The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-12-21

| tIIe next station, Tor knew 1t Would
be necessary to use the telegraph there.
He still looked puzzled and somewhat
ashamed, and wrote briefly:
''Come into the parlor Car ana we L
be alones' ~
l arose, and summoned to my face the
most innocent expires sion 1 could as
sumo. had the greatest difficulty re-
pressing shudder as l passed thetwo
horrible looking men on my way out
kept my eyes fixed resolutely on the
floor, lest even by the fleetest passing
glance might betray my aversion, and
arouse their suspicious.
followed the conductor silently into
the drawing-room coach.
When we were alone in the little COM
| partnent, 1 burst out with my story.
| forgetting for the moment the role had
| assumed.
Good heavens!" he exclaimed. "Afn,t
you DUNLOP
''No, nor deaf, either" 1 answered.
laughing in spite of myself, at his daed
| expression.
Then l began again, and with more
| conference and less vehemence, related
all that had heard.
My hearer was startled and SURPRISED
at first, but his GOODNESS soon returned.
| He thought it best for me to go back
to my place, SO as to divert all suspicion.
He was to prepare telegram to send
| from the next station, to the sheriffin
the city (Which was fortunately he
county-seat) where we were to meetdN
| Overland. He,was to ask the slDNci< -
have number of deputies in readiness,
and to give him slight hint of the plot,
advising the utmost secrecy.
We both agreed that it weld be
foolish to arrest the two constrators,
until there was sure case agaiDt them,
and the whole gang could be scared.
had become as enthusiastic or their
capture as the conductor himself. With
the recovery of the use of m; tongue,
my spirits and courage had rsen won
derfully.
returned to the other car A good
many passengers had come in It the last
station, and bore their scrutiy calmly.
My mind was relieved of an awful bur-
den, for felt that l had shard the re-
sponsibility with another, strmger and
wiser than myself.
When we reached the city, left the
car, and went into tho lunch-oom, or
dering my lunch by my tabbt, for 1
dared not give up my deception yet;
might be watched.
took my place in the Overland, won
dering very much what arrangement the
sheriff was making with the conductor.
Night was coming swiftly on. grew
cold as | reflected what the 1ext few
hours might bring. l dared not stay
away, and was frightened almost to
death at being there. Knowing myself
that had betrayed tire ruffians, was
in deadly fear of their finding it out.
Then laughed at myself for my fool
ishiness. They would never suspect me
after the cruel test to which l had been
put
Every minute which wore so slowly
away seemed like an hour. l was get
ting too wretched and nervous to sit
quiet another minute, when the train
started, with the ringing of bells, blow
ing of steam, shouting and running
which accompanies such an event.
l scanned every face near me for a
sign. At last, the conductor entered
1 noticed that he scrutinized every fei
male passenger very closely. When h
reached my seat he threw the rays of hi
lantern directly in my face. l dared no
speak, but l gave him most implorin,
look.
When he returned my ticket, he ar
parently wrote on the little slip the
usual cabalistic scratching, but in reality
it bore the words:
''All right, keep up courage"
gave long sigh of relief, sank back
in my seat, and covered my face with
my hands. 1t seemed as if the dreadful
beating of my heart would be heard on
all sides.
l can not tell how long we rumbled
along in the darkness. l can not Judge
of the time, for to me it seemed an eter-
nifty. Then the speed of the train
slackened, and we stopped. Then there
was rush of two or three men (who had
sat near the door,, to the platform, and
l saw something shining in their hands.
There was a sound of pistol shots, shouts
and curses. | covered more closely in
my seat, with wholesome fear of stray
bullets.
1t was all over in a few minutes. The
distractions which the robbers had
placed on the track were removed, and
we were flying over the rails again.
There was a great hubbub and confu-
sion in the car, and questions flew right
and left. AS usual, the officers were
very non-committal, and very few of the
passengers really knew what had hap
pened.
By and by, my conductor las have
often called him since), came in and sat
down beside me.
care the men caught? Did any get
away? Was anybody hurt? Tell me!
quick" exclaimed, all in breath.
eyes, they're caught! safely bagged in
handouts and leg-irons. When the
dumb speak, great things are accom-
plished," he answered, gaily. Then he
added in sadder voice: "Poor John
son, a brakeman, was shot dead. 1t will
be sad news for the poor wife and little
ones. Don't you want to see them? Come
and look at the pretty birds you helped
to cage"
For the second time followed him,