Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-12-09

awful chasm were a commonplace Incl
dent. The merchant from San Diego
had ceased his eternal figuring in noto-
book, and now gazed through the glass,
though he remained indifferent to the
presence Of any fellow creatures. The
commercial traveller had returned and
deposited himself, his plaid cap, and his
magenta necktie upon the seat across the
aisle, where he kept up running COM
ment on the state Of things, which was
intended for Miss Denslow's ears, but
was addressed to Number Eleven.
The train receded to the west brink o.
the canon and came to another halt with
thud which shook the heavy carriages
violently.
Joe appeared. His face was pallid
beneath the dark exterior.
"Fo' de lan'l We's don fixed now"
The employees swarmed backward
Though the car.
Before and behind the road had been
torn up, demolished. The iendish wor
of few moments had caused the delay
of hours, and already the early dusk wa
settling down: But life was sate-sC
far.
"Who could have done it-and whyf
"Some lurking band Of thieves, nc
doubt, hoping to rob the train"
"They took a deal of trouble. They
could have 'held US up without making
themselves so much work" " said the mar
with the loud necktie. "There's only
one solitary passenger in the other Pull
man."
Miss Denslow turned sick with fear
The utter desolation of her position ap'
palled her. Why had she done this fool
hardy thlngl Yet, why should she have
thought of danger; or how foretell that
she would be the only woman on board
that east-bound trainl And the doctor !
letter had been so urgent. Her aunt was
dying and needed her. She felt as i
suffocating, and hurried toward the
door.
"I wouldn't lady, Bettah stay inside
Yo' needn' be sca'ed. We kin take Ca
o yo', lady. Mebbe muffin won't hap
pen. Mebbe it's on'y fOolin'," urged
the porter. gently. Helen had been q
generous patron and not fault-fnding.
She had almost compensated to the chi
valrous porter for his empty car, and,
therefore, almost empty pocket.
"Open the door, quickl must ge
out of this prisoul" In an instant sh'
had sprung to the frozen ground an'
was running bliudly, wildly forward
She passed the trains length and carc
to the cauon's brink. AS she flew by
them her pale face was illumined by the
flare Of the trainmen's torches, scarcbir!
the disasters extent.
"Oh, lady! Don't go down there
Take carel It's tough place."
At the touch of the brakemans hau'
on her arm the girl stopped. Her un
reasoning fear left her as suddenly as
had come, and she was her cool, aler
self again.
"Have you telegraphed for helpl"
"That's the worst-the wire are cut.
"Sent some one, then"
"Yes-if the messenger amt stopped.
.Did such a thing ever happen be
fcrel"
The man answered evasively.
'It's wild country, lady. Consider
able money goes east now and again, an'
there's a diamond merchant travels tn
road sometimes"
Jerry! Bring that light this way"
As the glare of the torch faded tn
moonlight filled its place. Miss Den
slows fear gone, her curiosity remained
Canon D.ablo is a worlds wonder. i
sides are covered with loose stones an
bowlders which look as if they had bee
brought one by one and tossed int
place.
II will 90 down a little way. W
must stay here for hours-l shall have
other such chance IN all my lifeI"
The girls nostriIs dilated. Her heal
beat eagerly. Here was a new exper
epce, indeed. 1t promised to be sati
living one; and she had fel her hungr
heart with such husks since that day,
year before, when she had parted fror
her lover in a quarrel. Moonlight alwal
brought his memory back to her vii
cruel distinctness. He seemed very ne
TO her at that moment. al wonder if
did really 90 to the Pacific coast. Tht
said so-and-it seems as if must ha'
heard of him there; and yet-is that WI
| hate going homel What Ounce | an
Expecting to hear of anybody in such
great country as California. Ah, this
-msrvelousl 1t is desccratiOn f
mortal to trespass here"
Nevertheless, the desecration was rutl
Iessly continued. The train and its mi
haps were forgotten, while petty person
interests dwarfed and faded out of sigl
before the majesty of that moment
that awful solitude. al wonder il ev
{ before a woman's foot passed over the'
stones. How excited l ami All aloI
n with desolation and-God."
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