The Holly chieftain., 1901-03-01

my wife, and somehow tho shock
seems to have frozen her. She u un-
able to speak even. Il fear 1t has af-
fected her deeply"
'Oh. Gervis. take me away some
where!" A long, sobbing cry came
from her lips.
GLADLY had come back-she was her
self again: and Gervis almost wished
the frozen stupor had continued.
my poor little grill" He bent down
over her, kneeling on the ground to
draw her little head to his shoulder.
At any cost he must hide the hideous
wall of flame from her frightened eyes.
As he strove to comfort her he did
not see the sneer on the dark. olive
skinned face that looked down upon
the youthful husband and wife.
Il must save her!" Gervis looked up
presently to say. in hoarse whisper,
his new friend. You must help mel"
Gervis struggled to his feet. II tell
you my wife must be saved! 1t was l
who brought her into this plight, and
l am ready to give my life for hers!
Help me. Suppose rush the whole
thing? Do you think could get her
through the flames to the other side
Of them, and to the open beyond?"
Are you mad?" was the Icy re-
joinder. Better reverse the engines
and back the train to the end we came
in at But see. here comes the guard
back again. Well!"
Its anything but WELL I guess"
growled the guard. glancing uneasily
at the women folk. Lowering his
voice, he went on to the male passen-
gers: The plain truth is, we're in a
death trap. God help us ALI" Then
he hesitated.
Man. speak out. What is it,"
1--WE bin way back goodish bit,
and found worse thing behind us al
most than this!" He pointed to the
wall Of fame. Gentlemen, there's bin
terrible snow slide happened on our
heels. 1t has smashed through into
the shed and blocked the line from
floor to roof. Never saw such a big
snow slide in the Rockies, not even in
the springtime O. year.
Twas the warmish spell we had
lately has loosened the snow on the
mountain-side, and now It's come down
all in a heap--tons OF it! Besides
fro1en Cargoes of snow, there's hull
trees torn up by the roots and boulders
all blocking up the shed. We're choked
In behind. and you can see for your
self what's afore US. We're bound to
die like rats in a hole!"
AS the last words were added, break
Ing in an irrepressible cry from the
mans white lips. the huddled groups
of terrified passengers shrieked and
shouted in unison; for, gazing up.
their starting eyes discovered that the
| fire was spreading in the roof toward
them.
I'VE must be very near the outlet
of this snow she'd" quickly calculated
the stranger who had assisted Ger
Wis.
"Why?" hoarsely screamed the pas
sengers. Somehow they turned in
stinctively to this man, as human be-
ings will to any true leader.
In that case, 1t would be worth
while to rush it," said Gervis. He had
raised GLADLY from the ground, and
stood holding her close to him, care
fully hiding her eyes with his left
hand.
We'll, then. let us rush 1t together
in the train, and God in His mercy
help US through" came the suggestion
from q passenger.
And suppose we are burnt up like
chips!" gloomily said another.
And. truly. the long, fierce tongues
of fire were gaining along the roof.
Strong men shuddered, while ali the
women were now covering their eyes,
and some were praying wildly. Here
and there child, with frightened sobs.
hid its little face in its mothers skirts.
1t was, in truth, a terrible death trap.
The helpless human beings, herding
together, were paralyzed. Those Of
them for whom their Father in heaven
was an ever-present reality cried out
from their hearts for His merciful
help; others were mute.
God Is our refuge and strength, a
very present help in trouble; there
fore we shall not fear" The clear
voice of woman that began bravely
ended abruptly in a smothered sob.
The flesh was weaker than the spirit,
and a pair Of dark eyes criticised,
with sneer in their black depths, the
H.