New-York tribune., 1903-03-08

- ---,- -,orrrs 0orotEv's mother had been H.
s76 one 6av the doctor took Mr. White lhI' alIo
rcc17 and told him that his wife could never " oe
U .es,,, ,-rIese she could go away for the winter
~ g u-armer climate. He suggested FIoIlo0' Al.1 an
Dorothy, who had overheard the "oTos' Siiis M
the room Just in time 20 see the eApIeSSioi- y
despair and sorrow that came ike d N'o
her fathers face.
His grief and the condition Of her mother
health brought great tears 10 Dorothy pTo"L
ewes and she hurried from the room Ohly 'O'
well did she know the impossibility OF 4 Trip 70
Florida, even though Il seemed TO be the onAS
remedy that would bring the roses back TO her
mothers thin. white cheeks. and restore the Dils'
ness that had made her eyes so beautiful
wien Dorothy thought Of her lying so pauenuE
in the little white bedroom a lump came into her
throat and she rushed from the house as quickly
RE she could. All the rest OF the morning she went
about attending the little duties that had oeeh
left for her hands, and all the time her brain was
busy trying 10 think Of some way by Whlch she
could earn the necessary money required 10 Seno
her mother away. But the amount was so great
and her efforts feeble that her heart sank with
rnisFivings- However, she determined TO give her
mother ali the small pleasure il was possible for
her to provide She decided to begin her little ser
vices OF love by preparing as a surprise for her
tea q bowl Of wild blackberries, Of which her
mother was very fond. The berries grew mile
from the house, SO Dorothy took shining tin pail
ard started away. The surrounding country Was
al familiar 10 her and she cut across pastures
slipped under barbed wire fences, climbed over
Picture in her bright red dress she hurried along
Part Of her path lay along the railroad track. and
before she had gone far she beheld a sight which
made her heart stand still from terror. Directly
across the track immense tree had fallen. prob
ably blown down by a heavy wind the night be-
fore II vas q giant oak which would require
strong men and hours Of labor 10 remove. Instant
Iy the thought TO her that in a very few
moments the Mountain Express loaded with many
people returning TO the city from their summer Va
cations would be due.
Only a few yards beyond the tree was ono of the
sharpest curves on the road. and with lightning
rzpidity. Dorothy reasoned that the engineer of
the onconing train could not possibly see the OBJ
strucIion after he had rounded the curve in time
10 stop the train.
With heart beating wildly, she glanced about
her. hoping TO see some human being who could
tell her what to do and help her to save the many
lives that must be lost if she did not act quickly.
There was nobody in sight, and no voice answered
hers when she put her hands to her mouth. trum-
petIike, and shouted Help until the woods rang
With the echo.
Realizing that she must rely upon her wits
for suggestions she thought only q second, and
then ran as fast as possible up the track It was
her intention 20 reach d point around the curve
where there long. straight stretch OF track.
II she could only get there before she heard the
warning whistle and the well known rumble Of
the engine! She could not tell the exact time, but
she knew the train due at any moment The
thought that her warning might be too late added
strength her tired legs. and she hurried on
Her pail had been thrown TO the ground and her
hat had blown away. but she unconscious Of
everything except her purpose TO reach the other
side OF the hill that shut OF the engineers view
Of the danger ahead.
Gaspng for breath. she finally reached the stretch
Of straight road. From there she would be able 10
see distinctly the long black train it neared the
treacheroUs curve Thinking that every step fur
ther away from that dangerous spot meant added
safety, she rushed along always straining her
eyes to ahead.
When she had gone a sufficient distance she
stopped, and kneeing quickly. put her down to
the shining rail-. She had done this many times be-
fore and she knew well the faint vibrating rumble
that meant the train was not far away. In
r,eut she Jumped TO her feet The train was com
I1r. what should she do? How could she stop it2
she NrunE her hands and glanced frantically about
hsr II she only had flag! At that moment the