The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-10-22

ulSCONeTcu tudt ocVtTui Tdiio uuu uocu
torn from the track.
This fearful sight chilled his blood.
and he stood almost paralyzed for
moment Then he thought OF the
train. loaded with human souls that
was even then rushing rapidly toward
its doom. and wheeling round he
dashed toward the depot
He had scarcely traversed twenty
steps however. before he felt heavy
hand come down on his shoulder.
.Haitp came gruff voice. lone
step further. and you die!'
Ned felt the cold muzzle OF re-
volver come In contact with his ear
and he stopped.
so" the voice continued. sheer
ingly Thought ye'd spite our pros
poets, did YEP"
For Gods sake" begged Ned,
'let me go and save the precious
lives you have put in jeopardy
'.Nice move that'd be for us"
chuckled the wrecker .after all our
work and plans"
''But think man. what you are do
ing"
Done thought; and the end OF the
thing Is that we're goin to have q
pull ut pile OF cash now on the train
you speak Of"
Suddenly. probably without know
ing it the hand holding the pistol
dropped q few inches and the hand
on Ned's shoulder loosened its grasp;
then wild desire to reach his Office
flashed across tho operators mind,
and cllnching his teeth he shook him
self loose from his captor and fed in
tho direction Of the depot
He had gone several yards before,
the man realized his escape. then
deep curse broke out on the evening
air and the train wreclSer started in
pursuit.
Ned glanced back and in place Of
one he saw several forms rushing
after him.
Don't shoot" he heard one OF
them say; lit m ght arouse some one;
besides we can reach the Office before
he can send a warning message"
Poor Ned's heart sank rs he heard
this; he knew too well that they would
dash in on him before he could even
get response from ono OF the Offices
above him; but he madly dashed into
his Office and attempted to lock the
door.
But alas for once he was too ex-
cited. and before his trembling fingers
could place the key into the lock the
entire crowd was on him.
sit down. now" painted one of
them. and behave"
In despair Ned dropped into chair
with his back to the curtains and
buried his face in his hands.
After a hurried consultation the
gang OF wreckers left two OF their
members to guard Ned, while the rest
fastened to demolish the track.
Suddenly the tick OF the instrument
caused him to raise his head. 1t was
Singleton. the second station from
Pineville. reporting the arrival and
departure OF No S3.
Great drops o: perspiration stood
out on Ned's face and he felt as IL his
heart would burst before this trial
was over Only one more station to
pass, and then the hopes Of saving
the train would be over.
He sat with straining ears TO catch |
the sound OF Eilaville the next sta
ton to his. reporting the train. for
then he knew the end had come. and |
his suspense would cease.
His eyes roamed about the room |
and rested on the mirror he had |
laughed with his wife, about so |
much.
Suddenly he saw in the reflection,
the curtains at his back part and dis
close the happy smiling face of his
wife.
Then his mind grew clearer as he |
realized that she was in danger. and |
the tapping OF his nervous fingers on
his chair changed to telegraphic
signals:
Step back quick. and listenr' the
clear taps spoke out and to his joy
she quietly obeyed. and the curtains
fluttered softly back to their places;
then he went on:
Hurry homo and wire Ellaville to
stop S3; track torn up here and gang
of wreckers waiting to rob it; send
help on engine; be quick; am under
cover OF pistol"
After he had given the instructions
to his wife Ned listened attentively
to catch the sound OF her departure
but SO soft was her tread that he
could not decide whether she had
gone out or not; this added more
fear to his already overstrained
system. and he was almost in the act
of springing on his captors. although
1t was certain death. when he heard
the instrument begin to tick with re-
newed vigor; to add to his Joy he
recognized the delicate. firm touch OF
his wife and in the steady click he
heard the call for Ellaville.
He was almost in the act OF giving
up all hope when there came a re-
Spouse from the station called; then
Ned heard the sweetest music he had
ever listened to; the wires carried
these words;
stop 83-rails torn from track
near here and gang waiting to rob
the wreck; send engine with armed
force quick; agent in great danger!"
Ellaville gave a startled exclama-
ton and replied: