The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-06-22
$9~ IN A TUNNEL A9%

A brutal laugh grated upon the
girls ears; then the first speaker
whispered:
al reckon she'll niver know her
boy in this little bag of bones. though
me arms is wore ont wild carryin' him
the last three hours"
Alice could scarcely believe what
her ears had heard. Her bra'h reeed,
and she nearly fell from the rocky
ledge on which she sat ns the truth
dawned upon her. Her brothers child,
her golden-ha little pet, was Just
within her grasp, but two brutal men
kept watch over him. As she began
to realize the danger o. her position,
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 mint
and then, with the pistol grasped
tightly in her hand, she crept stealthily
ont OF her hiding place and struck
narrow path which led to the top of the
BLUM She knew the way, and the
darkness favored her ascent. Reach
ing the summit, she looked cautiously
around. The clouds had parted, and
the faint simmer of moonlight
through the trees enabled her to OBJ
serve her surroundings distinctly. A
few feet beyond were the two men
stretched out on the ground, their
figures partially concealed by the
trunks of two large trees and clump
OF bushes. Between them Alice saw
little baby form with its golden head
piIlowed 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 s'ertorous brcathings of the men
convinced her that fatigue had stepped
their senses and that they 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 shel.
ter of the tunnel, the down express
train would soon pass through, and an
up train would follow but 10 or Is
minutes later. She resolved, never
theless, to take the latter course, and,
with this decision made she prepared
to carry ont her plans. Passing
swiftly round the bushes, she stood
before the sleeping group. The
moon at that instant shone ont bright,
ly and fell lupon the white, pinched 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. Darling 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
flew 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 shrek that
ran through the tunnel, she turned
and faced her pursuer like wounded
animal at bay, raised her pistol and
fired. With yell of rage and pain,
the man leaped into the air and then
fell with heavy thud on the track
beside her. Alice breathed 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 faint light glimmer
in the distance. Nearer aud nearer it
came, and then the horrible truth
flashed upon her. 1t was the head
light OF locomotive, and she knew
that the Z o'clock express train was
laundering down the track.
Faint and bewildered, the horror
stricken girl had lost her reckoning.
She knew not ON which track she was
and stood staring with terror-strained
eyes as the laundering mass came
tearing down the rail- It's great red
eye lit up 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 Niagara deafened her,
and, with shrek of despair, she fell
senseless to the ground.
Mrs Austin fell aslaar, aoon aftas