Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1890-01-15

", no" was Deg INNING 10 repent my
foolish act; the love of the fun that had
brought me into this terrible situation.
dared not turn my head to see what
the ruffian was about to do, for L was
sure every drop of blood had left my
face.
1 could hear tile man leIve his seat
and come into the one directly behind
me. l fancied | could feel his breath
upon my neck, and the thought made
my flesh creep. What would he do?
Would he dare touch me? 4 thousand
fears flashed through my brain like
lighting. Should L rush out of the car
in search OF the conductor? Should 1
scream and pull the rope?
In spite of ali nv terror, one thought
clung to me a. owe all others; that if
possible, must hold every nerve under
iron control, and not betray myself; for
the little 1 had heard, would surely
make the men dangerous companions
for a woman travelling alone.
All this went through my mind much
quicker than have written it. The
window behind me was opened. l
pulled my veil more closely about my
face, and leaned my head against the
casing, for / was too much unstrung
to sit upright. l clenched my hands,
bit my lips, and closed my eyes. Sud-
denly there was sharp report of pis-
tol and an unearthly yell almost In my
very ear. L believe L was too paralyzed
with terror to move muscle.
a brakeman opened the door.
What's up herel'' he shouted.
''Only shoot'n' at jack rabbit, +" was
the ready lie, with which he was an
swered.
L still leaned against the side of the
car, faint and weak. My tormentor
commenced 10 talk as soon as the
brakeman closed the door.
'She's safe enough. That yell would
have raised a man dead a week. Give
us your plans and let's settle mp"
Then began an earnest discussion.
After the first few sentences my fears
were forgotten
The course of the road changing, the
sun became somewhat annoying where
l sat; in the most commonplace manner
possible l changed my seat so that 1
faced the speakers. l did this for the
deliberate purpose of practicing the
mean trait of evesdropping.
~ b'lieve could do the whole train
alone" the loudest villain said.
He took an enormous bite from a plug
of tobacco, and generously offered the
remainder to his companion.
Several OF the latuer's front teeth
were gone, and he gnawed and pulled
in a vicious way to get his share, but
was finally obliged to take out his
knife, with which he took off a liberal
slice.
Then followed a well laid plan to rob
the Overland train a few miles out of
Redfeld, lonely little station, few
hours ride beyond tae city. One of
their confederates would meet them at
the city where the Overland stopped for
AN hour, and one was already aboard
the threatened train, to take observa-
tions, and would report TO the others at
their meeting place.
Before we reached the next station
their conference came to an end.
Every things settled so fur, NUNS
the word now" the loud man sand, as
we drew near the station.
''Y esl it's settled as far as your wick
edness can settle it,' thought; "but
there may be higher power that viii
overthrow your plans"
My great desire now was to secure an
interview with the conductor, for |
could do nothing alone. When he came
IN 1 smiled in my most captivating
manner, and motioned him to a seat,
back to the conspirators. l was afraid
his colntenance would betrdy his sur
prise at the revelation | was about to
make.
He seated himself, ard wrote has.
tIly:
Take me some place where may
speak with you alone L have some
thing of the utmost Importance to tell
you"
The jolt1ng OF the train made the
words well nigh illegible, but l was
very impatient at the length of time he
puzzled over them.
/ was about to snatch the paper away
and explain more fully, when he raised
his eyes with a look which brought the
blood TO my face.
L took the tablet from him rather ur-
gently and wrote again:
Withhold your unmanly suspicious
until you hear what l have TO say.
Make hastel and do as 1 wish before we
reach the next station - for l knew it
would be necessary to use the telegraph
there.
He still looked puzzled and somewhat
ashamed, and wrote briefly:
Come into the parlor car and we
can be alone"
L arose. AMI summoned to my face
the most innocent expression L could
assume. L had the greatest difficulty
represslng shudder as L passed the
two horrible looking men on my way
out.
1 kept my eyes fixed resolutely on the
floor, lest even by the fieetest passing
glance 1 might betray my aversion, and
arouse their suspicious.
followed the conductor silently into
the drawing-room coach.
When We were alone in the little
compartment, [ burst out with my
story, forgetting for the moment the
role L had assumed.
Good heavensl'' he exclaimed.
"Ar'nt you dumbI"
mo, nor deaf, either" answered,
laughing in spite of myself, at his dazed
expression.
Then / began again, and with more
conference and less vehemence, related
all that had heard.
Ny hearer was startled and surprised
at first, but his GOODNESS soon returned.
He thought it best fof me to go back
to my place, SO as to divert all suspi-
cion.
He was to prepare a telegram TO send
from the next station, 10 the sheriff in
the city (which was fortunately the |
where we were To meet the |
Overland. He wa. to ask the sheriff TO |
have a number of deputies in readiness, |
and to give him a slight hint Of the |
plot, advising the utmost secrecy.
We both agreed that it would be |
foolish to arrest the two conspirators,
until there was a sure case against |
them, and the whole gang could be Sc
cured.
had become as enthusiast C for their |
capture as the conductor him elf. With /
he recovery of the use of my tongue, |
nv spirits and courage had risen Won