I could scarcely
breathe, while my eyes smarted so under the onslaught that I could see
only with great difficulty. With what wonderful velocity the mind
works in moments of great danger! Even before I had left the station,
my alert brain had weighed and reweighed the chances of the plans it
had with such marvellous rapidity given birth to. As I ran, the quick
panting of the locomotive was borne to my strained ears with great
distinctness by the hurrying wind. The ear is easily deceived as to
sounds; whether the train was fifty yards or half a mile away I could
not tell. A few more steps and the lever that worked the semaphore was
in my hands. I quickly released the wire which held down the distant
semaphore arm. Just as I did so I saw Herbert jump from the platform
on to the track, along which he ran, still calling in piteous tones
for the express to stop.

"Then followed an experience so fearful that I wonder my mind, too,
did not lose its balance. Regardless of wind and rain I stood
clutching the lever, waiting for the engine to whistle the station to
lower the arm. If no whistle came, I was too late! My very heart
seemed to stop and listen, while my nerves seemed as if they must
surely snap, so overwrought were they. To my excited imagination every
second seemed an hour. Still the dreadful suspense went on, while the
panting of the engine grew quicker and quicker. The suspense was
actually too great to bear, and I weakly sank on to the platform. A
moment later there came floating a sound sweeter to my ears than the
triumphant song of the nightingale; yet it was only the deep
discordant whistle of the fleeing locomotive calling for the semaphore
arm to be lowered.

"Saved! I sprang to my feet, sobbing like a child. As I turned to go
back to the station, a startling apparition met my eyes; standing ten
paces from me and waving a red lamp was Julia. Her white clothing and
the fitful glare of the red light made her look like something
supernatural. The fierce wind tossed the hair in sweet disorder about
her refined delicate face, while the cold rain made the clothing cling
to her slender figure like a shroud. 'Julia!' I exclaimed aghast,
advancing toward her with faltering steps. Then the lantern fell, and
I caught her as she was about to fall. I carried her back to the
station, with the strength born in me by the continued angry whistling
of the engine, and by the final cessation of its violent breathing. As
I laid