Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-08-13

reered into the vast bin at his side, was
the SUPERINTENDENT She recognized his
hight gray coat and russell shoes. She
pushed on, intending when she bad
come him to call and warn him OF pos
sible danger. The rope with which he
had moved the lever to loosen the con-
tents Of the last car hung at his side'
and was still swinging from his touch.
He was evidently scenting the grain for
q suspicion Of moldiness.
Suddenly, before she was within hall
ing distance, though she was not far
from position directly above the su-
perintendent, she saw q black form
shoot out from behind heavy upright |
timber directly behind him. The
stranger sneaked toward the door OF
the bin, into which part of his intended
victims body still protruded.
The lame girls heart almost stood
still with fright She sank to the mar
row platform. and crouching there In
the upper darkness, watched helplessly
the struggle going on below.
The stranger had leaped upon the
superintendent, and was attempting to
throw him into the bin; but Mr. Girls
void fought bravely for his life. Once
twice he was almost victor, but his
assailant had him at a disadvantage
Already his head and shoulders were
hanging over the dark abyss intowhich
n carload of yellow wheat had sunk and
made no impression on the great space
Chunk! came sound above her head.
Annie realized with a shudder that an
other car had been brought into posi-
ton over the trap-door, and was ready
to be dumped.
The stranger below had almost over
come the superintendent, and she saw
the scoundrel glance sldewise toward
the rope which moved the lever,
Like fash there came upon her Tor
the first time realization what q ter
rible deed was intended. The body OF
the superintendent, hurled into the bin,
would be covered with the food ofgrain'
and his fate would be unknown for days,
and perhaps for weeks and months
II was but second now before the
end would come. Already the assailant
. had pushed off the superintendent
, hands, and she saw body and limbs dis
, appear through the narrow door. she
!. could not hear it full on the soft mass
. Of grain beneath, but she knew It was
a there.
The assassin tugged at the door. He
1 had nothing to do now but to close and
!. fasten It and pull the lever; and then
thousands Of bushels Of wheat would
bury the unfortunate man as firmly
!. and fatally as though the car above
!, should itself fall into the cavern.
\ Annie sprang to her feet and gazee
! moment helplessly about her, Ther
= there met her glance the long level
- !. reaching out over the bin. II " only
- could be heidi II the trap-door wer'
] kept closed II would keep back TN
!, ~ grain, and the superintendent mightb
Il saved.
Z" The stranger below had nearly close
the thick door. In a moment he wc'al
n pull the slender rope.
- She looked at the lever. A weight Q
:. the end over the bin would prevent N
y traps moving; there was but one wa
y, to accomplish it--she must hold IT me-
! self. !.
On hands and knees she climbed to tn
70 !! edge Of the bin; then, reaching far Q,
- - on the pole which moved the door, 81
'e took firm grasp. A little tremble toI
her that the door had been closed
- the stranger, and she fearlcssly SWIM
Oft!
an The slender pole bent and sway'
with her weight, and she shuddered le
u, the lever should still work. IL II al
'eu she would be swept down into the ably
'ie over which she hung helplessly, al
e'' the stream Of grain pouring upon h
would mean death to her as well as
NJ ~, the superintendent.
FAs Her small thin arms and hands we
all weak. Already the muscles OF h
ed wrists were aching with the strain
me Twitch! went the lever. The assass
red was Jerking the rope. Again and aga
'of she felt the jerk, but still the little p'
: did not rise with her enough to loos
all the trap-door. Although the whole
fair had occupied but moment,
sly seemed to have been hours. In an
Wis slant longer she must loosen her no
'ith and then
the The man was evidently growing
patient, and she felt a jerk OF unrs
Mr.. power There followed crack
i'm. sound; the lever broke, and she
'uld falling through the darkness, the broi
And piece OF the lever still In her hands.
on As soon as she realized anything !
Their she was sliding down an inclil
tect plane Of wheat, and mans voice, t
our, OF the superintendent, was saying sol
at thing to her
site Far above they could see the gle
nall Of the electric light streaming over
and edge Of the bin, with -four dust float
lice. In like notes in sunbeam.
The II saw him throw you in" sobbed
,ney child, IAN now they'll cover us bot
cted "No, they won't" answered the SUI
rob intendent. 1.-THE trainmen will hav
I'M fix the lover first, and they'll look ah
to see what's the matter"
tax. Presently the door through whicl
new had fallen was opened, and a lan'
few. was swung in, followed in a momen
the a trainman's head.
~ aJTelloi" called the man, whats