Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-01-14

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the men. robbed of the last hope of es-
cape. the shadow of the criminal cell
already upon them, came into my mind
as we rushed past Willesden, and look
ing backward for a moment in the NJ
full light | saw the fateful piece Oh pa
per hutter from the detectives hand.
The officials would understand the
significance of that scrubbed message,
and unless Providence miraculously IN
terposed the man was doomed. 10
leave the train as it flew through the
night at the rate of fifty miles an hour
was impossible. One man had done so
once. but his body was found mangled
beyond recognition lying on the track
in the morning. There was no escape,
and with such passing thoughts l DIS
missed the matter and concentrated my
attention on the work in hand.
Suddenly l was startled by an eJacu-
lation of horror from my mate.
Look. Benz he shouted, his eyes
starting out from his head as he gazed
into the dim light which surrounded
the train like haze, the fool will Kill
himself.
turned, and though ! pride myself
on my steely nerves, the sight that met
my ewes sent a cold thrill down my back
aud made me lean against the brake
for support.
The man had swung himself out Of
the end Of the carriage and was en-
deavoring TO work his way. in face OF
the terrific back draught, towards us.
Every moment | expected to see him
torn from his precarious hold and dash
ed to pieces on the lines, but with the
tenacity of a leech he chung TO the han
die Of the door while he leaned forward
to grasp some new support. Suddenly
a distant roar burst on cur terrified
ears. My mate turned, his face as
white as milk, and the perspiration
standing on his forehead.
"Merciful powers he screamed in
a harsh .discOTdant voice, the up mail.
Heaven have mercy on him" and he
hid his face in his hands, as with a
deafening shrek we flew toward each
other and crashed past in the darkness,
but above the din | fancied l heard the
wild scream of terror as the wretched
man realized his horrible peril. It was
a full minute before | could turn my
throbbing head behind.
a harsh. discorant voice. the up mall
With a feeling of sickness that was
new to me l peered through the glass.
Thank God" I calculated fervently,
as the blood rushed through the veins
once more. There. with his body press
ed fat against the oscillating surface,
still stood the man who had been so
near to an awful death. Slowly he
moved his head in our direction and
with an expression Of grim resolution
he pulled himself together. With bated
breath we wondered what he would
do next. As far as we could see his
way was stopped, but. undeterred, he
steadied himself and reaching forward,
felt around the corner OF the coach
Unexpectedly his hand encountered
one of the steps by which the men
mount to the roof. and though we could
not see his face distinctlY-we fancied
he set his lips in a terrible smile Of &C
complished purpose, as he clutched 1t
and with desperate effort pulled him
self to the end of the footboard and
round into comparative safety on TO the
couplings between the tender and the
coach.
BY Jove," Bill exclaimed, when at
last, the tension removed from his
nerves. he could speak. He's a good
plucked un. an no mistake. But
what's his game, I WONDER
The mailman is coming on the en-
CINE l burst out eXcitedly, divining
his intention as l saw his head appear
for a brief instant above the coal.
Anyhow we can't see him commit
suicide without raising a hand TO stop
him" he returned, and began TO scram-
/ bic over the coal, where l saw him
/ stoop down and grasp the man, drag
/ ging him with an almost superhuman
/ effort on TO the tender, where he sank
| down utterly exhausted.
Coming forward my mate threw open
/ the stoke hole with the intention OF
replenishing the fire and the rudy
I glow from the raging furnace within
, lit up the tender from end TO end.
Good heavens! | calculated, as my
I eyes met the haggard face Of the res
cued delinquent. Ernest Devali' and
my nerveless hand fell from the polish
ed lever
Ben" he gasped wonderingly. his wild
eyes encountering mine rs he struggled
/ toward US.
Ny lips refused to frame the questions
that tumultously arose TO them any my
mate silently handed me his can.
Take a drink" he said, CURLY, "ant
! pull yourself together"
I complied readily. The cool draugh
I brought me round somewhat and resum
ed control of the engine.
Now. Mr. Deval.' I shouted, holly
perhaps you will be good enough TO ex
plain the meaning Of the little gam
you've been playing tonight, but let M
tell you. if you think you've furtheret
your chances of escape. you're wrong"
Yes. mate" Bill sternly remarked
you haven't done lot for yourself b!
coming here"
BEN he at last jerked forth, gasp
! ing for breath his bloodshot eyes wander
ing round the cab and into the darkness:
as we flew along. Ben, I've been TOOL