Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1892-07-02


DAUGHTER. NOw.n
but wild-wild as can be. Why, see !!
there is the landlords daughter now"
In a mist Of anguish, poor Eunice
looked. Dazzling in gaudy array, ousten-
tatious, loud-voiced, the girl in ques-
shoulder was the self-same bit of blue
ribbon Eunice had given the man she
loved.
1t was three miles to the town from
the grove. A storm drove the celebrants
home by train at dusk.
AS they stepped aboard the cars, a
gloating smile overspread Ransom
Clarke's sinister face.
He had played his cards well; he had
pressed the golden opportunity. Piqued
at Percy Grey's seeming perfidy, reck-
less of all save pride and humiliation,
heart broken Eunice Alden had prom
Used to be the wife Of Ransom Clarke!
Triumphant was his plotful heart,
black was that evil heart, too, for, at
that very moment, the rival he had
cheated was in mortal peril Of his life.
The storm had passed, but fitful gusts
wind and spatters Of rain swept the car
windows its first mile homeward bound.
Eunice Alden shrank from the gloat-
ing-faced, familiar companion whom she
had accepted in a moment of foolish
pique.
Suddenly there was sharp shrek OF
the whistle Of the locomotive, the wheels
ground over thunderous trestlework, "a
great blue fare of light flashed up,
flashed down, and, with a terrific jar,
the train came to stop.
Men were hurled from their seats,
women shrieked and tainted, people
crowded to the platforms.
What has happened?"
An accident-a cOllisiOn!"
The throng, pale and perturbed, has
tened to the front of the train. A shud-
der permeated every heart as they saw
in the glare of the headlight two freight
cars, one closed, one gondola loaded
loaded with heavy rails, and standing
directly across the tracks.
"A narrow escape" chartered the con-
ductor. A sorry Fourth of July If the
locomotive had ever struck those cars"
But how came they across the
switch?" queried an agitated voice.
Dunno, only whoever signaled dan
ger at the trestle saved all your lives,
sang out the fireman from the cab.
YES" chimed in the engineer, Il saw
a bright blue flare, wild figure, and
I'm afeard we ran him down."
mol" cried the conductor, as train
hands approached with lanterns-"see!
they've got someone with them"
"Hurrah!" cried one of the newcom-
ers. Here he is-the hero who sig
nailed us. He dropped to the creek as
the engine went by"
Him" gasped Ransom Clarke, turn
ing deathly white. Come, Eunice, we
we will not remain here"
Yes, 1 shall! Oh! what does this
mean?"
What, indeed; for, pale, with disor-
dered apparel, grimed, wild-eyed, the
hero of the trestle washer recreant
lover.
"Percy-Percy Grey" cried a score
of voices, you saved the train!" and
fervent hands grasped his own, and
women blessed him for his bravery.
Yes, 1 signaled the train. spoke
Percy Grey, in hOarse, excited tones,
but the person who is so nearly re-
sponsible for death, ruin, and disaster
is-yonder scoundrel!"
He fixed his burning glance on Ran
craven.
Yes, Eunice; leave that mans side.
A villain!-a-"
Hold! Do you dare insult my afi-
anced wife," clustered Clarke.
Your affianced wife? Oh! I see it all
now! You poltroon-you coward!"
With a spring, Percy Grey gained the
side of Clarke. He caught him by the
throat. Holding him firmly, he addressed
the wondering crowd.
This miscreant, my pretended friend,
won my confidence early this morning."
spoke Percy. All the time he plotted
to rob me of the love Of the woman who
rules my heart. He drugged a glass of
lemonade drank with him, robbed me
of a memento-a blue carried
me to that close freight car, and locked
me III, insensible."
An angry roar escaped the throng.
There, in stupor, lay till an hour
since. The wind blew these cars across
the track. In agony, worked at the
locked door. 1 gained freedom, to hear
this train rushing on to destruction.
The trestle! a match! a box of blue
fire in my pocket! You poltroon! What
have you to say?"
Il did it-but-not to imperil Hfe!"
chartered the terrified culprit. Help!
Don't murder met"
He had broken free, to be pursued by
blows and missiles. Bleeding, wretched,
he was lost in the darkness, and, thence
forth. to Lakeville.
My darling!" And 1 doubted you!'
sobbed Eunice, as she kissed her real
lover adieu at the gate that night.
The last faint echoes of the Fourth of
July were dying away in hill and dale
the placid stars shone forth.
But never can again, murmured
Percy, tenderly. See; the clouds have
rolled away-heaven's true blue looks
down upon US, and love has won it's
happiest reward on this joyful, glorious
Fourth Of July.