The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-01-09

the approaching roar OF the express
coming down behind us. We were
travelling a good forty miles an hour
ut the time, and the other train began
to pass ours very slowly. Presently
the express engine was alongside ours,
and the driver sang out CHEEKY
"What 10! mate, as the two "cebs"
came together. Creeping gradually
past us, the carriages of the boat train
became visible. and as l glanced at
them I could ditinguish the rassen-
gers plainly. Five coaches had al
ready passed us, when l stood we'll On
the lest-hand side of the foot-plate,
furthest from the other train, to al
low ny fircmen TO perform his office.
At this moment my engine put on q
little spurt, and the two trains were
running almost exactly at tho same
pace, the other just slightly gaining.
happened to glance over nay shcal-
der, when, to my establishment, | saw
a man in the other train deliberately
opening the door Of his compartment.
which was just drawing opposite to
the ''cab' of my engine. Before |
could recover from my surprise he had
stepped out on the footboard Of the
carriage, and in another second he
sprang upon the foot-plate OF my en-
CINE, clutcbing at the rail on the cab,
while the door of the carriage he had
left, obeving the motion of the train,
shut with q slam.
In an agony Of terror, my mate and
| seized him and dragged him into a
position of safety, while the other
train spurted forward and passed us.
For moment or two neither of us
spoke. I was the first to recover my
presence OF mind, and the habit OF
duty mastered my curiosity for the in
slant.
"Hold on here" I shouted, Jim,
fire her up, man; wait till VIC get
through Woking-then we'll see to
him. Steady, sir! Keep over in that
corner, please, and thank Providence
you're not dead man."
"Mad, I should think" said my
fireman, as he set to work again shov.
cling on the Goals, while I rivetcd my
attention to the mass of red and green
lights we were ever and anon np.
proaching and passing.
At Hampton Court Junction we were
switched on to the ''fast" line, follow
ing the boat.expresS by about six
minutes, and in half m hour or so we
were through Woking, and then I
turned to the stranger. He was q
young man. clean shaven. and we'll
dressed; deadly pale and trembling,
clutching hard at the support. The
foot plat bit shaky to novice.
"Are you mad, sir? DO you know
you've had fearful escape? What,
in the name OF all that's wonderful,
do you mean by it,"
"N-no; I'm not mad. III was
forced to do it,"
"Forced to do it? Why, you were
alone in the carriage, as far as l could
see."
eyes, yes, I know that. But I was
desperate. III explain everything"
swat minute or two; I can't at
tend now. Tell me when we're
through Guildford.
How he started a3 we entered the
Guildford tunnel just beyond the
station! thought he'd fall at first,
and my mate had to hold on to him
for q minute. When we were clear of
the tunnel, I asked him for his ex-
planation.
81 wanted to escape, he said, "ana
it was the only way"
Escape? Who from? The police,
I suppose? Well, don't you think
you've done thct, my fr;end?"
"No, no, no! Not from the police.
I'm not q criminal. Listen, and I'll
tell you. I've got mixed up with a
terrible secret society-a SET Of people
composed Of tue very worst sort of
Anarchists OF several Nations.
It would be too long story to tell you
how / came to join it, but when once
among such people, there is no draw
ing back. We were pledged with the
most awful oaths to secrecy, and ter
rible penalties were ordained for those
who proved traitors. I would have
given anything to set myself free, but
1t was impossible.
"Well, ono evening last week We
held meeting to determine tho per-
Torrance OF IN awful act. I can't tell
you exactly the truth, but will go so
far as to say it was the ASSASSINATION
as O certain great parsonage on the
Continent. We drew lots, in order
that the assassin might be chosen. The
lot fell upon me. In vain begged to
be excused, the others were relentless,
and the president said to me-:
"'George FELTON,, you have sworn
obedience, and obey you must. The
lot has fallen upon you, and you must
perform the deed. If you refuse, or
If Won even hesitate. there is ONLY ono