The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-04-08

thought he would let it over anyway and
take chances. The signal was thrown
and the train moved ahead. There were
only four ears and three Of these had
passed, when the express, which had been
screened by the woods, flashed suddenly
into view just beyond the curve, coming
at full speed. Danton heard the sharp,
shrill blast of the whistle and In Just ten
seconds saw the train dash by at sixty
miles an hour, almost scraping the rear
platform Of the special.
THANK God!" said Bob" who had
stood transfixed with horror.
CLOSE shave, that" DantOn remarked
with smile. III our friend, tho reporter,
had been here he would have come pretty
near getting chapter for his story.
Whew"
He laughed gleefully over the incident.
he seemed reckless, demoralized, and
Bob was prompted to give him little
warning.
1T may cost you your Job, Al, !" he said
as he left the tower
''Oh, we'll, it will never happen again, 5"
was the reply. 81 just looked up the road
minute or two too late. Who could have
guessed that the express had passed the
openings l reckon il made those fellows
on the special hold their breath Suppose
they had been a few seconds later That
two and I'd have visions OF a iailn
After his watch he went home and
went TO bed, but sleep never closed his
eyes. His mind was full OF collisions
He could think OF nothing else. He had
eaten no breakfast, and at the lunch hour
he told his mother that he had no appe-
tite. In the afternoon he strolled through
the woods, and every time train passed
would say half aloud, I'D like to see her
hit something"
AT O'Clock, when he again entered the
tower TO go on duty, there was wild
look in his eyes.
Don't leave me here clone, Bob" he
said. "I'm not feeling like myself and
may need you. Seems to me I'm going
crazy or something. Haven't closed my
eyes in twenty-eight hours nor tasted
food
Bob" urged him to 60 home and leave
the watch TO him, but he insisted on re-
naming at his post At O'Clock he an
nounced that both of the limited trains
were on time. They were due at $500
Margaret, having missed her afternoon
walk with Bob came over to see what
had become of him. There was COM
plete understanding between the two.
She brought some trihe for her brother to
eat, but he declined to break his fast At
5:27 the northbound limited passed the
opening,
watch the clock and time her Marcy"
Danton said. "She ought to be here in
exactly three minutes"
AS he turned TO look down the track he
placed his hand on the lever that oper-
ated the switch connecting the north
bound with the soutbound track. Bob"
noticed the movement and horrible sus-
picion entered his mind.
"Margyl" he called.
oil ri AZ hA Aofv I'D
to Danton, whose gaze was riveted on
the curve 200 yards away. Then he
moved close behind him and took hold of
the hand on the lever. The rumbling of
the two approaching trains was becoming
louder and louder
al" said Bob gently trying to with
draw his friends hand.
"Look out There she comesl" Danton
screamed wildly as the train dashed into
view. Then, turning, he saw the south
bound tearing on. Yes, they would meet
right at the tower.
Look, Margy!" he cried. 'Look,
BobW
Then, with a mad shout and a weird,
demoniacal laugh, he brached his left foot
against the wall, and leaning far back,
pulled the lever
The train was within a 100 yards of
the switch. Tho engineer saw the red
switch open, saw the other train bearing
down upon him-saw death staring him
in the face! He applied the brakes, but
might as well have tried to stop the rota-
tion of the earth In that short space.
Bob sprang upon Danton as a tiger
springs upon its prey, but the man was q
raving maniac, endowed with the strength
Of dozen giants. A terrific struggle,
short, sharp and bloody, followed.
. H. Ia..l l. Law
Margaret, obedient to her lovers COM
mand, stood ready. Bob had picked up an
iron bar, and with one blow had knocked
Danton's hand off the lever. Then he
raised the weapon and brought ii down
on the madman's head with stunning
effect. Danton reeled aud feel, with his
head between the lever and the wall.
Margaret was unable to throw the lever.
Her strength was not sufficient. To throw
it clear over would crush Danton's head.
Bob sprang to her assistance, threw his
whole weight upon the long arm and,
with teeth clinched and eyes tightly
closed, lay there till the trains had passed
on and disappeared. Margaret threw her
arms around his neck.
"Bob. Bob" she cried, "it's all right.
You saved them, you saved them Oh,
Bob"
Rousing up, he pulled back the lever
duu illbeu DdHJOu W JUG ulluul6 VI tnc
floor, then, pushing the arm back TO It's
proper place, fell in a heap beside his
poor friends body.
"Al, Al, ;" he cried, but there was no re-
Spouse. The iron bar had left it's mark
on Danton's forehead and the lever had
crushed its way into the side of the head,
leaving fearful CHASTITY wounds
ooh, God, Margyl I've killed him
Poor All"
mo, Bob, he breathes, he lives ~
moaned the girl. 1--WE must get him
home. I'll go for help. There comes an
other train, Bob"
Bravely bearing up she brought the
doctor and some friends, and Danton was
taken home. For days he lowered be-
tween life and death, then rallied, and at
the end of two months was practically
well. But his mind was gone. He was
pronounced hopelessly insane and friends
prevailed on his heartbroken mother to
send him to private asylum.
The authorities made an investigation
of the affair In the tower and the directors
OF the company publicly thanked Bob for
tho mart he nlaVpd in the traOedv A