The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1907-10-24

STEADY. Steady, Steady. Therei"
family grew 10 depend upon her. for
the very faintost whistle could not
escape her sharp ears; she seemed
unconsclously 10 be always on the
alert
Margaret was a queer child, used
from babyhood u roaming the coun-
try by herself She knew every foot
OF the ground and Il was as natural
for her 10 ride a horse as Il was 20
walk and talk. Her own horse. Daisy.
happened to be born on her birthday.
a circumstance which delighted Mar.
saret The Conleys made great holi.
Jays of birthdays. and papa not only
allowed her TO have the naming OF the
pretty colt. but presented her as a
birthday present 10 his little daughter.
How Margaret learned to ride she
never knew. Once on Daisy's back
everything seemed easy. and many a
cauter they had in the summer days
down the long stretch OF road that
led 10 town.
Margaret was never allowed 10 20
10 town by herself, though she was
II years old. and Daisy could have
carried her quite safely: but she
would often ride for a mile or more
down the road Just TO pretend" She
usually golloped as far as the Tag sta
ton and turned Daisy loose for a lii.
tie browse in a certain green pasture
nearby while she went inside Here
she looked az the clock hanging just
above the door though she had TO
get on a bench 10 see Il az all. Then
she consulted the schedule nailed
upon the wall. and then she waited
for the passing OF two or three trains.
nodding and waving to the conductors
and engineers. 10 whom the child's
figure was a familiar landmark. Then
she would call Daisy. and would trot
back home by the same road. ali pre-.
tending that they had been 10 town.
On a certain afternoon there was
company expected by the late tram
for tea. and Margaret and Daisy went
ahead OF the carriage TO welcome the
guests II was just sunset when they
reached the flag station and Margaret
could see the engine OF the train from
town poking its nose over the brow
OF distant hill At the top Il would
commence the down grade with
double speed. sldetracking about half
a mile from the flag station 70 let
the home-bound express pass by.
As the train from town came nearer
Margaret cantered forward 70 meet II.
but TO her amazement II did not side
track as usual. coming instead
straight toward the station. The
child's heart stood still: In 1--WE min.
utes' time the express would come
laundering by. and IL never stopped at
the flag station unless signaled. IL
would dash past into the train bearing
their friends from town. and Mar
garet shut her eyes as the dreadful
vision came before her. but she was
quick TO think She raced with Daisy
back to the flag station and snatched
she signal. BIT Of scarlet flannel.
from its nail on the wall. II was too
late 20 warn the incoming train. which
would not have time to back down TO
the switch and sidetrack before the
express came upon them from the
other direction. But she ana Daisy
would be able 10 signal the rushing
express and check It's speed Ia time.
They took the railroad track. the
little girl reasonably thinking that the
sight Of such an unusual obstacle
would bring the engine quickly to a
halt. Margaret had no thought OF her
own danger, though Daisy shrank as
she felt the ominous rumblIng beneath
her hoofs.
Good girl Good girl" whispered
Margaret. Steady, steady. there
don't be frightened" and grasping
the bride firmly with one hand, she
waved the signal vigorously with the
other, Just as the black snorting mon
ster dashed into sight.
A surprised shrek and two short
whistles answered .he signal. and
Margaret knew that all was we'll
Then things pegan 10 whirl before
her: she had Just strength 10 pull
Daisy OF the track. when she slipped
oat OF the saddle to the ground, her
little white face upturned TO the sun
set glow. The scarlet signal was still
In he- tightly cleached hand. and
Dalsy stood quietly smiling and neigh
Ing. until kelp arrived