The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-02-08

meaning of thisl''
She smiled, displaying her white teeth
''The meaning of whatf" she asked in
the quietest manner possible.
jumped from my chair.
"Of whatY' shouted. "Of telling
me that the express had jumped the
track--that your husband and child
were dead, That's what, madam"
She laughed softly.
THAT was a ruse to get you to leave
the station" she replied. You are such
home body that couldn't get you to
go out In the storm unless resorted to
n trick But you came near defeating
my purpose, after all. You turned that
switch back in its proper place just in
the nick of time"
Yes, and you turned 1t wrong in the
first place, didn't your"
Eyes, did"
''You she fiendr' cried as | gazed on
her in utter adherence.
Don't call me hard names. II makes
me think that you don't appreciate my
company, and I'm so sensitive!'
"Do You know what would have hap
pened if | had not turned that switch
into its proper positionI
Another light laugh.
"Oh, yes, know" said she
II don't think you do"
you 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. had no grudge
against you and should have preferred
to have the train wrecked near the cross
ing, but as that couldn't be | thought
I'd throw her off near the switch. But
you saved her and came near baking
my plans. That stupid guard, who i'm
agines himself so clever, arranged every
thing so nicely that he will be surprised
tomorrow when you tell him the whole
story"
"Are you crazy?" asked.
"No, my dear. never was saner than
am at this momentr
"Pray what are you driving at then,
I'd like to know"
~ will enlighten you. You see that
little parcel on the table. which your
friend the guard let you keep for him?'
laid my hand on the parcel and gave
her sinister look.
"Well, what of itT'' asked.
at contains n sum of money anywhere
between ca, 200 and 100000"
"Indeedy' said contemptuously.
Eyes. II 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 concluded to play double
game and get the whole treasure for
myself. For that purpose 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."
She made one step toward the desk
but leaped toward it and grasped the
parcel in both hands.
"NeverI" shouted. This goes into
the safe, and warn You to get out be-
fore pitch you out"
"Ha, ha, ha, har' she laughed deri-
sively; "what pluck! 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 a 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.
"You needn't be frightened" !" continued
my strange visitor the same easy
tones. II don't care to commit murder
if can help it, but don't drive me to
desperation"
At this recovered my self possession
and began to think of way to get near
enough to grapple with this desperate
villain. In such an encounter / knew
could easily handle him. A sudden,
heavy blast of wind, followed by blind
ing flash of lightning, fairly stunned us
for moment
THAT was terrible FASH, said, no
ticing that my companion slightly paled.
"You are not afraid Of thunder. are
your
He recovered himself in moment.
Afraid? No, you idiotT he replied
But give me that money, or III send a
bullet through your head"
Zone momentr cried.
mot a.
The sentence was never finished. There
was 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 Il
confused murmur Of strange noises
and then blank
When awoke to consciousness. day
light was just breaking in the east. The
sky was clear as ON summer morning,