The Portland daily press., 1893-02-15

"Don't call me hard names. IL makes
me think that you don't appreciate my
company, and I'm so sensitiveP'
''Do you know what would have hap
pened if 1 had not turned that switch
into its proper positionP'
Another light laugh.
"Oh, yes, know" said she.
81 don't think you do"
'EYou want to draw me out, l see.
Man, if you hadn't righted that switch
dozen or more mortals would have
been hurled into eternity, and you would
be tried for murder. I had no grudge
against you and should have preferred
to have the train wrecked near the cross
ing, but as that couldn't be I thought
I'd throw her off near the switch. But
you saved her and came near baking
nv plans. That stupid guard, who i'm
AGNES himself 80 clever, arranged every
thing SO nicely that he will be surprised
tomorrow when you tell him the whole
story"
care you crazy?" asked.
"No, my dear. never was saner than
I am at this moment!'
'.Pray what are you driving at then,
I'd like to know"
81 will enlighten you. You see that
little parcel on the table, which your
friend the guard let you keep for hirnF'
laid my hand on the parcel and gave
her sinister look.
"Well, what of it?' asked.
'sIt contains sum of money anywhere
between $4,000 and 100000"
'Indeed?" I said CONTEMPORARY.
eyes. It was to be sent to Edinburgh
today, and as two or three of us got
wind Of the affair we concluded to stop
it. By some strange mistake on our
part the guard heard of our little plan
at the other end Of the road, and SO to
balk us he left it here with you. At the
same time I concluded to play double
game and get the whole treasure for
myself. For that purpose I called you
out and turned the switch in order to
wreck the train and SO get hold OF the
money. You interfered and saved the
train, but not the parcel. 1t is now in
your hands, and will ask you to hand
it over without demur.a
She made one step toward the desk,
but I leaped toward it and grasped the
parcel in both hands.
"Neverl" I shouted. s"This goes into
the safe, and warn you to get out be-
fore I pitch you out"
'sHa, ha, Ma, hap she laughed deri-
sively; 'swhat pluckl I didn't think you
would make such fight over mere
money. But this will bring you to your
Senses"
Throwing back the cloak which en-
veloped her small form, she stood before
me wiry looking man, with piercing
dark eyes, In the right hand jeweled
pistol glistened in the lamp light, and
the hand that held it was as cool and
steady as possible. glanced into the
small barrel of the pretty plaything and
shuddered.
ssYou needn't be frightened, continued
my strange visitor in the same easy
tones. 81 don't care to commit murder
if I can help it, but don't drive me to
desperation"
At this I recovered my self possession
and began to think of q way to get near
enough to grapple with this desperate
villain. In such an encounter I knew [
could easily handle him. A sudden,
heavy blast of wind, followed by a blind
ing flash Of lightning, fairly stunned us
for moment.
s'That was terrible flash" I said, no.
ticing that my companion slightly paled
'sYou are not afraid of thunder, are
youi"
He recovered himself in moment.
ssAfraid? No, you idiot!' he replied
'sBut give me that money, or I'll send a
bullet through your head"
zone moment!" cried.
The sentence was never finished. There
was a peal of thunder that seemed to
rend the heavens in twain, and then a
brilliant streak of fire flashed between
us. felt the building tremble, heard b
confused murmur of strange noises
and then blank.
When I awoke to consciousness, day
light was just breaking in the east. The
sky was clear as on summer morning,
and the fields and woods were vocal with
the songs of birds. But in my Office
everything was changed. At my feet
lay the stranger Of the previous night,
with little dark spot near his left
temple. The heavy timbers of the
station were burned and cracked, and
nv papers were scattered all about. The
work of the thunderbolt had been effect
i've. but on the table lay the money un-
touched.
When the guard came, I handed him
the property. The stranger was identi-
fed as notorious thief, and was duly
rewarded by the company for my work
in saving the money. But since that ter
rible shock thunderstorm has been to
me the most undesirable thing on the
face of this earth.-True Flag.
Handwriting In the Morning.
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