Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-09-26
BRAVE MARY SEXTON.
How She Saved Her Lover and
the Express Train. g..

How She Saved Her Lover and
the Express Train. ...
'Is it true, John, that you are to
bring in the express tomorrow night?"
There was q world Of solicitude in
Mary Sections voice as she looked up
into John Manning's face, her eyes
showing, even more than her voice, the
dread which had taken possession of her.
"It's true, Mary, darling, but have no
fear. There are no road agents in these
parts, nowadays, and I'm quite sure
that the modern tramp has not pluck
enough to wreck train" and John
smiled as he endeavored to reassure his
sweetneart that there was no danger in
connection with the trip.
"But Long Lake is nearly even full,
and it was said this morning that the
dam might break. In that case there
will be plenty of danger at Long Lake
pass" pursued Mary.
"Tush, little one, that's only the talk
of man who knows nothing about the
dam. It's strong enough, and you need
never fear about its breaking. Good
bye, sweetheart" he said, bending over
and pressing his lips to hers.
But she still clung to him, 10th to let
him start but he disengaged himself
and stepped into the cab of his iron
horse, pulled open the throttle, and
slowly the train rumbled away in the
darkness from Hornellsville station to-
ward the mining camp in the mountains
fifty miles away, which was the other
terminus of the branch, leaving Mary
on the platform, her eyes too bedimmed
by tears to see her lover.
All that night and the next day, a
vague feeling Of impending danger
filed her heart, and her apprehension
became more intense when rain began to
fall in torrents early in the afternoon.
The D. l.. & S. branch runs from Hor-
nellsville to Mortality Camp up in the
mountains, fifty miles away. The first
ten miles arc down steep grade and
toward narrow valley. Then the track
Is laid between two ranges Of hills, the
pass not being more than mill across
in its widest part. Just at the base of
Long Lake, an immense body of water
which furnished power to numbers of
stamping mills close by In the pass, the
road turns sharply to tho right. To
avoid tunneling, the road then doubles
completely, and runs back, almost par
allel to its first course, to Downer's
Bend, within two miles of Mary's home.
Thus the first twenty odd miles OF the
road run in the shape of an elongated
loop. The branch then continues on an
easy stretch to Mortality Camp. The
run from Hornellsville to the camp
usually occupies nearly two hours, but
the return trip could be made in trife
over an hour and half.
Every one in Hornellsville knew Mary
Sexton, but she was constant lass, and
she had smiles for no lover but the
sturdy engineer, John Manning, the
friend Of her youth, the man who fol
years had been almost brother to her
for Mary was an orphan and had knowI
the tender solicitude Of parent only II
early childhood. 1t was only natural
therefore, that the station and the
freight-house were places of engrossins
interest to her, and that after she hat
acquired knowledge Of reading ant
writing, she should solve the intricacie:
Of telegraphy. She was an apt pupil
and for many months had been in the
habit OF relieving the regular day op
orator from time to time.
Itwas considerably after eight O clocl
In the evening, when Mary left he
home for the station, and though sh,
knew she had to wait until 9:40 o'clocl
for Johns train to return, she could no
rest easily while there was any doubt a
to the solidity Of Long Lake dam,
She stepped into the station fev
minutes before the half-hour, prepare,
to ask for the latest news, but sh
paused with surprise when she saw tha
the place was empty. She was still
wondering whittier the operator ha
gone, when her accute ear caught tn
call ky" repeated again and agai
with what seemed to be feverish rapid
ity, Without stopping to remove he
shawl, she hastened to the instrument
opened the key and gave the answerin
symbol There was brief pause, an
then hurriedly she read:
"Dam at Long Lake likely to go at any M
tent Water even with top Stampers hay
fed to high ground HIT"
"HT'' was the signature of the or
orator at the company's mills, just be
meath the lake, and she recognized
instantly. Opening the key again, sh
ratified off:
What time is the express due therei"
The reply came: .-.'
IN fifty minutes, or at e:17. Tried to &,
Mortality Camp, but got no answer. II Il
train gets into the pass Just as dam break
every one will be lost"
The message abruptly ended, an
Mary realized that something ha
caused the operator to leave his II
strument Instinctively she saw th
danger to John and the sexpres
Though her heart throbbed like an el
gine, she lighted a red lantern, anC
fastening with a wild, unreasoning in
A. i L -