Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1890-04-18
ON THE TRACK.

rie, and the first man / met there was
Abe Wilder, the drawbridge tender. ]
dismounted and fastened my horse and
the one had been leading to tree on
the sheltered side of the station building.
had come to the station full Of
cagerness to meet my wife, who had
been away on a visit of couple OF
days to her sister in H. We had
been married only few months, so that
her short absence from our pretty home
on the prairie had been greatly felt by
me, and lover Like, I was full of long
ing and anxiety for her safe return. So
my disappointment was all the greater
when Abe told mo the train on which
she was coming back to me was two
hours late. But, to while away the
time, Abe proposed that should go
with him to the bridge, only short
distance down the track from the sta
ton. To this 1 consen ted, the more
readily because Abe had been my rival
for Annie's love before we were mar
ried, and my winning her heart aud
hand seemed to make him very unhap-
py and down hearted for q time; but
for all that he had shown me no ill
will. On the contrary, his had ap-
parently been the most sincere and
heartfelt congratulations and well
wishes for our future happiness and
welfare. So when he asked me to go with
him to the bridge, did not hes state to
accept the invitation.
We walked down the track side by
side. l did most of the talking, for he
seemed uneasy and nervous, and l
thought that in this way l could best
calm him, and make him feel less en-
barassed.
The distance from the station to the
bridge was only about ten minutes
walk, and we arrived there without any
interruption. l noticed, however, that
Abe became more and more excited
every moment, and was about to ask
what troubled him, when he turned
upon me suddenly, his eyes ablaze with
the light of madness.
"Curse you'll" he Kissed, grinding his
teeth and bending his face close to
mine. "You have robbed me of all that
makes life worth living. Tonight you
shall prove to me if you are worthy of
that love-
We were standing in front of the lit
tie house at the end of the bridge, and
the light from the open door fell straight
upon his face.
''What do you meant" cried in hor-
ror, for l could see that a madman,
bent upon some fiendish purpose, was
standing before me. His face was
flushed and swollen; the veins upon his
neck and forehead stood out like
cords and pulsed feverishly; his gilt
tering eyes were red and bloodshot,
while his lips were drawn and pale, and
bloodless.
"What do I mean2" he mocked.
"Just this: would give my life for a
smile-for only smile from the woman
love. Now want to see what you
will give for her life."
"Abe, you are crazy" cried with
as steady voice as l could command.
Fright you are. Crazy, mad, in
sane, and you have helped to make me
SO. Only for you l might have been
the happiest man on earth today. If
you prove tonight, however, that you
arc worthy of the love of which you
cheated me, I'll forgive you, and die
with you"
.'Well," said, eff l had thought
that it was to listen to this nonsense
that you invited me to come with you.
would certainly have refused. So will
bid you good night"
turned to walk away; but in mo-.
ment he sprang upon me and with a
blow from coupling pin he was hold
ing in his hand, he felled me to the
ground, insensible.
When / returned to Consciousness
found myself gagged, and bound with
chains to the iron rails, and so securely
that could not move my feet or body,
but my hands were free.
Hooked up and saw Abe standing
above me, watching me closely with q
demons leer upon his face.
When h saw that ! recognized him.