CHAPTER XXXV

andlifetimes. Theheelofherpretty,foolishshoecaughtinacreviceoftheswitch.Shecouldnotpullitloose. “Barney—Barney!”shecalledinalarm. Barneyturned—sawherpredicament—sawherashenface—dashedback.Hetriedtopullherclear—hetriedtowrenchherfootfromtheprisoninghold.Invain.Inamomentthetrainwouldsweeparoundthecurve—wouldbeonthem. “Go—go—quick—you’llbekilled,Barney!”shriekedValancy,tryingtopushhimaway. Barneydroppedonhisknees,ghost-white,franticallytearingathershoe-lace.Theknotdefiedhistremblingfingers.Hesnatchedaknifefromhispocketandslashedatit.Valancystillstroveblindlytopushhimaway.HermindwasfullofthehideousthoughtthatBarneywasgoingtobekilled.Shehadnothoughtforherowndanger. “Barney—go—go—forGod’ssake—go!” “Never!”mutteredBarneybetweenhissetteeth.Hegaveonemadwrenchatthelace.AsthetrainthunderedaroundthecurvehesprangupandcaughtValancy—draggingherclear,leavingtheshoebehindher.Thewindfromthetrainasitsweptbyturnedtoicycoldthestreamingperspirationonhisface. “ThankGod!”hebreathed. Foramomenttheystoodstupidlystaringateachother,twowhite,shaken,wild-eyedcreatures.Thentheystumbledovertothelittleseatattheendofthestation-houseanddroppedonit.Barneyburiedhisfaceinhishandsandsaidnotaword.Valancysat,staringstraightaheadofherwithunseeingeyesatthegreatpinewoods,thestumpsoftheclearing,thelong,gleamingrails.Therewasonlyonethoughtinherdazedmind—athoughtthatseemedtoburnitasashavingoffiremightburnherbody. Dr.Trenthadtoldheroverayearagothatshehadaseriousformofheart-disease—thatanyexcitementmightbefatal. Ifthatwereso,whywasshenotdeadnow?Thisveryminute?Shehadjustexperiencedasmuchandasterribleexcitementasmostpeopleexperienceinalifetime,crowdedintothatendlessthirtyseconds.Yetshehadnotdiedofit.Shewasnotaniotatheworseforit.Alittlewobblyattheknees,asanyonewouldhavebeenaquickerheart-beat,asanyonewouldhavenothingmore. Why! WasitpossibleDr.Trenthadmadeamistake? Valancyshiveredasifacoldwindhadsuddenlychilledhertothesoul.ShelookedatBarney,hunchedupbesideher.Hissil