Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-12-17

salu Tlckem.
1T did, but you may slip up on this
game
NO l won't said Pickem in con-
6dent voice. The company will
never suspect me, for my veracity is
unquestioned by them; and even if
they should, Intend to arrange mat
ters so that they cant prove a thing
against either of us. Now this is
the way 1 will kill two birds at a
lick Harry Cotton, the night opera
tor, is my bitter rival for the hand of
the prettiest gal west of the Mississ-
ippi. He will be on duty tonight,
and will have two doors locked and
oolted between him and the outside.
We could easily batter these down
first, but that would be risky, for
although Cotton has but one arm, he
keeps six shooter by his side, is
full of grit and dead shot
How do you propose to act then?'
interrogated Bill.
"A large window faces the trac k, ,
said Pickem, I'back of this window
is the telegraph instrument table.
Opposite the window sits the opera
tor. This window is covered by q
thin curtain at night. Through the
curtain can be seen the outlines of
the operator as he sits by his instru-
ment. Do you catch on2"
i think l do, answered Bill, but
it's ticklish business; someone might
hear the report, then-then-'
Then what?'
why, said Bill, murder is seri GUS.
Couldn't we rig some other way2'
I'VE want no other way. III do
the job, you needn't
No. said Bill, 'but if we we're
caught my neck would stretch as well
yours
No danger of being caught. 1t is
good half mile from the depot to
town, and besides, we'll do the job
at ten o'clock, and about then every :
body will be at the church where
they have a Christmas tree. But il
you lack the sand I'll do the job
alone. You dare not squeal.'
Bill was stung by this remark and
said: Sand, I'll show you who has
sand. Lead on, I'm ready
very well,' said Pickem, 'let's be
tgoing. 1t is now nine and we must
go around by the ranch to get tools
which 1 forgot
The spell of horror which this talk
had thrown around Mary and held
hertz the spot was at last broken
and with a wildly beating heart she
turned and sped down the lane like q
frightened doe. Her duty was plain
She must warn her lover of his peril
She fed on past her pony for she
realized that she could make much
better time on foot On, on, she ran
|pausing only when compelled to for
want OF breath. At last she reached
the freezing waters of the Republi.
can, but did not stop. Into the icy
water she plunged and struggled to.
ward the opposite shore. Harry
Cotton was sitting by his instrument
listening to the sharp metallic click
of the sounder as the messages fash.
ed over the wires, when he wa.
startled by a hammering on the door
accompanied by the words, Harry
Harry He knew it was q woman's
voice but did not recognize the tone
Taking his six shooter IN his hand
and fully prepared for any treachery
he stepped to the outside door and
flung it open. A cry of CONSERVATION
and surprise escaped his lips as 4
shaft of light from the Office lamp fel
full upon the ice clad figure of his
affianced wife.
why, MaryP he calculated as be
drew her into the building and closed
and relocked the door, what brings
you here at such time and in such
4
a pllght2'
AS rapidly as her frightened and
exhausted condition would permit
Mary briefly related the plot which
she had overheard. For Gods sake
Harry, take the company's money apd
| fly, she cried.
For answer, Harry kissed her and
then pushing her into chair he said
cody, be brave, dear. We mus
Esave this money and outwit the
scoundrels. I'ne money is too heavy
for US to carry. If we leave they will
get it. Do as I bid you, darling, anc
the boys on the ranch shall have then
Christmas gold
Taking a mail sack, which was
partly full, he placed it upright il
the. chair by the instrument table
lover this he draped his coat, and or
top of this he placed small bundle
which was capped by his hat. HI
attached a string to the sack and ther
with Mary by his side he crouched in
the corner of the room to await devel
Iopments. He conjectured that the
dummy would thoroughly deceive the
robbers, and in this he was right.
They had not waited long when cracA
the sharp report of fre-arm dis
PEELED the stiffness of the frosty air
| The next instant a bullet crashed