Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1898-06-10
4@< IN A TUNNEL. .4@<

her mind became clearer, and she re-
solved, at all hazards, to rescue him.
She heard the men step back some
distance from the bushes, and then all
was still. She waited few mihutes,
and then, with the pistol grasped
tightly in her haud, she crept stealtliily
out Of her hiding place and struck a
narrow path which led to the top Of the
bluff. She knew the way, aud the
darkness favored her ascent. Reach
ing the summit, she looked cautiously
around. The clouds had parted, and
the faints simmer of moonlight
through the trees enabled her to OBJ
serve her surroundings distinctly. A
few feet beyond were the two men
stretched ont on the ground, their
figures partially concealed by the
trunks of two large trees and a clump
Of bushes. Between them Alice saw
a little baby form with its golden head
pi'lowed on the cold, damp grass.
Creeping along behind the bushes
she reached one Of the trees, and,
standing behind it, she waited for
some minutes, hesitating what to do.
The ssertorous breathin, o the men
convinced herthat fatig h ii stepped
their senses and that tney would not
readily awaken. If she should be
successful in seizing the child, she
could not return by the way she came
With Eddie in her arms she never
could scale the precipitous side of the
cut, followed, as she probably would
be. by two relentless pursuers.
Again, if she should seek the shell
ter of the tunnel, the down express
train would soon pass through, and an
up train would follow but 10 or 15
minutes later. She resolved, never
theless, to take the latter course, aud,
with this decision made she prepared
to carry ont her plans. Passing
swiftly round the bushes, she stood
before the sleeping group. The
moou at that instant shone out bright
ly and fell upon the white, pipched face
of the child. Not moment was to be
lost. Grasping the pistol more firmly,
she glided between the men, and seiz-
ing Eddie, she sprang past them, but
in so doing struck the foot of one Of
the ruffians. Darting up, he saw the
slight figure running swiftly down the
path. He sprang forward, awakening
his companion, and, with muttered
curses, they followed in hot pursuit
With the child clasped closely to her
heart, Alice sped down the rocky
pathway. She heard the men close
behind her; stones were hurled at her,
and one struck her shoulder. Terror
lent wings to her feet, and she soon
reached the track, along which she
fiew and entered the tunnel. On on
she sped; but her breath came quick
and short, for her strength was fail
ing. She heard the heavy paintings of
one close behind her. She almost
felt his hot breath. Hugging the lit
tie form more tightly to her breast
and with despairing prayer for help,
she ran on. A rude hand clutched
her shoulder, and, with a shrek that
ran through the tunnel, she turned
and faced her pursuer like wounded
animal at bay, raised her pistol and
fred. With yell of rage and pain,
the man leaped into the air and then
fell with heavy thud on the track
beside her. Alice brea,4,d more free
ly and ran on, though with feebler
steps, through the darkness. Sudden
ly low. rumbling sound smote upon
her ear, and toward the opening of the
tunnel she saw a faint light glimmer
in the distance. Nearer aud nearer 1t
came, aud then the horrible truth
flashed upon her. 1t was the head
light of Il locomotive, and she knew
that the o'clock express train was
laundering down the track.
Faint aud bewildered, the horror
stricken girl had lost her reckoning.
She knew not on which track she was
and stood staring with terror-straihed
eyes as the laundering mass came
tearing down the rail. Its great red
eye lit mp the black walls of the tunnel
with fearful glare. Still the girl
moved not; fright had chained her to
the spot. The monster was close
upon her; she heard its horrible breath.
ings. Was she on the right track
The roar Of a Niagara deafened her,
aud, with shrek of despair, she fell
senseless to the ground.
"a