The Western outlook., 1914-12-26

had Just left, and Summit was single
track.
The grade was terrific. The fasp
freight would come down 1t booming
1t would meet seventy-three at about
Pine Tree crossing and utterly de-
stroy 1t, and in the destruction the two
guilty ones would perish.
With a steady hand he answered
Summit, and ordered the freight to
make Sweetwater at once and walt
there on the siding for seventy-three-
AS ne gave the order Gardner en-
tered the office He heard the signai
and understood it,
HELL" he exclaimed impatiently,
what makes seventythree so later
Before Carleton could prevent him
he had seized the order-book and was
looking over 1t to discover for himself
what was wrong
Good God!" he cried excitediy,
'countermand that last order. Seven
ty-three has left Sweetwater. They
will meet on the grade"
NO" answered Carleton. rising
slowly and facing him.
Gardner sprang forward toward the
telegraph table to send the message
himself, but the other caught\ him by
the throat. Then at last he under
stood the truth; he was dealing with
a mailman. With great cry he tried
to release himself, but he was held In
a grip like wise. Vainly he struggled
to free himself. The thought Of two
hundred innocent souls rushing to de-
struction gave him an almost superhu-
man strength, but even that could not
force the other to relax his hold.
Seeing that his efforts were useless
he cried aloud for help. AS he did so,
Carleton drew back and struck him
with all his force Like log he sank
| to the floor. Carleton stood over the
PROSTATE form smiling happily. His
revenge would be complete; and in his
heart was an awful Joy.
Presently he heard the door open
and turned to see who was entering.
Then his heart stood still and his
breath left him. Helen, his wife, was
crossing the threshold. He stared at
| her in dumb terror.
1t was over then, the accident, and
| she had come to reproach him. He
wanted to hide from her and yet he
dared not turn away his head. He
could only stand and gaze fascinated
ly upon her. His knees trembled be-
| meath him.
At last she spoke.
John" she said, what is it? Why
do you look at me SOP"
AS he heard her voice he gave a
great heaving sob. She was not dead,
tive been looking all over for you"
she went on. This afternoon / left
you asleep and went to make a call,
When I returned you were gone"
His heart was beating with terrible
violence and still he could not breathe.
With difficulty he drew Munro's letter
from his pocket, and handed it to her.
"That letter." he murmured thickly.
She glanced at it and laughed.
That" she cried, that was one of
before we were married. / saved them
ALL but last night after you made such
a fuss / resolved to burn them. l got
them all out and was waiting to let
you see me do 1t"
A great light, the light of won
derful joy, swept over his face. He
held out his arms and started toward
her. Suddenly be stopped. Gardners
voice echoed through the room.
"The train, the train, for Gods sake
save the train!"
Carleton flung his arms above his
head with dreadful writhing gesture
and sank Imply into a chair.
What have done?" he whispered
ooh, what have I done?"
"You have killed Them said Gard
ner weakly, as he staggered to his feet,
two hundred people. You have killed
| them" He fell weakly on table, his
head in his arms, and sobbed like a
little child
The woman rushed to her husbands
side
John" she said, what is it?"
81 thought you and he were on sew
enty-three," he answered her duly
"and have wrecked it."
She did not speak, but her face went
very white.
Then followed silence while they
waited. Presently Gardner began I'd
pray. He stopped and there was ST.
lence again. In little while must
come the news of the disaster.
But none of them could ever forget
| the agony of the waiting there in that
silent room, sitting in strained quiet to
hear the tidings of disaster wrought
by a jealous mans mad whim.
At last It came. Summit called on
the telegraph. Gardner CROPPED his way
to the instrument and answered
Fast freight got hot-box in sta
ton" came the message; have back
ed her on siding waiting for orders"
That was all-yet it meant that sew
enty-three was safe. With white
face Gardner turned.
Thank God" he cried to Carleton
But the latter did not hear He was
lying on the floor In dead faint.
Antl-suffragistic.