The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-02-11
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stove was decidedly comfortable.
When, however, the little stove, like
short, stout man of chOleric disposition,
began to grow red with heat. the lady felt
the air of the room too oppressive. So,
placing a folded shawl as a pillow beneath
the head of her little girl who had fallen
asleep on one of the seats, she opened the
door and went out.
The night was light and clear. Just
above the purple rim Of the hills hung the
moon, it's silver crescent reflected in the
waters of the creek. The brown boughs of
the mi Piles and the red aud yellow wands
Of the willows were beginning to he wrap
ped in a fringe of tender green foliage,
while at the rear of the depot, which had
also been the home OF the former agent,
stood two apple trees--one, rosy with pink
blossoms, the other, like bride, all decked
in white.
In the stiffness the waters of the creek
sounded louder than ever, and further
down, where stretch OF meadow land
tordered the hank, a whole orchestra OF
frogs was dolefully eroaking, while from
out the shadows of the woods came the
melancholy call of some night-bird.
Wrapping her shawl about her, the lady
hurried along, as if by her rapid motion to
wear away the dreary, nervous suspense.
Inside the station, dmly lighted by a
smoky lamp, sat Hugh Rushton, his head
on his hand as he peered carelessly out at
the slight, swift-moving figure.
"Gad How worried she is over file ~
he muttered, contemptuously. "What has
she ever known of anxiety in her daintily
cared for life? A little stupid mistake,
resulting in the slight annoyance of few
hours delay, quite upsets her She mak's
as much fuss over it as il the whole worlds
happiness were at stake. What does she
know OF misery or wretchedness, or temp
tation? Young, pretty, beloved rich,
too, for when she spoke of hiring a carriage
to Brunswick, she took out her purse, and
| saw that it was filled with bills-ay,
more than one fifty among them She
will ~
Rushton suddenly paused.
At that stant a thought came into his
infamed brain wicked, ugly, murderous
thought.
He started from his chair 1t fell over
with crash Rushton turned toward the
door, and stood with his hand on the knob
irresolutely. Should he do this
The lady was alone. No one had observed
her alight from the cars. Her ticket had
been marked Brunswick. Who, then,
would look for her at another place? She
had money with her.
He, Hugh Rushton, was in dire distress
Ruin stared him in the face. To avert it,
money must be had-money at any price.
Even at the ruin of his own soul? Ay.
How easy Satan makes it for his victims
to commit crime How quickly he gener-
ates ideas and natures plans
The sweat stood in beaded drops upon
the man s forehead. The hand turning the
door-knob trembled as with ague.
He opened the door and went out, walk
ing rapidly down the beaten path leading
to the track. There, few rods from him,
stood the lady.
She was on the bridge, leaning over the
low railing, and peering into the foam
flecked water below.
One little push-the whirling waters and
sharp, jagged rocks would do the rest.
That was Hugh Rushton's thought.
With livid face, red, inflamed eyes, and
lips parted, revealing the clenched teeth,
Rushton crept softly behind her.
Oh, how he hoped she wouldn't turn
One look from her fair face and gentle eyes
would surely unnerve him.
Nearer and nearer he crept, now and
then, in his trepidaton, hitting the iron
rails with metallic olang ; but the bah.
bling waters drowned his footsteps.
Just as his trembling hand was raised to
do the dastardly act, two sounds interrupt.
ed him.
"Mamma, mamma ~
"Oo-oo-oo |" the whistle Of an ap-
preaching train.
Both Rushton and the lady turned.
There, on the track at the end Of the
bridge, stood the little child, who had
probably awakened and come out to search
for her parent. She stood there smiling,
her little arms outstretched.
But oh, heaven behind her, just turn
ing thu curve, was the round lurid light Of
an approaching engine
A half-minute more, and the childish
head, with it's wealth Of golden looks, the
fair and delicate body, arrayed in its dainty
n