Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-07-25

she is deaf and dumb. We're IN
luck for once"
Nellie shut her eyes and listened
somehow she could hear much
better with her eyes shut! They
talked cautiously at first, then loud
er, and every word was heard and
remembered. 1t was a story of
crime that they told-a common
story enough, but one which takes
a different meaning when it con-
Germs ourselves.
Nellie grew faint and bewildered
as she heard it 80 coolly discussed.
Then she realized the danger that
she, as we'll as others, were in, and
tried to form a plan to prevent it.
"Oh, what can | do?" she
thought, with an inward prayer for
help. "God help them all-and
me-"
She thought of her idolized moth
er whom she was never to see on
earth, and wondered if she should
find and know her in the beyond.
Then, as she afterwards said, her
nerves grew as calm and rigid as
steel, and her mind was clear and
active. She reasoned like a strang-
er, with no thought of her own in
dividuality.
Her fellow-travelers were train
wreckers, and, at given point, not
an hours ride ahead, confederates
were stationed, and the track was
blocked.
These train-wreckers could easily
leave the train at the last station
before that lonely stretch of road.
and as to the rest-well, human
life counted as nothing to them,
when there was twenty thousand
dollars in the express car!
There are plenty of people like
them in this world, who lack the
courage to work out their villiany
therefore the world honors them.
When the conductor entered, the
two men were apparently nodding,
and unmindful of anything except
their own comfort.
Nellie drew her tablet and wrote
with desperate haste: Il must see
you alone. Ask no questions, but
do be quick"
He stared at her in amazement. She
arose and clutched his arm tightly,
just as The train began to slow at
the station, and, not needing his
puzzled face, led him from the car
to the waiting-room in the little
depot.
His amazement speedily changed
to admiration, as she rapidly and
clearly told her story. He grasped
the situation at once.
Enter the forward car" he said,
hurriedly. II will see you soon,
Do not 60 back where those men
are--they will have company enough
soon"
The train dashed on again through
the darkness.
All of Nellie's courage had gone
with the knowledge that another
was ready to act, and she waited in
trembling silence.
Once the conductor passed through
the car hastily, giving her reas-
surfing nod, but the last station was
nearly reached before she heard any
commotion in the rear car. Then
she heard shouts and curses, and g
pistol shot was followed by an ON.
inous stiffness. Soon a stout man
and slight one appeared upon the
platform surrounded by gesticulat-
ing officers.
A telegram was sent ahead, and
the train waited while party OF
armed men went along the track
to the fatal spot. They were sue
cessful, and the other wreckers weae
captured--every one---and marched
back to the station in triumph.
| When the train started on again
the conductor occupied the vacant
seat beside Nellie, and she did not
appear to be frightened in the
least. Indeed, there was "a satisfied,
relieved look upon her anxious face,
and she seemed well pleased to have
him there.
II imagined you deaf and dumb.
Strange, wasn't it, Miss"
UyJ:ll;o o,.,,o.od Noll;o ,,,;tL n