The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-01-15
WHOLE No. 1116

bridge. Ten minutes work will dis
place timber up there that will cause
the whole affair to collapse the minute
a train attempts to pass over I've been
afraid that some of these Parray fellows
would notice the matter, and do our
company irreparable damage.
You don't mean to say" began
Derry.
yes, 1 do" interrupted the en-
gineer, with positive emphasis. They
are a bad lot, and Guiot, the head man.
would sacrifice a hundred innocent
lives to give his company an advantage.
Until the courts settle the difficulty,
we'll have to be very careful. If an
accident happens here, twill work
against the Wilson's, and may give the
other fellows the suit
Lionel Derry had no reason to like
Guiot. for-aside from the natural
rivalry engendered by being in the en-
ploy of a corporation at war with that
represented by him-the latter was not
fellow to ''take to-" and Derry
thought he was paying altogether too
much attention to pretty Aimee L.
Etoile, who, strangely enough was the
only daughter of the chairman of the
Wilson's Road.
Mile. L'Etoile was staying at the big
hotel with her aunt, and Derry, being
known by the latter, had been intro
duced to the young lady.
He fell in love with her on the spur
of the moment, but remembering the
difference in their positions, was per-
force content to worship her in secret.
Guiot became acquainted with Mile.
L'Etoile at about the same time. He
was older than Derry, thorough man
of the world, and he at once paid as
siduous court to the chairman's
daughter.
The young lady seemed to like him,
too, and this fact was gall and worm
wood to poor Derry.
After his talk with engineer Lamour-
eux, Lionel disliked Guiot more than
ever, and his morbid thoughts caused
him to shun Aimee, much to Guiot's adj
vantage.
Derry began to take long solitary
walks at night, lost his appetite, and
became hollow-eyed and pale-faced.
One night when there was no moon
and TlIe stars were obscured by clouds
he left the hotel as usual after supper,
and it was nine o'clock when he re-
turned.
His path home led by the end of the
bridge, where the pile-driver still stood
its outline of dark beams and long up
rights silhouetted against the lighter
sky like the skeleton of some giant.
Up at the hotel they were having q
dance, and Derry halted alongside the
pile-driver to listen to the music.
Presently he heard the sound OF
c
the machine and seated themselves Oh
loose piece of timber.
They were Guiot and one of his gang
and the first words they uttered caused
the listeners flesh to creep with horror,
and hot wave of Indignation to surge
through his bosom.
''You say that if that cross-piece il
loosened the whole bridge will collapse
the minute train attempts to cross?'
asked Guiot's companion.
''Yes,' answered the Parray official
land we can do it without fear of de
lection. Now's our time. The up eX
press is due at 9:47, and if it goes dow1
into the Seine it will knock the Wilson's
/ Company's claim over completely"
'WeIl." said the other rascal, ''rn
| ready. Ten thousand francs is a grea
deal of money, and if you'll guarantee
me that I'll wreck a dozen trains.
THAT is business, Commented Guiot
Crawl out on that string-piece ther,
and do,your work. 1t will only taxi
five minutes. Here's a wrench tt
loosen the bolts. I'll watch to see tha
no one approaches. That cub Derry i.
always prowling around here, and i
don't do to take any risks
| iCrht hn nth
And he started toward the bridge
wrench in hand.
But Derry sprang forward and inter
rupted him.
mo, you don't, you villainr' he cried
and seized the mans shoulder. g.
overheard your vile plan, and yo'
don't"
Don't II" was the quick retort.
And wheeling suddenly, the man deal
Lionel blow full in the face tha
knocked him flat.
Before he could scramble to his feet
the scoundrel was upon him, and he
was rendered powerless to move or CRY
out.
Attracted by the struggle, Guio
peered into the young clerks face.
"Ah, it's you is it?" he cried, in Z:
tone of malicious satisfaction. "rl
teach you to play spy!''
"What shall do with him?" aske,
the accomplice. pitch him into tn
river?"
mol" was the answer. Hold hir
fast and I'll fix him!''
s.Oh- I'll hold him fast enoughi' wa
} the confident rejoinder.
And Guiot, stepping to the pile
driver, picked up long piece of rop
that had been left lying on the ground
} With this, assisted by the other raS
cal he bound Derry hand and foot, an
a thick wooden gag was thrust into hi
mouth.
| Then they lifted up their helples
burden, and carrying him to the end c
5 the bridge, bound him fast to one c
5 the rails in such way that his che:
lay directly across it.
} II forgot the goods, said Guio
, when the Infamous job was complete
: to his satisfaction. THE local fro1
the other road backs across to I'll
junction, to be made up into the Sout
e through train. 1t will be here in abor
ten minutes and settle that fellow. A
S soon as it goes over, loosen the bean
Y and the express will do the rest. ;"
9 Derry heard this cold-blooded plot
i murder him, and his heart sickene
S with horror.
He struggled to free himself, but tt
: rope held fast, and Guiot. with col
=, temptuous and eXultant laugh seate
y himself directly under the big hamm'
of the pile-driver to watch for the deaf
S of his helpless victim.
:, He was joined by his companion, al
= the two were talking in a low tone
It voice when Lionel heard the rumble
It the goods train.
Now he strained every nerve to bur
If his bonds, writhing and eontortir
l. like a snake.
e He could feel the vibrations of Il
II heavy wheels upon the rail across whi
n he laid, and a single prayer went I
from his heart, for he felt sure that
d horrible death awaited him.
% On came the train, and, made frant
with desperation, the poor fello
IS squirmed and struggled with supe
ID human strength.
Of His efforts loosened the rope, and