The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-01-15


off and began with its long fingers to
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-
bic to study or even become much in
terested in the new novel t. at lay with
its leaves only partially orr on his Of
fee table.
How long he sat there> sleeping or
day-dreaming, he scarcely could tell
1t must have been over an hour. how
ever, for it was long after the clock
had struck eleven when he was startled
by q 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 harsh voice Kissed
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 revolver at 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 darls-faced, evil-looking men
stepped boldly in at the open door
1--WE don't wish to harm you, young
stcr, but we want money, and by Gag
ging the next train, No. s, you will
help US into a fortune, as we have some
knowledge concerning the valuables
it carries"
"Why, that is through train; it
never stops here, nevcri" gasped Hugh.
do You reckon we'd axed for your
help If we hadn't known that?" sneered
one of the other men. I'VE have no
time to fool, and If you don't help us
well fix you and take business into our
own hands What do you say9 Will
you stop the train or not?"
Il can't dare notl" exclaimed
Hugh. DO you think | would betray
my trust in that shameful mannerp"
81 told you the cub hadn't sand
enough to stand up in a 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-
fidents of such cowardly spoolzs as you
find down in these Virginia swampS"
81 believe in doing everything in
square and honest fashion," returned
the man who had made the first as
sault.
Talk about honor among thieves"
retorted the little, bald-headed man,
but if we arc goin' to grab ourselves
rich we can't stand here arguing any
longer" glancing at his expensive
timepicce.
You're right" exclaimed the first
rogue, as he placed a gag in poor,
frightened lughs 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
and the cowardly ruffians hurried away
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 unobserved
when the train slowed up at the sta
ton 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
Uow1urrrofrcduowY on the track.
and as none of the other men were in
calling distance l was afraid could
not get it off in time and so had the
danger signal swung out. But it is all
right now" pointing to huge rock bv
the side of the track.
Neither the conductor nor engineer
suspected treason, and in a few min
utes the train was again in motion, the
disguised rogue hopping on the ex-
prcss-car platfoxn on the opposite side
of the train from the station, as il
passed the place where he stood.
Not seeing the Benning operator ac-
cording to arrangement Frank Rev
nolds stepped off the train and into the
little waiting-room, where a light was
dimly burning Hearing groans some.
where in the neighborhood she ven
tured into the Office, where poor Hugh
was lying bound hand and foot. lie
had succeeded in forcing the gag
partially out of his mouth, and Just as
the train started off his efforts to make
her understand the situation became
clear and sent her to the instrument To
flash the news to the station above.
| The message was brief but startling:
/ Look out for robbers on express car No 9
! Send assistance 10 Benning by next train
! Operator badly used up"
She waited few minutes and then
! back over the wires came:
! All right You will have assistance verv
soon"
With this assurance she went bacl,
to release Hugh, still prisoner in the
inner Office. The poor fellow had been
roughly handled and before he was
free tainted sew eral times from the loss
of blood He was still unconscious
when the train stopped few minutes
later with a surgeon and the assistance
promised on board They brought the
good news of the capture of the train
| robbers, b.. Hugh was too weak To
pay much attention to the conversation
that night
He'll be all right by morning"
said the doctor, confidently, but he
was mistaken, for the next day found
the poor fellow tossing uneasily in a
high fever Day after day and night
after night Frank Reynolds remained
TO nurse him and attend to his duties
until her whole forY,,;rh,,s roo...