The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-08-22

and ne soon stopped.
The agent took up the tune where
Charles had left it. but he, too, suddenly
paused.
Goodness gracious" he exclaimed.
Il forgot that key. I must go TO the
house for it. You'll keep your eyes on
things. won't you? Twill only be gone
d Tlinute."
The agents house was almost in sight
of the depot, and he started on a run to
get the key.
Charles looked at the depot-at lis
tiny Office. its few seats for passengers
its view of the tracks stretching away
in the distance, with a new feeling of
pride, for were they not left i'll his
charge?
Suddenly this feeling was followed
bya sense of responsibility. Then, with
out being able to account for it, this
gave place to one of dread. As the last
feeling stole over him there came to
his ears the heavy, dull rumble OF IN
approaching train.
Nearer and nearer it came. but there
was nothing in this Of itself to cause
alarm, for he knew No. IS well. 1t al
ways wen through without stopping.
SO he stepped toward the door to see
it pass once again. As he did 50. the
telegraph instrument began clicking
loudly. He paid 10 attention 20 this,
rs he did not understand tele"raphy
and had often heard it make as much
noise when the sound had no import.
Standing OF the platform, he watched
the freight train rumble majcstIcal!y
by. \ brakeman whom he knew waved
his hand TO him, and he waved back in
response. Car after car passed. until at
last cane the cabOose with It's huttcr-
ing flags.
Tine long train had hardly crossed the
last switch, and the click of the rails.
as the trucks of the ears passed over
them. still sounded in his ears. when
l." beard his name called in an agcnized
soicr from lie station. He rushed into
the room. There stood the agent, his
face a CHASTITY white, with one haud
upon the keyboard of the telegraph
as if frozen to it.
Orders to hold No. 1S.-Got back too
late to stop her.-No. ) to pass her here.
No. ) has left v station.-Noth-
ing between the two trains"
The agent fairly gasped the words,
but Charles understood him at once.
No. Is. the through freight. AMI No.
5, the express. between stations on 4
single track road, were rushing to-
gether with nothing TO sop them'
Charles turned as white as the agent,
while a look Of despair crept over his
face. Suddenly his eye rested upon
his wheel, and hope came to him.
He remembered the long curve of the
track and the short cut Of the road,
and how they came together ngair
further on almost al right angles, and
then continued in parallel lines. lie
thought of the slow progress of the
freight. 1t VAS one chance in a hue
drcoi, but perhaps he could head of the
freight train and stop her, particularly
as he had 81 much less distance To 90
and could get great speed on the down
grade.
II" was on his wkee! N n moment.
riding rs he la! never ridden before.
=: first there vas 4 smooth stretch Il
road leading to the steep hill, which
threw the road at right angles 70 the
track. and over this his wheel fairly |
ilgw. With his head hcrrs low over the
handlehars, h" glaHrcd neither 10 the |
right nor left, hut fastened his eyes
upon the road. which seemed Ike some
white. silent river flowing by him with
great rapiGity. 1t took but a moment
two 20 get over this road. AT the
speed he was riding, but it seemed 20 |
him TO be years.
He was now or the down grade. and. |
although he could not see the freight. |
he knew it was near from the presence
of the cloud of thick. black smoke |
which hang above its course.
He Don reached the crest of the hill. |
In a moment, he thought, he could see |
the freight and know whether he could
stop her or not. At length the train
into view. and he saw at cnce he
could not hope to head it off. but that
BY using all his speed he would he atIe
10 reach it before all the cars had passed
the place where the road curved in
by the side of the track.
As he started down the hill he put
Ill his weight on the pedals until the
shot down the grade at a great
pace, gathering speed with each revo-
luton OF the wheels. lie was going so
fast that wien he came to the level
t seemed to him that his speed in
instead of diminished.
Now, lie is approaching the track
with lightning swiftness. The road and
abroad begin to converge. Moments
pass which seem like years. He raises
lis eyes, the train is directly ahead OF
I'm; he will just reach it before it
passes entirely. The engine has already
passed and some of the cars.
Once more he looks down and puts
III his remaining strength upon the
lie raises his eyes again. and
inds he is shooting along the road he-
.ide the freight, which is now going,
It good speed. He cannot hope to keep
his pace long; already the freight is
upon him.
\ brakeman is half asleep on one of
he cars. Charles waves his hand fran
ically and tries to shout. but 70 his sur
Prise his voice makes l;ttle sGufd. and
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