Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-01-17
could already hear Marx,s

ing shrlek-could almost see her form,
eleaS'ng the air headlong toward those
dangerous rocks beneath.
meanwhile twilight was gathering.
.ne CRIMSON hues on the sky We're melt.
ing away in shadows. The travellers #
intending to attempt the perilous cross.
ing, had better do so now while liobt
enough remained.
80 said Mary, and her glance was
firm, her cheek unblanched as sha
spoke.
Let me go alone" she continued
then il anything should happen to ME,
you will not feel responsible. Go, how
ever, 1 must. for perhaps my father lies
dying. If so. Twill see him before he
breaths his last!.
Come, then" said Harry; "keep
hold OF my jacket to support yourself
as we go. If should stumble, how
ever, do not hesitate to let go of me.
otherwise, you too, will be dragged
down."
| Mary silently nodded her head in
token of assent, and the two started.
They kept on slowly. carefully, and
steadily, until sudden heavy gust Of
wind made the girl reel! She stopped,
and while endeavoring to recover her
balance, saw the dark rock below, and
thrilled with terror.
over - over - over farther and
farther; she pressed her lips tightly to-
gether-she made one last superhuman
effort, still endeavoring to recover her
balance. An: inch farther and that bal
ance were lost and she precipitated
upon those jagged rock 200 feet be-
meath. Now, however, she raised her
left arm, and that saved her. She
slowly regained her upright position,
and the two continued their course,
Harry unable, without certain destruc-
ton, to turn his head, ignorant of his
companions late narrow escape.
They had only accomplished half
their perilous walk when the night
gloom gathered around them. They
must traverse the rest of the way in
darkness!
Steadily" whispered Harry, encour.
agingly; @for Gods sake don't falter
nowr
She answered him. firmly, II will
not, and she frightened her hold of his
jacket.
At that moment they felt the rail
culver beneath them = strange,
humming noise was heard. It grew
louder every moment - louder and
louder - until suddenly the CLEAN
like that of bloodshot eye was seer
bursting through the darkness far ahead
"The locomotive" gasped Mary. my
God! What can we do now?"
1 She was right. It was the trair
bound to Paris, sweeping along at full
speed, breathing thunder, steam, and
fire. Nearer and nearer it came, roar
ing and rafting, with itswhistle scream
ing. The rail now shook 80 that the
travellers could scarcely keep their bal
ance.
What matter whether they did or not
What power could save them now;
They were apparently doomed to Ger
tain destruction with that fearful trair
sweeping toward them!
On, on-nesrer, nearer, nearer. II
was soon less than three miles distant
The young couple stood still; each
could hear the beating of the Others
heart, for Mary's arms now were around
Harry's waist.
Ahead of them an approaching loco
motive-on each side of them yawn'
ing abyss-their only support slende,
rail. All hope died from their hearts
ave must prepared" gasped the girl
"We must die! God help us!"
| "Oh!" murmured Harry suddenly,
IF only had o rope I might possibly
do something to help us!"
"a rope-thank Heaven! There is
one in my carpet-bag. A line upon
which my cousin used to hang her no.
slery!
| As quickly as the situation would per.
NIT, Harry unslung from his neck the
carpet-bag, and, opening it, took out the
rope, which was quite long and about
as thick as clothes-line. One end Of
this he fastened around Nlary's breast
just beneath the armpits; the other
end, by carefully STOPPING upon his
knees, he contrived to reeve through and
fasten in one of the holes between the
timber and the rail.
The train was now less than mile
distant-in one minute it would reach
the spot occupied by the imperiled trav-
elers. On it camo booming along, while
the rail shook as if going to
pieces. Steam, thunder, fire, and
smoke!
"God help us!' screamed Mary.
The next moment she felt sudden
rtNFN