The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-09-20

since for the three young women the
reaction was come and the full horror
Of the disaster was beginning to make
itself felt. Lidgerwood contrived the
necessary diversion when the relief
train from Red Butte shot around the
curve of the hillside cutting.
'Van Lew, suppose you and Jefferis
take the women out of the way for a
few minutes while we are making the
transfer he suggested quietly. There
are enough Of us to do the work, and
we can spare you
This left Flemister unaccounted for,
but with very palpabie effort he
shook himself free from the spell of
whatever had been Stacking him.
"That's right" he assented briskly.
81 was just going to suggest that
Then, indicating the men pouring out
of the relief train: II see that my
buckles have come up on your train to
lend hand. Command us just the
same as if we belonged to you. That
Is what we are here for
Van Lew and the collegian walked
the three young women little way
trains company. the living. the in
jured and the dead, were transferred,
down the line to the relief train to be
taken back to Red Butte. Flemister
helped with the other helpers, but
Lidgerwood had an uncomfortable
feeling that the man was always at
his elbow. He was certainly there
when the last Of the wounded had
been carried around the wreck and
away to Little Butte, where 1t could
be turned upon the mine spur Y. 1t
was while the conductor Of the train
was gathering - volunteers for de-
parture that Flemister said what he
had apparently been waiting for a
chance to say.
81 can't help feeling indirectly re-
sponsible for this. Mr.. LidgerwoOd,"
he began, with something like return
of his habitual self possession. eff
hadn't asked you to come over here
tonight
I.idgerwood interrupted sharply,
"What possible difference would that
have made, Mr.. Flemister?"
It was not a special weakness OF
Flemister's to say the damaging thing
under pressure of the untoward and
unanticipated event; it is rather a COM
mon failing of human nature. In a
fash he appeared to realize that he
had admitted too much.
"Why l understood that it was
unexpected sight Of your special stand
ing on the Y that made the passenger
engineer lose his head" he countered
lamely, evidently striving to recover
himself and to efface the damaging
admission.
It CHANGED that they were standing
directly opposite the break in the track
where the rail ends were still held
apart by the small stone. Lidger
wood pointed to the loosened rail,
plainly visible under the volleying play
of the two opposing headlights.
"There Is the cause Of the disaster,
Mr. Flemister,'' he said holly, "a trap
set, not for the passenger train, but
for my special. Somebody set 1t,
somebody who knew almost to a min
ute when we should reach it. Mr..
Flemister, let me tell you something
l don't care any more for my own life
than sane man ought to care, but
the numbering devil who pulled the
spikes on that rail reached out. un-
consciously perhaps, but none the less
certainly, after a life that l would
safeguard at the price of my own.
Because he did that I'll spend the last
dollar of the fortune my father left
me, if needful, in finding that man and
hanging him.
1t was the needed flick of the whip
for the shaken nerve of the mine
owner.
"Ah," said he, Il am sure every one
will applaud that determination, Mr..
Lidgerwood-applaud it and help you
to see 1t through" And then, quite
as calmly: Il suppose you will go
back from here with your special,
won't you? You can't get down to
Little Butte until the track is repaired
and the wreck cleared. Your going
back will make no difference in the
right Of way matter. l can arrange
for a meeting With Grofield at any
tme-in Angels if you prefer"
Yes said Lidgerwood absently. 81
am going back from here"
''Then I guess I may as we'll ride
down to my jumping off place with
my men, You don't need us any long
err Make my adieus to Miss Brew
ster and the young ladies, will you,
pleaseY'
Lidgerwood stood at the break in the
track for some minutes after the re-
treating relief train had disappeared
around the steep shoulder of the great
hill-was still standing there when
Bradford. having once more sidetrack
ed the service car on the abandoned
mine spur, came down to- ask for or
ders
We'll hold the siding until Dawson
shows up with the wrecking train"
was the superintendent reply. He
ought to be here before long Where
are Miss Brewster and her friends?'
"They are all up at the bonfire. I'm
having the Jap launder the car a little
before they move in
There was another interval of delay,
and Lidgerwood held aloof from the
group at the fire. pacing slow sentry
beat up and down beside the ditched
train and pausing at either turn TO
listen for the signal Of Dawson's COM
ing 1t sounded at length-a series Of
shrfll whistle ShriekS distance soften