The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-08-04

will lead the way thr0ngh uoc door, moi
through the window. You know me. L
you disobey me 1 shall feel compelled tc
shoot Go on!"
Slowly and sullenly Burke led the way
The door was open, and just inside sat an
old man who did duty as Waterman. "Ah
Walker" said Arthur, ''bring your lamp
will you!''
The old Waterman was surprised, but
asked no question as he complied with Ar.
thurs request. The building was large
built of red brick and stone 1t was divided
into two portions, one covering the six i'm.
mense boilers and the other the two power.
full engines.
The window which Burke had entered
was on the side farthest from the doorway
and just behind one of the engines.
All was quiet at this hour, work being
slack, and consequently no night shift being
run.
Look around little, Walker" said May,
as with pistol in hand, he closely watched
Burke.
But Walker discovered nothing unusual.
"Ain'tyou glade" asked Burke, sneeringly.
"Why were you here, BurkeP' inquired
Arthur, very sternly.
Because it suited me' was the rough
reply. Arthur wondered what he should
do next. He still kept Burke well covered,
but his thoughts were very busy. For a
minute or two all was as still as death-so
still that Arthur could detect what sounded
like the muf1ed ticking of clock
us there clock in this building, Walller?'
Queried Arthur.
eyes, sir. But it stopped tE;s two weeks
and more"
Arthur noticed a queer expression pass
<Nyer Burke's features, and ar inspiration
seized the parson.
Burke, that ticking is of some Internal
machine which you have brought here-I
know it. have both read of and seen such
things"
"Yes, curse you, and if you don't hurry out
of here we shall all be to he'll in few
minutes"
"Scoundrelw
Arthur still watched his mac, and still
thought. He thought Of the coStlS engines
which if destroyed would throw out of en-
ployment a thousand men for several weeks.
He thought of possinie terrific explosion
and the loss of life, probably, in the cottage
which stood only stones throw away; he
thought of his own life, and of old Walker.
and even of Burke himself.
Burke, you are not man. You are a
devil If you will pick up that package and
carry it down to the creek you shall have
that chance of your life; if you refuse ]
shall shoot you in a mOment-shaQ kill
you''
The fellow began to whine like baby
and said it was almost time for the horrible
machine to do its work. Said it was only
set for fifteen minutes. Coward that he was,
Burke begged for his own life, caring
nothing for the lives or property of others.
"At once, fellow, at once-pick up that
deviltry and take it to the creek. When it
is tn the water will see that you have a
chance to escape-and then, never show
your face near Ironvale againr'
Seeing Arthur in earnest, Burke tardily
tookthe ticking package from the machinery
of the engine and made his way out of the
building, followed at a short distance by
Arthur-who was himself running great
risk.
Once outside, the villain walked briskly
toward the creek, which lay some three
hundred yards distant. He soon reached
the banks and hurled the package, which
was evidently heavy, into mid-stream. But
one thing both he and Arthur had forgotten,
or had been ignorant of. There was thick
ice on the water and as the package struck
with considerable force there was tremen.
dous explosion which shattered the ice and
splashed the water in all directions.
Arthur was fifty yards or more from the
creek, but was thrown down by the shock
and severely stunned. AS for Burke, a
dozen large pieces of ice struck him-deal-
ing him fearful death.
X
1t isn't necessary to go into any more
particulars-but that's how Arthur May
came to be Spriggs and Company's chaplain.
W. II. S. ATKINSON.