Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1901-01-04

Instantly agreed the last conner. If
we siliy-shally over the doing OF it
much longer. we shall die like rats in
a hole. as the guard says"
"Then we'd better tear these OBJ
stinate fools off the engine and man it
ourselves!" suggested a frantic pas
senger. I'VE can rush it through
somehow"
mot sol" was the calm answer.
Our emily chance in rushing the dan
ger is the speed. Now, If | and you, all
amateurs. man the engine and bungle
the thing, the chance is we should
roast before We got quite through the
flames.
Nov, ladies and gentlemen
turned cOurteously to the passengers
surging round-'I must ask you to
trust your bodies to me, and your souls
we'll. according 10 your several
creeds,"
With a strangely harsh, empty laugh,
the stranger ascendei the engine,
turning his dark face to say peremp-
toriiy: Take your places aboard the
train instantly. every man, woman and
child.
Now, my friends. III tackle you!"
He faced round to the engine men.
So near was the train to the fire.
that the heat was insufferable-the
faces OF the men were almost skinned.
Warm work, my hearties, this"
the stranger said, almost cheerfully, as
he beat the not air slowly with way
ing hands. and pressed his face closer
to the sco-ched yisages on the engine.
you get off this engine. mister.
furiously began the driver. III brain
any man who tries to boss"
The wrathful words ended in a sud
den sigh. and the drivers arms fell
softly at his sides as the invader of the
engine turned TO the stOker, a power
fully built man.
You heard what my mate said,
didn't yer?" struck in the man. You
git off. or I'Il-Fll-" There was
the same singular collapse, the same
lamb-like attitude. Both grimy men
stood motionless and meek facing the
intruder.
Just So" observed the last equa bly,.
Then. leaning over, his strident voice
changed harshly along the snow she'd:
Every soul aboard? Keep ali win
dOws and doors fast for your lives"
What is it, Gervis? Are we safe
YETI" family whispered GLADLY. The
girl. who had only seemed to shake
off her curious attack of insensibiiity
within the last few minutes, was star
ing vaguely round the car
She wondered idly why most OF tho
women were on their knees, and why
the little children were clasped so
frantlcally to their mothers. Surely
the tiny creatures would be smothered
Ia such embraces
And why was Gervis. her husband,
breathing in that curiously labored
fashion. az if he had been running
hard?
Then she became aware. as he laid
his cheeks against her own, that his
face was wet and cold, clammy per-
SEPARATION.
"Gervisl" she cried, vague alarm
awakening her at last, speak to me-"
Cant you pray. Gladdy?" whispered
Gervis. and the clasp of his arms tight
ened round his wife.
Pray, Geryis? What do you mean? '
wonderingly said GLADLY. And Gervis
drew his brows together.
And yet was it not better that she
should know, poor little GLADLY in her
newly welded happiness?
Outside the cars, now tightly closed,
the men On the engine, who were going
to fight the flames doggedly. We're
grimly and rapidly making ready.
The heat had become intolerable.
and redly glowing sparks were shower
ing down the blazing roof. The peril
was already so deadly that there was
no choice. A dash for dear life must
be made,
Suddenly a great tongue OF flame
darted along the roof with a kissing
sound. The haggard. white faces in
the cars could distinguish every tim
Der I'm the sheds wooden walls in the
new glare. The fire was gaining with
q deadly sureness.
Quick, men. We are taking our
lives in our hands, Here, reach me
that bale OF waterproofing. We must
divide 1t between us to cover as much
Of our persons as We cant"
It was sharp. vibrating voice, with
q note OF command, that hastily or
dered.
Then came the hoarse order fol
which the cowed enginemen were
meekly waiting.
Ready? Then go, Top speed"
The long train, with its large cars
creaked and groaned; the tongues oil
flame darted upward hissingly; the
burning rafters cracked and snapped,
the smoke rolled along il heavy cloud:
that choked all who rode Oh the i'll
fated train.
God in His mercy, help us, We're
off,"
The train was cutting its wa,
through the sheet Of flame that ha(
walled it in.
CHAPTER w.
II was over-this daring venture
and over safely.
Outside in the open, in the clear col,
air of the starless night, the long trair
drew ND under the softly falling fake.
of festhery snow
Half-paralyzed men and faintine
women in the cars knew they wer
cafe. and there was a brief hush, Will,
ohh;no tbankegiving pig broke from lin