The Meridian times., 1916-08-18

ing on with his left hand, he reacned
over to where he could help Peg
through the window.
The girls skirt impeded her move
ments, somewhat, but she was good
enough athlete to follow In the way
young Lund had proceeded her. When
she had gained the ladder, and was
safely holding to its rungs, young
Lund climbed to the top OF the car.
Reaching down to aid her Lund soon
had Peg safe beside him on top OF
the car.
Then they looked forward In the
direction they were now rapidly speed
ing-and their hearts stood still.
Some few hundred feet before them
the track ran onto long trestle. that
crossed rapidly rushing river. 1t was
straight ahead, for their runaway car
had left the side track and was now
careening down the main line.
With every foot the car progressed
It's speed increased. The desperately
threatened sweethearts knelt on hands
and knees and looked ahead of them.
Their only chance was In the car
keeping the track until 1t had run its
course and should come to an upgrade
after the long trestle was crossed.
But these thoughts brought them
only momentary consolation. They
recalled what the voices had said
about the limited-and in another
second they were Mortified to see a
fast-moving passenger train appear
from behind a curve on the opposite
bank of the river and dash swiftly
onto the farther end of the low trestle.
Heaven help US now," cried Peg.
And in the same breath, proving her
tenderness of heart, she added: "The
poor little pony!"
and by sheer force of mental courage
presented an outward appearance of
perfect calm.
1T looks bad for us, my girl. But
you've got the grit and If nothing in
tervenes to save us. we must jump
for it when give the word"
Pegs only response was to move her
hand until she could press Lund's
fingers with strong and reassuring
grasp.
The oncoming train seemed to fair
ly fly at them; the car they were on
seemed to leap ahead with new mo-
mentum. Young Lund stood erect and
made sure his footing. Then he
reached down and motioned for Peg
to give him her hand.
Get ready-I1l tell you when"
Lund's voice was as steady as though
they were safely on the ground in
stead of dashing, with lightning speed,
to what might prove to be certain
death.
Lund saw the steam of the engines
whistle, but the rattle of the car as
1t bounded along the tracks dulled the
sound to a mere echo He knew, of
course, that the engineer would do
his best to avoid the collision. But
every second brought the inevitable
crash nearer and nearer.
Come on girl; we've got to jump"
said Lund, when he had waited hop
ing against hope for fate to intervene.
He saw that the smash must come
and he decided that the second had
arrived to risk the leap into the
seething water below.
Assisting Peg to her feet, and hold.
ing her for brief second in fond en-
brace, he kissed her lips and led her
TO the edge Of the swift-moving car.
Then in the instant that there were
no impeding beams to the structure
tnat strengthened the trestle, he
cried:
Jump, girl. I'll follow you"
Peg plunged headlong from the car.
IN twinkling Lund had followed her.
And in another second the engine OF
the passenger train crashed into the
hylng box car and smashed it into
spl1nters, throwing the debris into the
water, or dashing it onto the tracks
and beams Of the trestle.
Peg and Lund were favored by for.
tune when they struck the swift-run-
ming waters Of the river. Both had
prepared themselves to be engulfed
and they went far under the surface
Ihey were not far apart when they
arose. and Lund's strong legs and
arms carried him quickly to Pegs
side.
Ihen they struck out for the shore
taking their time and conserving their
strength to accomplish the long swim.
fhey paid no heed to what had han
pened on the trestle-they were in.
tent on saving their own lives and
oent their energies to that purpose.
me current brought piece Of the
demolished box car within their reach
a1ter they had swan few yards. and
this served as buoy to help them il
thelr struggles. Both were pood
swimmers, but Pegs skirts finally be-
came serious impediment.
Lund called to her command that
she should depend more upon his sun.
port and he, in turn, placed his 70.