Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-07-13

moment his hand did not trembIe.
Then there rose before him that other
CORY figure. Though he had lived
some months on the wild frontier and
had seen more than one man killed
there, he had never been connected
with the murder before, even as an
accessory after the fact, and the hor-
ror of it was still upon him. He low
cred the pistol, though he could easily
have shot her dead.
Such treachery on the part Of
woman would have killed some men;
not so this boy. In that moment he
became man. He saw himself a
fool; he determined that he would not
also see himself coward. CIenching
his fists and summoning his strength,
he followed southwark afoot in the
womans wake.
He walked-tf that be the word for
his progress-with his head down and
his body bent lower and lower He
took long rests between the steps. By
and by he fell forward on his face.
The sensation of delicious rest and
drowsiness that swept over him wooed
him to lie still and die but there were
still sparks and remnants of manhood
and courage in him. He shook off his
desire to sleep at last and strove fran
tically to rise Finding that he could
not, he crawled forward on his hands
and knees, slowly working himself
over the snow covered ground, round
the drifts like a great animal.
There was no use. Humanity could
not stand the strain any longer. One
more movement he made, and just as
he was about to sink down forever he
heard a long, deep hollow, mournful
sound. He stopped. interested, dimly
wondering what it could be.
Whatever it was, it meant life of
some kind. 1t came from directly
in front of him. 1t nerved him to fur
Their effort Summoning the last YES
tige of his strength, he advanced a
little farther.
He knew what it was now. It was
locomotive
He lifted his head and saw lights
family He OWNED that it was the
station, the train, the Overland Linn
tied! She would get on it and go
away! What mattered it?
And what of himself? There was
help; there was life! He actually rose
to his feet and wavered on. By hap
py chance the contour Of the ground
| had caused the space between him
and the lights to be swept compare
lively bare Of snow. 1t was not now
difficult walking, yet he staggered like
a drunken man.
Ahi the lights were moving before
his eyes, they danced and fickered.
The train was going! He broke into
a Keeling run, hoarse whispers on his
frozen lips. Too late!
He stumbled and fell across the car
tracks, dimly conscious of the lights,
of the departing train. He had just
| sense enough and strength enough
to cry out as he did so. Some one on
the station platform heard his voice
Men came toward him; he was lifted
| up and carried into a warm room.
Something burning yet deliciously re
viving was poured down his throat
THE woman!" he gasped out, look
! ing up in the faces of the station
! agent and his helper bending over
| him.
She took the limited not five min
utes ago." said the man staring at him
| curiously. The train was two hours
and a half late or she'd never have
| got it"
"She's gone then?" gasped the boy
| yes"
THANK God she sgt away!" he muir
INJURED as he lapsed INTO complete un-
| consciousness.
! There was good stuff ir the boy
He was glad the woman had escaped
in spite of all. He did not want an.
other human beings life on his hands