wife sat by the light of the open fire and talked together
until nearly six o'clock. Mr. Hardy had just said something about
Clara, and Mrs. Hardy replied, "Isn't it about time they were here?"
when the telephone bell rang in the little office adjoining the
hallway, connected by wire with the shops, where Mr. Hardy attended to
some of the business of the company. He went in and answered the call,
and a series of sharp exclamations and questions was soon followed by
his coming back into the room where his wife sat. By the light of the
open fire she could see that he was very pale. His overcoat was lying
on the couch where he had thrown it as he came in. He hastily put it
on, and then said to his wife:

"Mary, there has been an accident to the six o'clock way-train between
Baldwin and here, and Burns has telephoned me to come down. Don't be
alarmed. We will hope for the best."

Mrs. Hardy started up.

"Why, Will and Bess and Clara were coming home on that train!"

"Mary, let us hope for the best." Mr. Hardy's voice trembled, but he
tried to speak calmly and in comfort.

"What did Mr. Burns telephone? Tell me all, Robert. I can bear it
with you."

"He telephoned that the train was derailed and a dozen people killed
and as many injured. I must go down the road at once! O my God, spare
our dear ones!"

Mr. Hardy was almost overwhelmed by this last stroke, yet he asked
himself how many accidents had occurred this last year on the road
without his giving much thought to the suffering of those families
afflicted! Now perhaps it had come to him. Bidding his wife pray and
hope, he rushed out of the house and down to the station with the
energy and rapidity of the youth who in college days had taken prizes
for athletic superiority.

At the yard he found a special train just ready to go to the scene of
the accident. It consisted of a wrecking car, a caboose, and one coach
with tender and engine. He mounted the engine with a feeling that it
was a little nearer the fatal spot and would reach there first. At the
last minute no more definite news concerning the particular persons
killed and injured had been received.

Mr. Hardy felt almost glad of the uncertainty as the engine pulled out
and started on its run of fifteen miles, soon attaining a speed of
fifty-five miles an hour. The snow was falling in large moist flakes.
It was growing warmer, and would rain before morning. He gazed at the
narrow band o