Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1890-01-04

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Meanwhile twilight was catering !;
the crimson hues on the sky We're melt
ing away in shadows. The travellers. if
Intending to attempt the perilous cross
ing, had better do so now while light
enough remained.
SO said Mary, and her glance was
firm, her cheek unblanched as she
spoke.
Let me go alone" she continued,
"then if anything should happen to me,
you will not feel responsible. Gro, how
ever, 1 must for perhaps my father lies
dying. If so, l will 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 endeayoring 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
now"
She answered him firmly, 81 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. 1t grew
louder every moment r louder and
louder until suddenly the CLEAN
like that of a bloodshot eye was seen
bursting through the darkness far ahead.
The locomotive." gasped Mary. my
God What can we do now?"
She was right. 1t was the train
bound to Paris, sweeping along at full
speed, breathing thunder, steam, and
fire. Nearer and nearer it came, roar
ing and rafting, with its whistle scream
ing. The rail now shook so that the
travellers could scarcely keep their bal
ance.
What matter whether they did mot?
What power could save them now?
They were apparently doomed to Ger
tain destruction with that fearful train
sweeping toward them!
On, on-neGrer, nearer, nearer. It
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 a yawn-
ing abyss-their only support a slender
rail. All hope died from their hearts !
I've must prepare" gasped the girl.
1--WE must die God help usw
OH murmured Harry suddenly,
IF I only had a rope I might possibly
do something to help u.s."
"a rope-thank Heaven! There is
one in my carpet-bag A line upon
which my cousin used to hang her no.
siery|
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 Mary's breast
just beneath the armpits; the other
end, by carefully STOPPING upon his
knees, he contriyed to reeve through and
fasten in one of the holes between the
timber and the rail.
The train was now less than a mile
, distant-in one minute it would reach
the spot occupied by the imperied trav-
elers. On it cam booming along, while
, the rail shook as il going to
pieces Steam, thunder, fire. and
smoke
! God help us" screamed Mary.
, The next moment she felt sudden
jerk, aud became aware that she was
, |1auOIiu,s ian mid mir H.v.oth tho raT