The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-08-26

homcward to assure his invalid wife he
was all right.
"I guess had better tie Snowflake
behind the pumphouse," said little
Ethel, as her father disappeared from
view, "because the SCOT from the en-
gines makes hirA all speckled."
That done, she went TO examine the
switch, to see that it was thrown right
for No. Al, the through freight, which
was already due.
She had but just returned when the
whistle sounded for the station, and .
moment later the huge monster came
in sight. Ethel waved the white flag,
to signal all right, the engineer an
swerod with two short, sharp whistles,
and an instant later called for brakes,
in order to stop at the station for water.
why, there arc two sections on run
Al, tonight" Ethel exclaimed, as she
saw the two red flags on the engine.
Then the train drew up at the sta
ton, the engine was cut loose and
switched over to the tank for water,
after which the train proceeded on its
way to Placer City, six miles distant,
to sidetrack for No. 0, the fast limited
express.
After the second section had gone
through the same operation as the first,
Ethel entered the pumphouse, to make
sure that the fire under the boiler was
properly banked for the night.
She desired to start for home as soon
Us No passed, so as not to alarm her
parents by any unnecessary delay.
She had been inside but a moment or
two, when her attention was attracted
by slight noise at the window.
Imagine her surprise, upon turning
around, to see a man standing at the
open window, with his gun, which was
resting upon the window-sill, aimed di-
rectly at her.
Its mothers dream" she said to
herself; but not muscle moved to show
that she was surprised.
"Say, little gall" said the man at the
widow, where is the station agent?"
"He is not here, sir. He went away
some time ago."
Where tor" demanded the man,
gruffly.
He went to Keeley's Bar, with sup
plies for the coTpany's men," replied
Ethel, and added, in an undertone: "Put
that was long time ago."
"When is the lightning express due?"
I'm thirty minutes" said Ethel, as
she glanced at the clock above her ia
ther's rude desk.
"Well, we want to board her. Can
we do SOP"
"No, sir: they do not stop here for
water" -
Cant you flag her?"
"No, sir"
"Why not?"
"We have orders not to flag No. un-
less there is danger ahead"
"Then there will be danger ahead"
said the ruffian, as he turned his back
to Ethel, and, addressing the men, said:
Get to work lively, men, and take up
couple of rails; the express is going
to stop here tonight, and don't you for
get it'
Ethel glanced through the window,
and, sure enough, there were four men
besides the spokesman, making five in
all, as her mother had dreamed.
Quick as thought, she turned and
sprang through the open door; there
was clatter of horses feet upon the
hard ground and an instant later the
white pony dashed around the corn er
of the pump-house and was off with the
speed of deer.
"Bang!' "Bang!" "Bang!" rang the
report of firearms in rapid succession.
The men had discovered her fight, but
in their haste had shot wide Of the
mark.
Bang" "Bang!" "Bang!" "Bangv'
rang out second volley from the re-
peating rifles. The bride rein dropped,
as Ethel threw up her hands and fell
forward on the pony's neck, limp and
apparently lifeless. The frightened
animal, seeing he was free to go where
he chose. dashed headlong down the
bank into the gulch below and disap-
peared from view.
81 guess that red-headed imp of a
girl won't give us any further trouble, u
remarked one of the men.
You're right" said anothe er, ''she's
fixed all ri ght enough"
Had the speakers stood where they
could have seen what was taking place
down in the gulch, they would soon
have discovered their mistake, for nc
sooner had the pony reached the bot
tom than Ethel arose direct in the sad
die, gathered up the reins and re
marked:
"A pretty good trick for red-headed
girl to play. When they thought me
dead they ceased firing; otherwise
might have been killed" Looking al
her tiny watch, a present from her
father, she added:
six miles and only twenty-five min
1tes in which to make it. Now, Snow
flake, fiy!'
Loosening rawhidc from the pom
mel of the saddle, she lashed the pony
into run. One. two, three, four mile.
are passed. The tcnder-hearted girl
who under ordinary circumstances
would not think of beating her pony
used the lash without mercy, urging
him to his utmost speed.
Finally exhausted. her hand dropped
To her side. and when she again raise,
it she saw that it was covered will
blood.
''Whyw she exclaimed. 81 must hav,
been hit after all. Yes, my skirt il
soaked with blood, and, come to thinl
of it, did feel a singing pain in IN,
thigh when the men fired; but what o
it? We must reach Placer City in time
should it kill us both!''
At last the station was in sight
Only short half mile and she woul,