The Carlisle independent., 1917-02-22

| cured to her memory. She did feel, however, that Storm should have made further effort to tell her, privately, he was sorry for having so rudely broken in on the festivities of the day and since he did not, she was suffi- ciently piqued to profess an interest in Seagrue she was far from feeling. The tennis games were finished and the guests making ready to go. Helen was about to start from the courts her l self when Storm. coming up, spoke abruptly to her. But he was too proud and Helen was too disdainful He could not bring himself to speak furth- CT about the unfortunate incident and, incensed by his attitude, Helen. when she extended her hand as he said good-by, slipped his ring from her fin | ger and gave it to him in shaking | hands.
 Flushed with humiliation, he turned away. This was not quite what she had expected; but it was too late now to recall her precipitateness. and. pre- l tending not to care-although she did care a great deal-she started for the station with Seagrue to see her guests safely on the train.
 At Signal station Perkins, the agent, was taking an order from the dis patcher:
 Train No. 8 will wait at Feely Juno ton for Extra 36o3 until 1:1o p. m. Helen's guests were arriving to take the local. The agent tossed the mes sage to one side and resumed his work A bevy of pretty girls appeared at his window. One of them tapped on the pane and asked what time it was Per kins, always gallant. told them and walked out on the platform to answer further questions.
 The local that day carried half a dozen box cars, with two coaches hooked on the hind end for the Signal passengers. When the train pulled in, 1 Storm, with Spike and the tennis guests, boarded it. Seagrue, having driven up gby machine, remained, greatly pleased with the situation The train drew away from the station and the agent returned to the office Seagrue and Helen walked down the platform.
 The moment Perkins reached his desk his eyes rested on the fimsy; he had forgotten to give the meeting | order for No S. He dashed out of doors, shouting yainly after the disap- ] bearing train. Seagrue stopped him. Whats the matter?"
 Perkins was hardly able to speak: T overlooked an order. Unless we stop the local she will crash into Number Eight at the Junction
 Helen. who understood the emer- gency better than Seagrue, caught her companions arm: We must catch that train,'' she cried, .'or thereH be terrible accident
 What do you mean-catch it?' de- handed Seagrue. I'm no sprinter"
 In the machine-the machine" cried Helen. Don't lose an instant We may be too late"
 Seagrue, whose mind did not work as quickly, lost a precious moment in asking questions. Then agreeing to what she declared must be done, the two hurried to the house boarded Seagrue's car and started rapidly down the highway after the local
 After crossing the hill north of the village Of Signal, the highway parallels the railroad for some distance. The local engineman, intent only on main taining his schedule, was numbering along at fairly good speed, when he saw the fireman on the other side of the cab leave his box and walk back into the gangway. A motor car oc- cupied by man and woman and driv- en rapidly along the road, was oyer- taking the engine. The fireman sur missed they were giving the train a raCe-not an unusual thing along that particular tangent But these racers waved frandcally at him. Thinking they were testing, the fireman waved back in turn.
 We never can stop them," cried Helen. That man thinks were fool ing. You must run ahead of the train, and get over on the other side where we can reach the engineer.
 With terrific burst Of speed, the motor car pulled ahead of the fast moving engine and taking the track like hurdle. crossed to the right side Of the engine. For one moment the lives in the motor car hung mar rowly in the balance; the hind wheels missed the pilot by only the fraction of a second. Helen tried to cry out her warning to the engineer. But he, mistaldng her intent as the fireman had done, grew angry at what ap- peared to him crazy joy ride He refused to listen or look any longer toward the motorists, but waved them contemptuously of, calling them round ly for their idiocy and sitting down again to his throttle.
 Half mile beyond where Helen and Seagrue were now speeding, the rail road and the highway part company