The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-03-15
Walter BrOwnfield
THE MYSTERY OF PRESTON FLAT.
BY JOHN II. MUSICK.
CHAPTER TX.
TIE TRAGEDY.


that fatal "Wednesday evening the same
as usual. The few farmers who were
in town hurried homeward. The vii.
layers closed up their shops and bust.
ness houses, as was their custom. The
bank of Mr. Smallweed was closed at
the usual time. Walter Browniield, pale
and nervous with almost bloodless lips,
managed TO do his part Of the business
without making any serious mistakes.
Darkness gathered over the village
and the lights in the houses were ex.
tinguished. Three men, dark and
silent, were in the bank. The men
were Mr.. Smallwced, Rockwell and
Walter. OrHers were creeping slowly
forward. At n given signal the rear
door was opened and five more dark
forms glided in. Walter could hear
some stern commands given Ia Others
without He shuddcrcd. These com.
mands given by the sheriff were orders
which would produce pain and death.
The sheriff and four men were in the
rear room which was dark The night
was cold, for autumn was ready 10
deepen into winter. The thoughts Of
the men within the bank were not
pleasant II was Il horrible suspense,
such as is experienced by soldiers cX-
pecting battle, with this difference:
the soldier j. Injured TO danger and
courage, while the civilian is not.
Walter was not one Of those characters
who delight in wild, exciting scenes,
not that he was coward, but that he
regarded the peaceful, honorable citi-
zen the real hero
Mr.. Smallwccd could hardly believe
that an attack upon his bank was inn
pending; might it not after all be n
ruse on the part of the youth to get en-
ploymenl? lie did not feel pleasant
toward Walter when he thought this.
of he is foOling with me- said the
banker, Il will discharge him to-mor-
row morning.
Hour after hour dragged slowly by.
The men were all silent. The sheriff
was doing in his chair, n double bar
relied gun between his knees. His posse
were seated about IN chairs, some nod
ding, others silently chewing their to-
bacco, and all beginning to doubt that
there were any burglars within five
hundred miles. Walter wondered why
the signal was not given. IL was mid
night, but il was too dark 10 see the
hands of watch or the face of clock.
No one dared strike match. The
small fire in the stove had long since
been allowed TO shoulder into cmbors,
and the room was growing cold. Mr..
Smallwced sat silent and gloomy in his
office chair, becoming more and more
convinced that Walter Brownlicld was
a fraud. Even Walter was anxious.
"Hdd some plan of Jack Hawkins mis-
carried, or were they only Il few neigh
bors of Preston Flat playing joke on
him, perhaps To test his honestly
Might not Mr.. Miles be- in the secret.
and might it not all tend 10 his over
whclming ruinP' The suspense be-
came almost unbcarable, as another
hour dragged slowly by.
Walter was standing at the window,
gazing out into the dark night, The
sky was eloudcSs, and studded with n
million stars. The town was silent,
cold and dark, and the frost was gath
ering white upon the window-panc.
Suddenly keen whistle was heard. Ii
came from the old bridge that crossed
the creek. Walter started, and turn
ing. whispered u few words To tho
sheriff, who had been doing in hil
seat. Every one was now wide awake,
and for a moment flutter of excite
ment was perccivable. Walter waited
until all was still. Again the shrll
blast sounded on the night air. 1t was
the signal.
"Be careful, whispered Walter, and
raising the window, he sprang through
TO the pavement below. lie ran hur-
ricdly down to the creek bank.
"ls that you, Waltz asked voice
which he recognized rs Jack Hawkins.
ut is, he answered. IL had almost
given YOU up.
'Its just the hour midnight said
Jack. in whisper. 'Is every thing
readyP'
Yes said Walter, in tone which
had about it iicrcencss that Jack :
companions could not understand.
"Then lead the way; we must Git
this job over before daylight, an be
home in our beds asleep"
Come on,n said Walter.
The seven dark, fierce men followed
him, and when in front of the bank he
paused and whispered To Jack, saying;
81 will now 20 through the window
and unfasten the door. when it is open
you can rush in.
II guess we understand our part"
said Jack. Walter lifted the window
and sprang in. The bolt had already
been withdrawn, and Mr.. Smallwccd
stood in the far corner, a string at
tached to the door to pull it open. The
sheriff and his posse with deadly fire.
arms were ready to receive the robbers.
"Quick now," said Jack Hawkins,
in a sharp tone of authority, "insidc--
cut that feller's throat and the money
Is all oursn
There was a rush of feet The whole
building shook with stunning reports
and to Walter who stood in the rear, it
seemed one blaze of fire. Dark Ian
terms were flashed from without and
within. There were screams and
shouts as if a pandemonium reigned.
There were groanS and cries of pain.
Walter saw men from without closing
in on the burglars and beating them
down from the rear. He also saw one
tall, dark form lying PROSTATE and
ghastly in the doorway. The sight
was too much for him and he turned
away. .-
A