The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-09-10

station. The rest'H be easy kissin' yer nand
How blamed close they kept everything, even from
their own clerk, till the last moment. If there's
dime there's million in gold in that there train. an
if we only manage the trick proper we's made men,.
There low growl of satisfaction, and the
greater part of the trooped out Immediately
Then the nlutfed pat-pat of horseshoes on the
grass-grown road outside leading from the dggings
and Il booted armed appeared in the little blurr
of light thrown by of the signal lamps Jem Potts
the porter now lying bound in the tiny waiting room
had lit just before being taken prisoner.
Right YOU are Pete-on time usual" said
Nebraska Ben gatly. How many have you got?'
Seven cap counting myself" answered the
other
"Thatu do Jest send couple to watch the Jag
gersvilIe road, an few more patrol the canyon
bridge Hold up anything you meet but don't fire
If possible The quieter every of this games
kept the better-theres too many vigilants knockfn
around You may slip on yourself to the gates where
the road crosses the line with some o these. Twill
be a good ambush for if she pulls UP at all it Will
be before passn the station an jest there II amt
likely. but we can't afford to take no risks
"-Au right cap. Wen make it lively for that
escort if they get curious. There's sure to be troops
along with the DUST"
Nebraska Ben nodded The man beckoned some
three or four others from within and departed silent
" for the point mentioned, less than quarter of
mile up the line. The leader looked at his watch.
Times passin' gents" he observed to those re-
naming an must get them lights in position
Flare up that candle there boys. SO. Now, Sam
WiIins take that lamp yOnder an put it on the
bracket top that pole outside behind the piece o
glass on the arm-you'n find ladder at the side
The trains comm of course from Denver the dis
lance signal ought to be out from Jaggersviue. III
tote this up there myself Then we've only cot to
pull the lever yonder the clerk showed today an
the arms II fall an the signal stand at clear. III
look after this for everythings got TO be done regu'
lar, else they'll smell a rat. Rest yer eye on them
telegraph keys Bill an don't you boys fail to keep
a sharp lookout neither"
And with this pleasantly which provoked sup
pressed gufaw he hurried away into the darkness.
When Mr.. Jackson so roughly deposited
upon the floor of his he returned to conscious
ness almost Immediately For while he remained
perfectly still endeavoring to collect his thoughts and
listening to all that passed in the room below. But
when he heard the telegram he knew prompt action
was imperative.
The gag had not been securely fastened and the
roughness Of his bearers had further loosened it at
one side Working his jaws furtously he was soon
able to clear his mouth of the felt bandage and then
lifting his numbed arms he patiently bit asunder the
cords binding his hands. little care presently set
his feet free also He was suffering great pain his
ears ringing his head aching from the effects of The
blow but he forced himself concentrate his atten
ton on the need of the moment.
Leaning against the wall, he stealthily struck a
match and looked his watch Good heavens, Ae
had not quite twenty minutes What could he do in
that time? Escape JaggersviIle out of the
question We're he strong enough to attempt it. An
active unwounded man might succeed in tapping the
telegraph wires which he knew passed close to the
shingles overhead but the message would Individually
arrive too late Big Timbers. Whatever was to be
done should be done at Once-but what?
He almost groaned aloud in his impotence, and
Numbering Rosie cursed her heartily Then he
thought of Miss Dubleek and included her in the
athena for if they had not quarrelled she would
probably be now at her window waiting and he might
by signaling to Bee Ranch get something accom-
plished.
why not do so instantly he asked himself,
dreamily: anything better than this awful mac
tvtty with every lost minute bringing the express
nearer to her doom. The chance of attracting the
girls attention sckeningly faint, but it the
only means Of communicating with the outer world
left him. and he resolved to try it.
Slipping OF his boots he CROPPED his way pain
fully to the window, and after some little search
found the bicycle lamp with which he used signal,
now lying idle for many weeks. He shook ft-alas.
there much oil left, but he prayed passion
atey there would be enough to serve his purpose.
Still acting with the utmost caution listening to the
suppressed tones of the guards below, and hearing
the dull swift strokes of the picks upon the track
beyond the canyon. he lit it. and dragging himself
upright position, though the effort cost him
tire and might bullet in his BRAIN he began
to make the flash signals
Miss Dubleek had just finished washing up the
tea things and was moving about the kitchen sing
ing Rock Of Ages while her mother kept mp
somewhat acrimonious mOnOlogue the cussedness
of having darters who didn't know their own minds
and gave smart young feIars the shake jest because
O. Some faIlal nonsense, for Mrs. Dubeek was a
strong partisan of Peter.
Wishing to avoid discussion, Miss Dubleek
whose hymn-singing always indicated induced a
condition of mild melancholy, presently retired G her
own chamber under pretense of tidying it. She did
not require a light. she said the reflection from the
Kitchen being sufficient.
e Partly through habit she went directly to her
window and looked out upon the young night-in the
direction of Jaggersville. After while dull spark
began glow from what she knew must be the up
per story of the station house. 1t flashed brilliantly
few seconds, Obscured suddenly and went out
apparently, only to shine more brightly moment
later Miss Dubleek caught herself specializing ON it's