Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-09-25

ShrIcked the last Oc Pa ltns Slt5L4al, lI4S
train moved from Bale station. In one
corner OF the carriage sat Brown; in
another-the fartbest on the opposite
side - sat the man with the black
whiskers,
How often-in fancy we place our
selves in heroic situations, and there
in fancy act with inyIriable heroism.
It is quite different, however, when the
heroic situation IS n reality; our conse-
quent actions are liable to be quite diff
ferent, too The position in which
Brown now found himself might well
have appalled, the bravest. He was
alone in q railway carriage with a
scoundrel who had followed him from
London; Brown had utterly aban-
doned surnise since last night and ac-
cepted each idea rs an absolute GER
tainty-the object in this scoundrels
view was the capture Of the valua bic
diamond, which was at that very mo
ment on Browns person. a long jour
ney lay before them and Brown was
unarmed AT this review of the situa-
ton his heart sank; he drew back in
stinctively into the corner. His eyes
suddenly met those Of the other man:
deep fush suffused his face, which
seemed to find reflection in the Others.
Brown hastily took up Baedelzer and
affected to read, the man opposite
simultaneously cid the same. A trans
parent unreality on both sides. Browns
furtive glances invariably caught
quickly withdrawn though they were
those OF the other man leveled on him.
While this went on, the slightest
change Of position, the least movement
in the opposite corner made Brown
start Might it not herald the approach
of danger? a spring, rush, the at
taclzl
The tension was terrible; to remain
inactive almost impossible. Brown
had an inspiration. as a man in ex-
tremity sometimes has Though he
was not armed, he would pretend to be.
That might do something; produce
hesitation or delay, at least Accord
ingly, he deliberately assumed a bold,
even threatening demeanor. Casting
a truculent glance across the carriage,
he plunged his hand into his pocket,
affecting to grasp an imaginary revol-
yer. To his intense delight the ruse
took immediate effect. The man OPP
posite gave an unmistakable start, and
shrank back into his corner. So far,
so good. But how to keep up the pre-
tense? What to do next? At this
crisis the whistling of the engine sud-
denly distracted Brown. Good
heavensl He had forgotten the long
tunnel! They were coming to it now!
His eyes, with quick, Involuntary
movement, sought the lamp. 1t was
not lighted!
Entrapped! Doomed The widest
thoughts rushed confusedly to his
brain. With a Shrek the train plunged
noisily into the tunnel, into darkness.
The din and rattle outside contrasted
sharply with the silence within the
carriage. Croucked in his corner,
Brown, his hearing sharpened to agoniz-
ing acuteness, listened for stir, a
rustic, the sound of human breathing
drawing nearer to him. Every moment
fancy detected a step, stealthy, cat
like movement. His imagination,
after the neglect of q lifetime, was now
taking ample revenge. Uncontrolled
and uncomfortable were its wild flights.
Every railway murder of which he had
ever heard flashed upon him with all
the CHASTITY details. The spring upon
the victim, the struggle, the death
stroke, the body thrown out on the
rails. How idly he had read of these
things happening to other men! But
now to realize himself as the victim;
his, the hodyl Absolute panic seized
upon him; hardly knowing what he
was doing. he tried softly to open the
door. 1t was locked, however His
movements must have been heard,
there was a stir at the other end of the
carriage. The fatal moment had
come, the assassin was advancing to
the attack. In the extremity of his
terror Brown sank swiftly on the floor
and crawled under the seat
For what length of time he crouched
there, half sti1ed, scarcely daring to
breathe, Brown knew not. Agony can
not measure time. 4 sudden and ex-
traordinary rush of air made his heart
first stand still, and then sent the blood
coursing wildly through his veins. The
far door was swinging open! Some
thing had happened And what?
His straining ears detected no sound
but the outside rattle and roar of the
train through the tunnel; within all
was silence. lie remained listening in
intense excitement and anazement pp-
Ill the hope which had hardly dared to
Stir in his breast grew into vigorous
life. He was alone in the carriage! He
was saved Deliverancc had come
miraculously-why and how he knew
noti
Tho tunnel was coming to an end;
light began to stream into the carriage.
Cautiously and slowly Brown peeped
from under the seat. He was quite
alone. The man had disappeared.
The fact of his escape was, at the
time, enough for Brown. Afterward,
In thinking over the adventure, he sur
missed that the man, deceived by his
(Brown's) attempt to turn the handle
Of the door had followed in supposed
pursuit.
At the station, just outside the tun-
nel, Brown-alighting almost before
The train had stopped-changed his
place for one in a crowded second-class
compartment. A few hours later the
brilliant was safely transferred from
his charge into that of Goldsmith's
brother at Lucerne.
The rest of the tour was uneventful;
he neither heard of nor saw his perse-
cutor again.
Browns adventure made quite SEN
srtion on his return to London. He
was the hero of the hour in his circle.
Whether or not he related the circum-
stances exactly, as here set forth, need
not be mentioned His friend Jones,
among others, gave n dinner party in
his honor. Brown, with his usual
punctuality, was the first of the guests
to arrive.
by the way" Jones said chafingly
to him, as the two stood chatting to-
gether on the hearth-rug, you must
look to your laurels tonight, Brown.
Do you know Leroy, your neighbor in
Harley street?"
Never saw the man in my life.
What's the jol1e?"
ssA rival adventure! In Switzerland,
toe and eliminating in tunnel-not
sure that it wasn't the Often one also"
''Dear me! What an extraordinary
coincidencer'
''In this case it was a lunatic, not a
robber. He was shadowed at hotels
and trains. You must hear the story
from his own lips; he's dining here to-
night. The climax is terrific. Shut