The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-27
FORTY-SIX MINUTES.
WITH DEATH.
BY the Author of IAN Occult Epl-
sode," AS by Fire" Etc.


Ieaders-reached state where satisfactory
settlement seemed impossible. The men
had expected to be out a week, or ten
days at the most but nearly two months
had elapsed, and their position was almost
desperate. Several Populations had wait
ed on old Mr.. Vice. the proprietor, but
had been invariably referred back to the
manager. with the understanding that he
had full authority to deal with them
The manager. Shotwell, young man
OF intelligent sympathies, from the hrst
had been willing. even eager, TO discuss
the mems grievances and help them 10 an
understanding. But when he found that
the leaders. to whom the men hd IN
trusted their cause, not only were DIS
posed 10 take advantage OF his justice
but were seeking their own ENDS at the
expense Of the men. he suddenly changed
his attitude. and refused TO listen TO any
proposals other than absolute surrender.
He gave the three leaders 10 understand
IN the plainest language that under no
consideration would he tolerate thelf
presence I'm the shops again.
The result OF this understanding ana
the contemptuous way I'm which the man
ager had expressed his opinion OF thN
leaders and their scheming reused these
men from sullen spite 20 hatred. They
could not keep the men out or get naek
Themselves unless-well. unless Shotwell
changed his mind. and they knew him 100
we'll 10 hope for that
Shotwell's obstinacy had surprised even
old Mr.. Vice, who had known him from
bovhood-known him so well, in fact that
no had sanctioned the young mans en-.
|
was possibly the thought OF n future part
nership that made him so determined TO
stand to his guns now. and show the
old man and his sweetheart that he was
capable Of holding the reins.
Even Dorothys lover hardly understood
| her She had strange ideas Of soul COM
munion' that made the matter-of-fact
young man gasp; and she had an uncanny
| knack OF demonstrating the proof OF her
beliefs by reading his unspoken thoughts
with an accuracy that. TO a less healthy.
wholesome young fellow. might have been
] embarrassing But withal she was 30 wo-
manly and tender and her fancies so
pretty, that gradually he grew used to
them, and found himself often lingering
over them and almost wishing they could
be true.
To one OF these fancies he had readily
yielded: each evening both sat wherever
| they might be i'm silence for a little time.
and let their thoughts go out freely 10
each other. Soul talks" Dorothy called
them: and. whatever they were. the re-
suit was that his love for the girl grew
more tender and he knew that in some
subtle manner he was coming to under
| stand her better and better each day.
These times had been inexpressily dear
to him Of late. They were his moments
of absolute rest from the worry OF the
strike. and he always felt his brain re-
| freshed, and afterwards WAS better able
to cope with his growing difficulties
The pulse OF the strike was gro wing few
erish. and night after night Shotwell had
slept al the office. fearing some kind or
attack on the premises. BY the end OF
the week worry and lack Of sleep had
told heavily upon him. and as he sat
smoking in the mysterious shadows OF the
early evening he determined hat this
must be his last night alone; he would
get a Waterman TO aid him. Ills Hot ghts
grew vague and mixed: mis- pipe fell TO
the floor and made him jump. then his
eyes closed for a moment. opened slug
gishly. dropped again. and he was fast
asleep.
| with a start and a fearful sense 81 OPP
preston he awoke. struggling wildly in
his char-tried to cry out. and realized
that he was tied down. A cloth was
wound tightly over his mouth, while the
room was filled with a subtle. slcky odor
Of chloroform He heard a sneering laugh
behind his chair, and-"Weli Yer took a
purity good nap that time. didn't yer?'
| There was an answering grOwl from an
other throat, and the two men came round
| I'm front. both mufied I'm heavy coats. and
pieces OF cloth covering the upper half
of their faces. one Of them carried a
/ small black box somewhat gingerly 10 the
desk and set il down in front Of Shotwell.
He turned a little brass key I'm It, and hid
den machinery began 10 tick-tack, tick
tack. like a clock He twisted the box
round and Shotwell saw a small dial,
with the hands pointing 10 $3.50 O'Clock.
! one OF the men attached one end Of q
string TO a lever on the box. and with
| the greatest precautiOn tied the other
end 10 Arthur's left wrist: then fixed an
other string to the same lever. and 10 the
other wrist
| Now. sec here. Mr.. Shotwen you've
got Just forty-six minutes. and then that
thing goes of. and God have mercy on
your soul. II We should want the thing 10
go quicker. Just struggle hard. and If we
manage TO pull either Of them strings,
we'll I guess it'll oblige ye."
NOW. Bill. we've got no time TO waste.
'iere's the keys; you go for the safe and
| III fix the desk"
Inside OF fifteen minutes ShotwelP 8
guests had gone. leaving little trace Of
their visit except faint odor Of chloro-
form, and that strengthening black box.
j tf.Ir -. l.Iy oh
The whole thing had happened so sud
denly. and his brain was so heavy with
the drug. that the men were gone before
he fully realized the horror OF his posi-
| ton. As il dawned on him he could not
| believe il was true: It was some terrible
nightmare. He strove 10 shake himself
but the tightening Of the strings on his
wrists and a half jar I'm the tones Of that
ceaseless tick-tack brought him back 70
| his senses with a chill Of horror. He
| elared terror-stricken ar the little clock
that was ticking of the moments Of his
nfe-a second each time A few more
minutes and then-he broke out into a
cold sweat: All unmanning fear OF this
unknown. cruel thing crept over him, and
for a while he sat- huddled In AFFECT ter
ror; then slowly the soul Of the mar
steadied itself; he closed his eyes to pray
and the word that came was Dorothy
| With a fierce mental effort he pulled 10
gether his shaken faculties for her sake
For her he would die like a man. Per
haps she would know he had been nc
coward.
Tlck-tack tIck-tack, twenty minutes pas
ten. All it was time TO sit and talk "a
| "Dorrie." Well, he would do it-would
| give to her those last twenty minutes.