The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1893-04-22

buried in their palms, while bis eyes
glared with tbs lurid light of madness.
He was brought little to himself by
being forced to step aside to allow the
stoker to get off his engine-in order
to follow the driver into>the refresh
ment bar for drink. This called
Bastable's attention to the circum-
stance that the engine was momentar-
lily deserted.
by Gcorgel--that'll do it!' he al
most shouted, and without looking
round he jumped on the engine, opened
the regulator to the full, and as she
bounded forward leaped off at the 9th
er side.
Arthur Munroe had quilted the car.
riage to look after the luggage, and the
only soul in the runaway train was
poor Milly. Munroe had rot quilted
the train minute when loud shouts OF
alarm arrested him.
"What is it? What's the matter?" he
asked, facing round. with horrible
suspicion that Bastable had attacked
Milly.
'T London express has run awayw
cried porter.
s'Good heavensl She'll be into the
Bingham train at Liffordr' cried an
other.
And Milly was alone in the train!
Yet did not Munro lose his presence OF
mind. Flying to the end of the plat
form, he jumped upon the engine of
the local, and without word to driver
or stoker seized the regulator. Before
ne could open it the driver stopped
him.
Hold on. sir-hold on! Bill, unlock
the train"
In minute Bill had leaped down, un-
booked the engine from the train, and
was back again on the engine plate
just as she began to glide out of the
station.
But they lost nearly as much time
by the stoppage as they gained by
the Tightening of the load, for the runa-
way had got almost miles start by
the delay
SLOW far to Lifford?" shouted Mum
70, frenziedly.
| ''Six miles,"
Wrenching the shovel from the
stoker he proceeded to feed the fur
mace with all an experts skill; but
though the engine was going now at a
rate which made it rock and pitch
violently, they had not sighted the
runaway yet. Suddenly she slowed
down, and Munro looking up saw the
steam shut off.
| "Wha..? Why?" he shouted.
"Lifford distance. replied the driver,
pointing to the signal. "All up by
this! We should only pile up the smash
now"
Then Munro lost all heart and hope,
and sank in heap on the engine plate,
hiding his face in his hands. Mean
while the driver had nearly got her
under control as he came in sight OF
the station.
All clear A wire from Worston had
got the Bingham train into siding only
Just in time. As they glidcd past the
platform the station master shouted
''They have wired to Bentham Box tc
switch her into stop-b blocks at that sid
ing" That was, of course, to wreck the
traiu against the block.
Munro heard, and starting up like q
mailman he wrenchcd open the regr
lator to the full, shouting only: my
wife my wifer'--all he could articu
late for the moment. Presently, wher
they had got again into swing he cried
my wife is in the carriage next to the
engineer
There's Bentham bauk!" shouted
back the driver, encouragingly.
Bentham bank is steep gradien
where the seven-foot driving-whccIi
of the express would need driver
skillful coaxing and sanding to keel
them from slipping at every rcvolu
ton.
by Heavens! we'll do it If she keep
the rails!" shouted the driver, as the,
shot through Thornley, tunnel like
, bullet through its riflcd barrel.
All three men were now on the look
out In less than minute they woul,
, sight Bentham bank, and if the runa
. way had topped it she would be match
wood in second. The incline at tn
, other side was nearly as steep as tn
ascent at this, and to go down it under
full head of steam meant pace O
: ninety miles an hour into the sidin
i and against the stop-blocks at the boi
tom.
/ II told your shouted the driver, Ell
, citedly, as they sighted the runawa
half up the bank before them. Blu
Munro did not hear him. lie was a.
. ready at the smoke-box of the rocking
/ reeling engine. having run along it
boiler, holding by the rail.
STEADY. sir, steady! Hold on hare
, We're into herr And, indeed, the
: struck the runaway with the smar
! shock of mild collision. The drive
, hurried after Munro and gave him
steadying hand across the touchin
buffers of the engine and train; an
/ then, as Munro put the brake hard o
in the guards van. the driver stoope
) and managed with wonderful coolnes
) and hardness to hook on the engine I
the runaway.
Reverse her. Bill" he shouted I
the stolxcr. Meanwhile Munro, wall
ing along the footboards and holdin
by the hand rails. reached the carriag
!. in which his bride was
ssOhl Arthur" she cried. when sh
D saw him, II got such q fright
thought you were left behindT'