyes, she moved her
chair slightly, getting more to 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 benumbed with a general
feeling of horror We're all her faculties.
Suddenly her acute ear caught the low
rumble in the distance The madman's
was equally keen.
"Thcy're coming !" he shouted.
| "Theyre coming. Come on! Come
| on On to the grand battle of the iron
Bteed5 Hurrah Hurrah =
And as he spoke the key clicked out
the words. His eyes were turned away
his ear bent to his instrument
Swiftcr than the wind, sudden as the
| lightning stroke, Mabel darted out the
door She did not run toward the station
house to seek help, but straight up the
railroad track she flew, right in the di
rection of the incoming train. She did
not cry aloud that would attract the
mailman to her; but ON through the
darkness white, breathless, trembling in
every nerve, she fled like a 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 see
me in time Oh, Frank, Frank, look out
for me. !"
Round curve couple of hundred
yards away the light of the bulls-eye
streamed. 1t seemed horrible, the frail
| girl rushing on so desperately to meet
this tiery-eyed monster. But on, on she
flew, waving above her head the torn
white dress
Once she glanced behind. Gracious
heavens In the dim light she saw a tall,
gigantic figure pursuing her with giant
strides.
Il am lost !" she moaned. But, oh |!
let the train be saved-let Frank be
saved, and am willing to die.
She stands still in the middle of the
track as the glare of the headlight strikes
her, enveloping girl and waving banner
in lurid light,
Frank has seen her. A shrill whistle
to 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
to 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, glare, a scorch-
ing heat, a 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
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 rivulet 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,
the,a IL