McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-06-12

Arrived at Gimino, we made the very
unpleasant discovery that the San Vito
train had gone on without us, and that
there would be no other till 3 o'clock
in the morning.
"What will you doP" asked Mr.Weir.
81 have ten minutes to spare before my
train goes; if could be of any service
to you in engaging room at the hotel
or in any other way, should be most
happy"
81 think it would be better not to 90
to the hotel" said Nab; we should
never wake up for the early train, and
we have not the time to wait for the
next one."
eyes," I answered, tive could get
some refreshment here, and stay in the
waiting-room till our train comes. 1t
is eleven o'clock now, and the time is
not so very long. We can take COM
Portable nap in the waiting-room."
Something in Mr.. Weir's manner be-
trayed that he did not approve of our
plan, but he was too polite to say any
thing against it. He called waiter to
attend to our wants, and, in answer to
the second sharp call from the locomo-
tive, took his leave, lingering long over
the hand-shake with Nab, and disap-
peared in the darkness.
81 wish he hadn't gone. feel lone
ly In this strange place." said Nab,
with little SILVER.
"Nonsense, child! 1t would have
been obstrusive and indicate if he had
remained. You forget that we are only
friends of day: Why should he alter
his plans for us?"
spoke boldly; but too was very i'll
at ease. The little coffee-room was
gradually filling with rough-looking
men, who watched us-the only women
in the place-furtively and curiously,
speaking a language which we but lit
tie understood. The hotel was mile
distant, and we could not take refuge in
it at this hour of the night, even if we
had known the way.
"Mab, how foolish of you to wear
your diamond ring on journey of this
kind-it attracts attention." / said, in
an undertone, as the light caught the
brilliant on her finger when she raised
her coffee cup.
happened to glance out of the win
dow at that instant, and, to my horror,
saw a man with evil black eyes and
grizzled hair staring intently at Nab
and me with wicked look about him
which could not forget. AS caught
his eye, he skunk away in the darkness,
and presently the railway porter came
to escort us to the waiting room.
SIT is against the rules Of the road to
allow the waiting room to be occupied
at night" he began; shut if you will
be content without a light, and with
both doors locked on the outside, l
have no objection to your waiting there
| for your train.''
This was appalling to be locked up
for five hours in q shabby little Italian
waiting room, in total darkness. By
feeling the man we prevailed upon him
to allow us to bolt the outer door on
the inside, so that we should feel lit
tie less like prisoners.
"The guard walks up and down the
platform till daylight, so you can feel
quite safe," said the porter consoling-
ly, as he wished US good night and shut
the door of the dark little den upon us.
fortunately bethought me of some
wax matches in the valise, and, light
ing one for a moment, we took in the
situation-a mean little room, with
door on two sides, hard benches round
the walls, and a long table. Surely not
an inviting apartment for repose! We
made ourselves as comfortable as the
circumstances would permit, and tried
to forget our position in sleep; but I
became preternaturally wakeful. Here
were we, two unprotected women,
dropped down at this little wayside
station, for all the long night hours sus-
picious characters were lurking about,
and we might be robbed and murdered
without our friends ever knowing of
our fate! In the midst of my cheerful
reflections it consoled me little to see
the guard pass by slowly at intervals,
with his lantern cleaning ON the red
band of his cap.
Suddenly, my ears sharpened by the
silence, heard a stealthy step approach
the inner door of our prison, and the
quiet grating of the key in the lock was
distinctly audible. My heart seemed to
stop beating with fright; and then, to
my unspcakable horror, the door softly
opened, and the evil looking man with
the grizzled hair, whom l had seen
through the window of the coffee room,
crept in with a dim lantern in his
hand.
"Listen!" he said, in hoarse whis-
per, fixing me with his wicked eyes.
eff you are quiet, will do you no
harm; but, if you scream or make the
least disturbance, know how to silence
you. I want the ring your friends
pretty finger wears, and whatever
money and other valuables you have
about you. Make no resistance, as you
value your life.''
1 suppose I grew very white and
trembled, for Mabel said in a surpris-
ingly firm voice:
Don't faint, Efie, but give the man
the valise to search; our lives are worth
more than the trumpery it contains"
The robber sat his lantern on the
table and began undoing the straps of
our valise, placing it on the floor before
| tho door at which he had ontorod