Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-10-22

" "uiSlle.
The darkness grew more intense,
if possible, while tue wind shrieked
by. The rain became more blindlug,
till nothing could be distinguished IN
the gray murk which enveloped us.
Suddenly through the mist and
rain l saw looming right in front Of
US the gigantic figure Of a woman
wrapped in long. black mantle,
which seemed to futter in the wind.
She waved great spectral arms about
IN swift. twisting movements. AS
stood looking in horror, the figure
vanished with a final wave Of the arms
II was too much astonished and
stupefied even to make q movement Of
my hand toward the throttle. AT that
moment Jim had been bending over
the fire. AS he looked up he ex-
claimed:
'Halloa, Frank. What's up?
You look az though you had seen a
ghost
81 did not answer. Ny mind was
too full Of the strange figure ! had
perceived.
"We were now nearing Rock Creek,
where there is bridge over a deep
stream. l felt more nervous than
ever. We dashed around tue curve
and whizzcd by Rock Greek station,
r which is only mile from the bridge.
AS we passed glanced at the steam
gauge for an instant A cry from
Jim caused me TO turn quickly toward
him. He sat rigid, his eyes large and
staring. His jaw dropped, the very
picture Of terror. He pointed with a
shaking finger out iato the darkness.
/ turned and looked, and then l be-
gan myself to shake. There on the
metals was the same hideous figure Of
q woman outlined on the background
Of light from the engine, now notion
less, now whirling in witch dance. but
all the time motioning us back.
! Frank, gasped Jim, but scarcely
above whisper, don't go over the
bridge. Don't go for heavens sake!
Don't go until you are sure it's safe. ,
Il suppose | pretty badly
scared. At any rate, [ put on the
brake for all l was worth. | couldn't t
have resisted the impulse to stop the
train.
Gas we came to a stop / cou Id hear
the roar Of the water in Rock Creek
just ahead. l stepped out of the cab
and met the conductor coming up.
What's the matter? What's the
natter he asked-impatiently.
II felt decidedly foolish. There
was no gigantic woman to be seen
now. Nothing could be made ont
more than few feet away III the
binding storm.
We'll, said |. we've seen some
thing l don't know what 1t is
seemed like it was great black ghosI
, that was waving its arms, and warning
us not to go forward.
The conductor looked at ne curi
t ously. Are You crazy, Frank, h,
; said. Il should think YOU were. Bu
we're so near the bridge we'll take
) look at it.
, I'VE took our lanterns aud went
ahead. leaving Jim with the engine
= be looked frightened to death. But
! tell You, We hadn't gone five rods be-
t fora We stopped IN horror.
"There at our feet lny a blac1
: chasm, filled with the roar of tn
4 river, as swollen with the spring rains
II dashed down toward the lake. Th
k bridge was WA Led away.
n "Only n few splinters OF wood an
:. twisted -iron .ciung To the abutnent
II while now far ont over the black ne s.
that awful black figure Of womu
g danced again on the thin air, reilcy e
d against the shaft Of hight that til
V headlight threw.
J. 1T was filnglnc lis arms about q
. If In wild glee The conductor stare
i at the chasm and then az me-
], Was that the thing Won saw vhe
=. you stopped the traIn?' lie asked.
; "'les.
"'Well. It's something more tha
IT luck that savei Us tonight, Frank.
d. I'VE went back slowly TO the ,rai,
q, feeling very queer and thankful to-
s. ! can assure you. Several passenger
=. had come running forward bv th
time. Among them was Young fe
ve low from Chicago. shout IS years OF.
a who was smarter than the whole OF n
10 as it turned out
Il, when he was told 0. the wons
al IN black he turned and .ooasl AZ Il