Part 3 (1/2)
”I do believe that's all that ails Ida--just plain jealousy”
”Maybe,” assented Isabel
They rode along for so down the steeper parts of the hill, and running easily where there was a level stretch They were now approaching the worst part of the descent Frohhich the railroad crossed at grade, and approached on a curve
There was a long-drawn, shrill whistle
”What's that?” exclaimed Elizabeth
”The train!” cried Isabel ”Oh, the train! Cora, the train is co!”
”I hear it,” spoke Cora calmly, but she pressed her foot down harder on the brake pedal, and tried to use the co force, as Paul had showed her
”Can't you slow up?” pleaded Elizabeth There was a note of alar to!” alth on the brake lever ”I've done all I kno, but but we don't see!”
She spoke the last words in a curiously quiet voice
”Put on the brakes!” called Bess
”They are on!” said Cora fiercely
”Oh, Cora!” screamed Isabel ”I see the train! There at the foot of the hill! We'll run into it! I' to juetically
Elizabeth covered her face with her hands She shrank back into her seat Her sister leaned up against her Below could be heard the puffing of the train Then the engineer, seeing the auto rushi+ng down to destruction, blew shrieking whistles, as if that could help
Cora was frantically pulling on the brake lever Her face was nohite with fear, but even in the midst of this terror she felt a curious cal at soht she was miles and miles away Her foot was pressed down so hard on the brake pedal that it felt as if her shoe would burst off
But the car slid along, nearer and nearer the track, along which the train was thundering--rushi+ng to meet the auto-to annihilate it
”Stop! Stop!” screamed Isabel ”Stop!” She rose in her seat
”Sit down!” commanded Cora
”But stop!” pleaded Isabel ”We'll all be killed! Stop! Oh, Cora, stop!”
”I'rim reply ”But--I can't the brake--the brake is jammed!”
The last words ca on the brake handle with all her force
Nearer and nearer sounded the approaching train The auto was sliding down the hill with ever-increasing speed, but Cora never let go her hold of the steering wheel
Once more she tried to pull the brake lever It would not co nals He leaned from his cabandto theainst the brake pedal