The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-04-27

orders 10 tne nfeman.
Jack Halliday was there! he had been
strolling in and out of the room for
the past half hour, smoking a cigar,
and swearing at the bad weather.
The train did not leave until near mid
night, so he had plenty of time to find
fault.
We all went to the door and took n
look at the weather, and unanimously
voted it bad, and then walked up and
down the platform and smoked our
after-supper cigars, and when we were
through 1t was time for the train
hands to be getting into their places.
Both the clocks in the engine-room and
Kirke's watch indicated seven-forty.
Kirke was putting his watch in his
| pocket as he said:
"Garth, are you going with me on
the Flyaway"
"No, thank ye." said l; 81 get enough
of that sort Of thing in every day
| life. l am to do little swell busi-
ness tonight, and take passage in
Goodnight to you, and hold her we'll
in going round Rocky Bottom Curve.
The roads n little shaky."
| "Yes, sir!' responded Kirke, and he
swung himself into position on the Fly
away.
| The bell rang; I scrambled into my
compartment on the Pullman, and felt
horribly out OF place among the silks
and broadcloths and smell of musk;
but was in for first-class ride, and
made the best of it so effectually that
five minutes after Gibson, who now
fancies he owns all creation because
he has a silver badge on his breast
with Conductor" on it, had shouted,
"All aboardv / was sound asleep.
What occurred in other quarters to
affect the fateof Kirke's train learned
afterwards.
Old Whately, the superintendent of
the road, as l guess l have already
said, had country residence in Leeds,
on mountain spur, which commanded
view Of the surrounding country for
more than score of miles. The line
OF the railway could be distinctly seen
in each direction for fifteen miles, and
Whately was wont TO say that his
lookout was more to the safety of
trains, than all the telegraph wires ON
the road.
Wh0tely was a rich old buffer, kind
enough in his way, but sharp as fer
ret in looking after the road hands,
and determined that every man should
do his duty.
He had but one child, q daughter;
and Floss Whately was the belle of
the county. She was brave, beautiful
and spirited, and more than once when
her father had been away had she as
sumed the responsibility OF directing
the trains, and she had always ac.
quilted her self with credit.
Old Whately was very proud OF her
as he had n right to be, and kept al!
the young fellows at distance, until
1t was said that he intended keeping
, his daughter single till the Car OF al
the Russlas came on to marry her.
, This night in November old Whate-
ly and Floss were out on the piazza
| Of their country home, peeping through
the gloom and fog for the signal lights
e OF the Golosha train, which was near
ly due.
, "It's strange 1t doesn't come IN
i sight" said Whately, laying down his
nightslass in disgust. 1T is hard or
, TO 10 now. They ought to show theil
e light round Spruce Pond by this time.
: "You telegraphed them, father? Yor
: let them know the pay train was OF
( the road" asked Floss.
e "To be sure. And good heavens
: There is the headlight on the pay trair
now! See! Not ten miles away, anC
;, running like the deuce, as it always
d doesw
He pointed with trembling fnge,
: down to the valley forge, where, fal
g away, a mere speck in the gloom
/ could be seen bright light, scarcel!
e moving, but those anxious watcher
knew that 1t was approaching u
n lightning speed.
j. Father and daughter looked Mt eacl
n other. The truth was evident. Fo
l. some reason the train from Golosh,
e was ten minutes behind time, and
It could mot reach the siding at Deerlng'
e Cut until the pay train had passed be
It yond the signal track. And then
Why, there would be another ''hor
It ror" for the morning newspapers unde
a. the head of appalling Disaster" an
t. few more homes would be made t
mourn.
lie Father and daughter looked at eac
l. other in Qismay
n "Selim can do It," said Floss quick
s. ly.
mo, girl. 1t is too far, and to
1t risky" replied the old superintendent.
le Eyes, father; and If l can reac
Leeds in five minutes before the trai
a. Yes, two minutes-all will be wei
y, Do not stop me, fatherw as he laid hi
r hand on her arm.
lie But you must not go! 1t is dark an
r. dangerous! No, Flossp
u shall 60. fatherI selim know