Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-06-30

A HEROIC GIRL.

"Well, Sue" said Mrs. Craig, did
you get any mail ~
Eyes, ma, letter from Aunt Maria
and was just dying to learn what she
says. Aunt Maria always has some plan
on hand for me"
Mrs. Craig tore open the miSsive
,'She only wants you to be ready to 90
to Niagara Falls with her when che ar
rives here on her way to New York -
that's all" And Mrs. Craig folded the
letter and tried to appear unconcerned.
ITO Niagara Falls. Its the grand
est thing that ever happened"
"Of course you'll let me go p said
Sue, releasing her hold and staring at
her mother as if there might be, after
all. accessibility of a disappointment.
Eyes, Sue" said Mrs. Craig, patting
her daughter fondly on the back you
shall 60. but just on ono condition, and
that is that you will never brighten US
again as you did yesterday by going
through the railroad tunnel or Gro ssing
the trestIe at the end Of it by Yourself. !"
"Pll promise. And III keep my
PROMISE too, mother. That won't be
hard"
VERY well. You know the danger.
If you should be caught in there when
a train is coming, don't know what
would become Of you, Father and
are going over to Mrs Ilouston's to stay
all afternoon, and we want you to do the
tagging if any may be required There
are only two expresses before 7 o'clock,
and we will be home by that time"
Mr.. and Mrs. Craig went on their
visit and Sue was left by herself 10
charge of the tunnel watchhousc. She
could see right straight through the long
black hole, and catch a glimpse of the
distant mountain peaks beyond aud she
sat in the little door and gazed in that
direction full hour after her parents
had gone for thither lay Niagara Falls
200 miles away. SO intent were her
thoughts on the promised journey that
she forgot everything else and failed to
take note Of anything around her
Once, for the moment she was dimly
conscious of strange sound, az of
distant crashing timber. but she gave no
immediate heed, if indeed she heard it at
all. But after few seconds more she
seemed to wake up and become conscious
that something had happened.
She sprang quickly from her chair
and ran across the track. Beyond the
farther mouth Of the tunnel, which was
cut through small hill, the railroad
branobed into two lines, the one turning
south into u valley, and the other imme.
diately crossing long trestle, visible
from the watchhouse and then skirting
the opposite mountain side towards tho
east. The junction was known a. the
Fox Tunnel Y the southern line was
called the Valley Fork. aud the eastern
the Tresto Fork
For full minute after she had cross.
ed the track she did not utter another
sound.
She stood M one transfxed Then
all at once she sprang forward aud look
ed again. "Ycs, the trestle has slipped"
she gasped, turning white as sheet,
"and the trains are both dno here in the
next ten minutes southern express
first aud then tho eastern and both are
coming this way through the tunnel"
Her knees trembled and she shook
ike leaf
II know The southern express
comes first III stop it AZ it gets
through 10 this side Of the tunnel, and
il can run back then and warn tho east
ern express Of the danger But, sup
pose the first train should be late. They
are never more than five minutes apart y
She wrung her hands again and
again, striving in vain to solve tho
problem. She returned 10 the watch
house and looked at the clock
"There's no more time 10 waste
There is but one way--I must try TO
get through the tunnel before the FIRST
train comes. II IL overtakss inc while
I am in there --but can get into one
Of the manboles Something must DO
done r.
She heard faint whistle far away
down the Valley Fork, which strength
ened her resolution TO act She rushed
into the house, got out tho danger flag
and the next moment had disappeared
into the mouth Of tho dark, damp hole.
The sudden cbillinoss seemed to cool her
heated brain. and she grew more com
posed and stronger. She few along over
the ties AZ fast as her nimble feet would
cary her but her swfiest movem ent ap.