Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-01-11

count the minutes of the new.
 On this particular night he was so wrought up on account of the treat in store for him that he found it impossi- ble to study or even become much in terested in the new novel that lay with its leaves only partially cut on his of- flee table.
 How long he sat there, sleeping or day-dreaming, he scarcely could tell. It must have been over an hour, how ever, for it was long after the clock had struck eleven when he was startled by stealthy step close by his side. Be- fore he had time to speak or change his position heavy hand was laid on his shoulder and a harsh voice hissed in his ear: Don't scream or try to es- cape if you don't want to make the acquaintance of this" exhibiting the handle of a revolver. "It IS the other end that is dangerous, though, but if you obey orders you have no cause to be alarmed. Here are my pals" as two darI-faced, evillooking men stepped boldly in at the open door. "Wo don't wish to harm you, young ster, but we want money, and by flag ging the next train, No. 8, you will helpus into q fortune, as we have some knowledge concerning the valuables it carries
 "Why, that is through train; it never stops here, neverl'' gasped Hugh
 Do you reckon we'd aXed for your help if we hadn't known that?" sneered one of the other men. "We have no time to fool, and if you don't help us we'll fix you and take business into our own hands. What do you say? Will you stop the train or not?"
 'I can't-I dare notr' exclaimed Hugh. Do you think would bctray my trust in that shameful manner?"
 "I told you the cub hadn't sand enough to stand up in job like this," said the third man. "Better a-gagged him at first and it would have been over. There is no use in making con- fdents of such cowardly spoolls as you find down in these Virginia swamps" 1 "I believe in doing everything in square and honest fashion," returned the man who had made the first as- sault.
 i Talk about honor among thieves" ." retorted the little, bald-headcd man, ''but if we are goin' to grab ourselves rich we cant stand here arguing any longer" gllneiag at his expensive timepiece.
 "You're right" exclaimed the first rogue, as he placed d gag in poor, frightened Hugh's mouth. This done, the unfortunate fellow was tied hand and foot, and then, helpless as he was, the rope that bound him was made fast to the little iron safe, the danger lam tern was swung out in the darkness f1,n OnIx-o3,11Iy 1,,,r.i,l to secrete themselves expecting to hop on the express car as soon as the train came to a standstill, and by fair or foul means shut the mouth of the ex- press agent, secure the booty coveted and made their escape unobscrvcd when the train slowed up at the sta tion above. The first part of their plan worked admirably, and when the train stopped one of the gang in the garb of a section hand ran up to the conductor, eXclaiming, breathlessly:
 "A bowldcr rolled down on the track, and as none of the other men were in calling distance I was afraid could not get it of in time and so had the danger signal swung out. But it is all right now" pointing to huge rock by the side of the track.
 NCIIlGE IllS COhNluSGCE HOT engineer suspected treason, and in few min utes the train was again in motion, the disguised rogue hopping on the ex- press-car platform on the opposite side of the train from the station, as it passed the place where he stood
 Not seeing the Bcnning operator, ac- cording to arrangement, Frank Rev. holds stepped off the train and into the little waiting-room, where q light was dimly burning. Hearing groans some. where in the neighborhood she ven. turcd into the office, where poor Hugh was lying bound hand and foot, He had succeeded in forcing the gag partially out of his mouth, and just as the train started of his efforts to make her understand the situation became clear and sent her to the instrument tc flash the news to the station above
 The message was brief but startling:
 Look out for robbers on express car No. 8 Send assistance to Benning by next train Operator badly used up"
 She waited few minutes, and ther
 back over the wires came:
 All right. You will have assistance yer,
 scon."
 With this assurance she went bacl
 to release Hugh, still a prisoner in tn, inner office. The poor fellow had beer roughly handled and before he wa free fainted sev eral times from the los , of blood. He was still unconsciou when the train stopped few minute
 later with 6 surgeon and the assistanc : promised on board They brought tn good news of the capture of the trail ; robbers, br. Hugh was too weak t. - pay much attention to the-conversatiol
 that night
 . Hell be all right by morning, said the doctor, confidently, but h was mistaken, for the next day foun 3 the poor fellow tossing uneasily in 2 high fe,er. Day after day and nigh 3 after night Frank Reynolds remaine \ to nurse him and attend to his duties 3 until her whole fortnight's vacation 7 was gone. Not until the morning sh l went away, however, did Hugh ident r fly her with Frank Reynolds, his frien t telegrapher.
 l He had supposed that Frank was
 bright, witty young man, about hi