Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-02-21

esfins on her forehead. She gave me
a good, hearty ha~nd-shakinr AND or.
oefed me into the station.
GRACIOUS" said +; "not mncb
more han a she'd. Do o have 4 oil
to yourself?' '"1'
Pretty often. There's a man a,o,na
sometimes, but he's a lazy sort Of a
creature, and, to tell the truth +
haven't much confidence in him Two
got my eye on him pretty close. Ia
VENT on this afternoon with a queer
looklng character, some stranger friend
of his. Where they went to is a mvs-
sery; might have been fishing, though
folks don't fish at midday. Now" she
went on. changing the subject with her
old vivacity, its Just about half an
hour till supper time. I'll give YOU
full directions how to go and you start
a. once Walk fast and you'll be in
time. And won't mother be pleased.
though? You see, I've got my supper
here in a tin pail. I've got to stay and
see the express go by all right
interrupted her with the wish that
she would allow me to remain with her.
But she shook her head.
No, [ haven't enough supper for
two and mothers all alone. You can
come back after me if you like, though
l don't mind the walk alone. Haven't
the slightest idea how it feels to be
afraid. Start right along now; it's a
good mile"
She gave me the directions and I set
out, rather reluctantly, it must be con-
fessed.
The station stood somewhat above the
village, the railroad wound past on an
embankment, crossing a river gulley on
a high bridge a short distance to the
west.
L followed Josie's directions; went
down through the village and up the
road leading to her home. Mrs. Nc
Clure gave me a delightful welcome and
a supper beyond description. We had
o pleasant talk of old times and new.
She spoke of Josie's goodness and tilial
affection until tears came into her eyes
and my own as we'll.
Then l ros to return to the station.
shall never know precisely what
thought it was came into my mind and
caused me to hasten my footsteps. Time
had flown. 1t was 8 o'clock and after,
and growing quite dark. The sky had
clouded over, as if q storm we're i'm
pending, and the quiet of the village was
unearthly.
hurried on; [ almost ran, and finally
reached the station. But what was my
surprise to find Josie was not there.
She had not gone home, for her tin pail
stood upon the table and a handker-
chief lay OH the floor beneath. /
glanced in the pail. Her supper was
yet untouched. The place was growing
dark and no lamp lighted. Suddenly,
"click, click" from the table. listened,
and knew that some one was calling up
this station. "T. w." "T. W." L
knew that Josie was "T. w" Whoever
it was calling persisted so that I grew
uneasy. Where could the girl have
gone? At length. as she did not come,
l answered the call. well. what is it?"
About the express theanswer ami
"There is no mistake" [ hesitated.
What should I say? Repeat instruc-
tions. It. W. is ont for the moment"
1 knew only that the express would
come from the west, and this was a
talking at the station fifty or sixty miles
to the east. He answered after a mo-
ment: Matter Of life or death. Ex-
press will leave A in ten minutes.
Should switch al p {Josie's %station)
and wait for special from east to pass.
Other train blocked with freight. For
Gods sake, fix it right. No direct wire
from here to A.
A cold chill ran over me. Where
was Josie? How can I call up the
other station? I made an attempt but
got no answer l waited a little, but no
Josie. 1t was growing darker. I rushed
out on the platform and looked up and
down. There was q small shed across
the track. I ran over and wrenched
open the door, but could see nothing for
the darkness. Josie" I called despair
ingly. Hark! What sound was that,
faint and familiar, click, click, click. I
listened without breathing. Il am
here" it said. Bound and gagged;
tied down so I can't get my hands free
or stir. Unloose me quickly
1 cropped my way into the shed,
stumbled over piles OF wood and came
to something warm and human.
It was a moments work to release
her.
"Great God" I cried, who did
this?"
She caught her breath with a gasp.
Back to the station!' she cried;