The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-03-27


Judged. Hear what have to sayi The
society to which l belong has decreed
the Immediate doom of an authorita-
tive rule, and with that object has dis
patched emissaries far and wide to car
nv out it's behests. A big blow is shortly
to be struck, and there is not country
in the whole of Europe which will es-
cape it. Russia, Germany, Austria.
France, all are condemned. and even
England, the vaunted home of the free,
is not to be exempt. At the present
moment, there are 90 picked men,
armed with the most deadly bombs, in
London itself, awaiting the signal to
commence. One more worker is re-
quired, and am commissioned to find
some one to supply the want. have
done SO, and my choice falls upon you'll"
1 started in my seat at these words,
uttered in fiercely earnest tone. He
concluded:
"You, yes, you must become one OF
US; must enroll yourself under the ban
ner of emancipation, and strike blow
for liberty!"
''And what If refuse p inquired, as
quietly as my excitement would allow.
He leaned, forward and Missed. rather
en.snoke.p my ear
you will not do this, then You
yourself IRE doomed! Mark me, un-
less you join ouT ranks you will never
leave this train alivei"
'Who will prevent me?" l asked,
again making vain endeavor to rise.
81 will" he shouted, fiercely.
81 defy you'll" exclaimed, with
irmnes l did not really feel, thinking
that a determined attitude might posi-
bly, overawe him, for assassins are in
yariably towards. / was mistaken in
my man, however, for on hearing my
words he put his hand under the cloak
that enveloped him and drew forth q
poniard, the sharp-pointed edge of
which he felt critically with the tip OF
his finger.
81 will give you one minute in which
to consider your decision" he said
"and if at the end of that time you re
main obdurate, then this blade goes
straightway through your hearth"
In order, suppose, to amuse himself
Turing the interval he pricked several
holes with the point of the instrument
In his arm just above the wrist, from
each of which the blood squirted in
small, purple jets, showing how sharp
was the weapons edge. In little while
he said:
'TheRime is up. What say you now"
"What 1 said BEFORE" replied. '@Dc
your worst!"
Instantly he sprang to his feet and
clutched me by the throat.
Coward" l cried, half choking, as
was, and struggling in his iron grasp.
The epithet seemed to madden him
for his face became livid with sudder
rage, his eyes glared wildly and hi.
breath came in thick and hurried gasps
"You shall never say that again!" he
shouted, tightening his hold until the
blood swelled up in my face and ny
eyes seemed ready to burst from Their
sockets.
With the energy of despair l made
one final attempt to recover my power
of action, and felt that l was succeed
ing. The effect of the potion was evi-
IDENTIFY working off, and with use re.
turning to my limbs l realized that
now was my time. Concentrating all
the strength had into one tremendous
effort, l managed to free myself from
his grip and Immediately closed with
him. We struggled violently together
for a few seconds. neither gaining the
mastery, and then l stumbled and we
both fell to the ground, he uppermost
1t seemed that my hour was come, for
in his hand he held the deadly weapon.
AS 1 saw the cleaning blade descend i'll
one swift stroke 1 raised my voice and
shouted