Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1906-01-18

in August. There had been 4 dance out
at Arycrne lake, and Dorothy had left
cariy to meet her father \ celebration
was being held some thirty miles up
the road. and her father was among
the invited guests They were coming
home ON Il special train, the governor
and his staff and half hundred 9th.
ers. The train was due at VaudOn at
about the same time as the special,
and Dorothy had left the party early in
order to be home to meet her father.
Once or twice Rem had let out the car
on level stretches to see her eyes fash
with excitement and had crept along
the harder parts to keep his schedule
even.
They were taking it easy along the
stretch by the creek when, as they ap
proachcd the railroad, they spied
headlight M the track.
There was plenty Of time. and rather
than take chances Ren stopped on the
near SIDE Of the crossing and rested on
the seat moment as the light drew
nearer
A5 it flashed past there was a cry
from Dorothy In the moonlight she
saw that there was no one in the cab.
Did You sce?" she demanded excit-
edly as she grasped Ren's arm.
"Runaway." he assented.
The train" she gasped. Ren's face
grew hard.
The, was \ construction camp up
the rJil. ans lie recognized this as the
engine of the work train. There had
been threats made against the governor
by some of the foreign laborers, and
they hal probably sent the engine
adrift in the hope of obstructing the
track ana wrecking the train.
If the fires burned down it would
come t. a halt ON the track. and II the
engineer Of the special did not see 1t
there would be wreck If the fires
Kept up steam, there might be an even
more dangerous collision while the en-
CINE was in motion.
Rcn turned to the conductor. There
were but the three on the car. Don't
lose the wirew he shouted as he turned
toward the front. He bent over Dor
othy. Hold tight" he cried. Here Is
your fast rum" And he turned on the
current.
For a moment there was whir as
tie motor gained speed, and then they
were OH. Ren knew that he must
reach the station before the special left
or there would be no hope. In another
moment they We're running at top
speed, and the car swayed and ratified
IS though it would leave the track.
But Ren knew every dangerous spot,
and tie caI sped along, slowing down
Mt the curves just enough to hold to the
rails The gong rang almost constant
ly ut the crossings. but there was little
traffic. and they had clear road
through. once or twice a teamster
pulled up suddenly and swore as the
rush frightened his horses.
Dorothy's eyes blazed with excite
mcnt as she clung TO the Seat. She
guessed why the run was being made,
and even her fear for her father did
! not spoil her enjoyment of the speed.
she hsd confidence in Ren.
At last they were in the village and
were speeding up the street He slowed
MP rs much aS he dared, but he could
hear the painting of the engine and
knew that the special was already In
the station There would not be a
long stop. and he gritted his teeth as
lie threw on fun power again. for in
tie distance he heard the rattle of the
wildcat
One gauce showed him that the en-
+ &inc Of tie special was below the only
siding tbs side of the station. There
WAS 40 time t. back and throw open q
, switch. III" engine would be upon the
4 train bcfor" anything could be done
He satisfied himself of this and made
/ UP hi; mind quickly. He shut off the
{ power and ground down the brakes
/ spr.ng - Dorothy and, catching her VI
/ in his arms. jumped from the car and
/ St g"crcd away from the track.
Another instant and a crash told that
tie wildcat had run into the car. He
/ set the girl down and turned to see
! The engine had been thrown complete
ly off the track, and the special was
safe
/ In dazc he received the congratula
nS ShoWcrcd uDOn him until he heard