The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1896-08-14

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Annie hnrried along the narrow rath-
way-the very one on which she had
met Mr. Criswold when he spoke to her
about the consequences of being caught
under the shower of wheat. Below,
some 20 feet, was another line Of planls
leading past the bins, into which, level
with tie planlss doors opened. These
were for convenience in inspecting the
condition Of the grain.
On this platform, his body bent as he
peercd into the vast bin at his side, was
the superintendent. Sherecognized his
hight gray coat and russell shoes. She
pushed On, intending when she had
| 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.
lie was evidently scenting the grain for
a suspicion Of molGness.
Suddenly, before she was within hall
ing Distance, though she was not far
from a position directly above the SUI
perintcndent, she saw a black form
shoot out from behind heavy upright
timber direqtly behind him. The
stranger snealsed toward the door of
the bin, into which part of his intended
victims body sti4 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 !.
Tho -4,,o >, c.or. IaI 1oo,,s,1 ,,,,r,,,
superintendent, and was attempting to
throw min into the bin; but Mr. Girls
void fought bravely for his life. Once,
twice he was almost a victor, but his
assailant had him at a disadvantage
Already his head and shoulders were
hanging over the dark abyss into which
a carload of yellow wheat had sunk anC
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 sidewise toward !
the rope which moved the lever.
Like a flash there came upon her for
the first time a realization what a ter
ribla deed was intended The body Of
the superintcndent, hurled into the bin,
would be covered with the flood of grain.
and his fate would be unknown for days,
and perhaps for weeks and months.
Tt was but a second row before the
end would come. Already tic assailaat
had rushed OFF the superiEtcndent's
handr, and she saw body and limbs dis
appear through the narrow door. She
could rot hear it fall on the soft mass
OF grain beneath, but she knew it was
there.
Tie assassin tugged at the dsor. he
had nctAing to do now but TO close and
fasten it and pun 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 s2raag to her feet and rGzed
4 moment helplessly about her. Then
there met her glance the long lever
reaching out over the bin. II It only
could be held! If the trap-door were
Kept closed it would keep bacl, the
grain, and the superintendent might be
saved.
Tho stranger below had nearly closed
he thick door. In a moment he would
pull the slender rope.
She looked at the lever. A weight on
he end over the bin would prevent the
rap's moving; there was but ore way
o accomplish it-she must hold it her
elf
On hands and knees she climbed to the
dye Of the bin; then, reaching far on
N tie roic which moved the door, she
ooi1 tirm grasp. A little trenble told
Ter that the door had been closed by
he stranger, and she fearlessly swung
if!
The slender pole bent and swaycd :
nth her weight, and she shuddcred lest
he lever should still work If Il d;d !,
he would he swept down into tho abyss ).
yer which she hung hQlplcssly, and =
he stream Of grain pouring upon hc1
-ould Elcan death to her as well as to =,
he superintendent. r
Her snail, thin arms and hands were
'eal,. Already the muscles Of her
-r:sts were aching with the strain
Twtcb! went the lever. The assassin II
as jerking the rope. Again and agaip Fl
le felt the jerk, but still the little pole
ID not rise with her enough to loosen 81
le trGn-door. Although the wLcle az W
ir had occupied but moment, it T
erred 10 have been hours. In an in
ant lcrgcr she must loosen her hold,
I'd then
The man was evidently growing i'm NJ
ltient, and she felt jerk of unusual :
'wer. There followed a cracking %
und; TIC lever broke, and she was =,
ling through the darkness, the broken sb
Gee ofthe lever still in her hands.
G esoor, = e, eba oIi.,oJ .,v,-i =. 49, 81.