Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-03-28

addressing me. 1.-THE potion imbibed
from my flask in a special decoction
| which will prevent action on your part
for some time to come. So sit still and
| listen! You know, doubtless, what this
is" he continued, pointing to the box.
which he had placed on the seat beside
him, land most likely yod guess what
I am at the same time. In case you do
not, will tell you at once that / am one
of that noble band who have for their
object in life the emancipation of man
kind from the tyranny of authority"
sIn other words, you are nihilist-a
dynamitard ?'' suggested.
use those terms if you like" he re-
piled. There is nothing in a name.
Acts are the things whereby men are
| judged. Hear what have to say! The
society to which belong has decreed
the immediate doom of an authorita-
tive rule, and with that object has dis
| patched emissaries far and wide to car
~ tits 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 I am commissioned to find
some one to supply the want. I have
done so, and my choice falls upon you'll"
/ started in my seat at these words,
uttered in a fercely earnest tone. He
concluded:
''You, yes, you must become one OF
US; must enroll yourself under the ban
ner of emancipation, and strike q blow
for iberty!"
''And what if I refused" inquired, as
quietly as my excitement would allow.
He leaned forward, and Kissed rather
| then spoke in my ear:
IF you will not do this, then you
yourself are doomed! Mark me, IN
less you join our ranks you will never
leave this train alive!"
"Who will prevent me?" I asked,
again making a vain endeavor to rise.
II will" he shouted, fercely.
81 defy you!" exclaimed, with Il
firmnes I did not really feel, thinking
that determined attitude might posi-
bly, overawe him, for assassins are in
variably towards. I was mistaken in
my man, however, for on hearing my
words he put his hand under the cloak
that enveloped him and drew forth
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 heart!"
In order, / suppose, to amuse himself
during 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:
''The time is up. What say you now %
"What said BEFORE replied. "Do
your worst!"
Instantly he sprang to his feet and
clutched me by the throat
Coward" / cried, half choking, as
was, and struggling in his iron grasp.
The epithet seemed to madden him,
for his face became livid with sudden
rage, his eyes glared wildly and his
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 my
eyes seemed ready to burst from their
sockets.
With the energy of despair I made
one final attempt to recover my power
of action, and felt that was succeed
ing. The effect of the potion was evi.
IDENTIFY working off, and with use re-
turning to my limbs / realized that
| now was my time. Concentrating all
the strength had into one tremendous
effort, | managed to free myself from
his grip and Immediately closed with
him. We struggled violently together
for o few seconds. neither gaining the
mastery, and then / stumbled and we
both fell to the ground, he uppermost
It seemed that my hour was come, for
in his hand he held the deadly weapon.
| AS saw the cleaning blade descend III
one swift stroke I raised my voice and
shouted
Tickets, please! All tickets ready"
1t was the summons of the collector.
/ rubbed my eyes and looked around
There was my fellow traveller sitting
quietly on the seat opposite, regarding
| me with an amused expression on his
| face.
Been sleeping?" he queried, as my
| gaze caught his.
Il suppose l have" was my hazy re-
ply.
"And dreaming, too" he added, with
a smile; ''unpleasantly, ! should guess,
| by your manner