The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-02-09


On this particular night he was so
wrought up on account of the treat in
store for him that he found it impossi-
BILE to study or even become much in
terested in the new novel that lay with
it's leaves only partially cut 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 stealthy step close by his side. Be-
fore he had time to speak or change
his position a 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. 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 dark-faced, evil-looking men
stepped boldly in at the open door
"We don't wish to harm you, young
ster, but we want money, and by flag
ging the next train, No. 8, you win
help us into a fortune, as we have some
knowledge concerning the valuables
it carries"
"Why, that Is through train; 1t
never stops here, neverl" gasped Hugh.
'Do you reckon we'd axed for your
help If we hadn't known thatp" sneered
one Of the other men. 1--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 say9 Will
you stop the train or not?"
81 can't--I dare mott" exclaimed
Hugh, "Do you think would betray
my trust in that shameful manner2"
81 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-
fidents of such cowardly spooks as you
find down in these Virginia swamps."
81 believe in doing everything in a
square and honest fashion," returned
the man who had made the first as
sault ..-
Talk about honor among thieves, 4"
retorted the little, bald-headed man,
but If we are goin' to grab ourselves
rich we can't stand here arguing any
longer" glancing at his expensive
timepiece.
You're right" exclaimed the first
rogue, as he placed 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
and the cowardly ruffians hurried away
to secrete themselves, expecting to hop
on the express car as soon as the train
came to 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 q section hand ran up to the
conductor, exclaiming, breathlessly:
"a bowlder rolled down on the track,
calling distance was afraid | could
not get it off in tine and so had the
danger signal swung out. But it is all
right now" pointing to huge rock by
the side OF the track.
I Neither the conductor nor 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 il
passed the place where he stood
Not seeing the Benning operator, ac-
cording to arrangement, Frank Rey.
nolds stepped off the train and into the
little waiting-room, where light wa:
dimly burning Hearing groans some
where in the neighborhood she ven
tured into the office, where poor Hugh
was lying bound hand and foot. Ht
had succeeded in forcing the gas
partially out OF his mouth, and just a.
the train started off 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
Send assistance TO Benning by next train
Operator badly used up"
She waited few minutes, and thel
back over the wires came:
All right, You will have assistance YER
soon"
With this assurance she went bacl
to release Hugh, still a prisoner in tn
inner office The poor fellow had beel
roughly handled and before he wa
free tainted sew eral times from the los
of blood He was still unconscion
when the train stopped few minute
later with a surgeon and the assistanc
promi sed on board They brought tn
good news of the capture of the trai
robbers, br. Hugh was too weak I
pay much attention to the conversatio
that night
Hell be all right by morning,
said the doctor, confidently, but h
was mistaken, for the next day foun
the poor fellow tossing uneasily in
high fever Day after day and nigh
after night Frank REYNOLDS RENAME