The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-08-24

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
as No. Q 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 man standing at the
open window, with his gun, which was
resting upon the window-sill, aimed di
rectly at her.
"It's mothers dream!" she said to
herself; but not muscle moved to show
that she was surprised.
Say. little gal said the man at the
widow, "where is the station agent?"
ale is not here. sir. He went away
some time ago"
Where TOP demanded the man,
grufily.
"He went to Keeley's Bar, with sup
Ethel, and added, in an undertone: But
that was a long time ago"
"When is the lightning express due?'
in thirty minutes" said Ethel, as
she glanced at the clock above her ia
theirs rude desk.
"Well, we want to board her. Car
we do SOP
"No. sir: they do not stop here for
water"
Cant you flag her?'
"No, sir
"Why not?"
eve 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
a 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 mer
besides the spokesman, making five in
all. as her mother had dreamed.
Quick as thought, she turned anC
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 el
of the pump-house and was off with the
speed of deer.
Bang" "Bangr "Bangm rang the
report of firearms in rapid succession
IT,, ,,,a,, had how Aioht b,,,
in their haste had shot wide of the
"Bang!' "Bangr' "Bangr "Bangr
rang out a 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 anG
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 6
girl won't give us any further trouble,
remarked one of the men.
"l cure right" said another, she.
fixed all right enough"
Had the sp eakers stood where they
could have seen what was taking plac,
down in the gulch, they would soor
have discovered their mistake, for nc
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 a,
her tiny watch, a present from her
father, she added:
six miles and only twenty-five min
utes in which to make it. Now, Snow
flake, hyy'
Loosening a rawhide from the pom
mel of the saddle, she dashed the pony
into run. One, two, three, four mile,
are passed. The tender-hearted girl
who under ordinary circumstance.
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 raisec
it She saw that it was covered Will
| blood.
Why" she exclaimed. 81 Unjust have
been hit after all. Yes, my skirt is
soaked with blood, and, come to thinl
>of it, did feel singing pain in my
thigh when the men fired; but what OF
it? We must reach Placer City in time
should it kill us both"
At last the station was in sight
Only a short half mile and she would
be at the end of her journey. But,
alas! The wind bore sound to her
ear that fairly froze the blood in her
veins, long, shrill whistle, the ex
press calling for a clear track Ethe
shut her teeth tightly and piled the
lash with all their strength.
Faster, Snowflake, faster. faster
Oh! Heaven help us" she exclaimed
The pony groaned at every jump. vel
she urged him to go faster Already
! she could see the headlight on the rap
idly approaching engine 1t glowet
in the gathering twilight like the eve
of a fiery demon. Would she be toe
late?
On came the fiery monster. The
race was an unequal one-an iror
| horse, propelled by steam as hot as fire
and water could make, and an lndiar
I