Evening star., 1900-06-02
/ rather belong to me than to Dick Cow

property. God will never permit that mon
strous wrong
There are lots of monstrous wrongs done
without His permission" said Gregg, inter-
rupting.
Lucy continued: "Oh. Mr.. Gregg. I will
confess would rather be under your own
ership than Richard Coverly's; but do not
invest your money in me- I am uncer-
tain piece of property, and shall vehemently
dispute any mans right to buy or sell me.
Why do you talk to me so? What right
have you? Look at the women in this car
am 1 less intelligent than they-less wo-
man? Have less feeling? Would you dare
to address the humblest the most iglior-
ant of them as you do me? Sir. 1 could
alarm this car. l could have you execrated
and scorned should l give an outcry and
show the people the terrible inlquity going
on in their midst. Do you wish to know
why do not? Because 1t would profit me
nothing; you are an officer of the United
StateS-I am not recognized indi-
vidual-1 am property-you could and would
hold me: should fnjure you without benefit
to myself, and l think you are good man
with mistaken notions of duty. What If
were your sister or daughter?'
Gregg fastened his eyes upon her excited
ccuntenance.
II should be proud of you." he whispered.
and shoot the man who wronged you.
feel that you are not yet in Louisiana, and
although l wish had never undertaken
this job. 1t is too late to retreat. 1 will
fight before 1 allow you to be taken from
me. I shall do my duty, but you .hali suf
IeT no Harm Wnlle IN my CUSTODY.
At Buffalo the train stopped fifteen min
utes for lunch. Gregg escorted Lucy to
restaurant table and politely helped her
to what she desired No allusion was made
to the situation again. Gregg's glance at
every stranger who paused to look at them
and a general uneasy expression of coun-
tenance showed quite plainly that he did
not feel secure. Pierces disappearance was
In itself suspicious, for he reasoned to him
self that he would not leave the girl. When
ever he spoke to Lucy there was that re-
spect in his address that did not -eally be-
long to his position. At lunch he scanned
the faces of the waiting crowd, dreading to
see that of Pierce. There was doubt but
his present expedition was the result Of cir
cumstances. and was not to his liking. Yet
his ideas of strict duty were such that
when the attempt at rescue came he would
die In his tracks before he would leave his
| prisoner. With Gregg official duty was
paramount.
The long.stretch of prairie through which
we were passing had no beauties for Lucy,
and interested her but little. The horrible
fate In store for her, should Pierce fall had
a crushing weight upon her mind and ban
ished all other thoughts The ghosts Of
former days passed before her eyes and the
black curse, whose wierd and CHASTITY form
had oil late seemed so distant, now appeared
TO stretch forth its hand and gather her in
among the skeletons and desolations that
ike dark pail hung over the banks of the
Ieche The thought seemed a presence
that she could feel as reality Her breath
came with difficulty, her pulse was faint
and slow.
Chicago at last. After few hours stop
stretched its smoky length across the
boundless prairie toward the Mississippi.
1t was growing dark; Gregg came to Lucy's'
seat with his handkerchief in his hand.
Please sit over in the other end" said
he. She obeyed. He stopped down and she
felt her ankles clasped with firm hand.
Ihe rattle of chain and she was shackled
to the seat in front
'PrecautiOn Only' said he. .svorr dracc
skirt will cover the ornaments. No one
Will Know L am not going to lose you by
amy carelessness or soft-hearted folly; /
have too much at stake for that" Instead
OF being frightened the girl was pleased
lie scents danger. she thought. Welcome
Neutrality-suspicious. death-I am prepared
The roar and rush of the train drowned the
Slight noise, and not one of the passengers
knew that in that Car was a woman chained
and manacled.
CHAPTER XIV.
AT o'clock Cromwell called Wesner and
elliott. Up, boys, up! Let us fix and be
on Bob will cut the telegraph wire five
minutes before train time. Our watches
are on railroad time, SO there can be no
mistake.
Wesner was on his feet In an instant Gil
lott was also up, but it was arranged that
he should remain at the house Four men
We're all that We're required, beside Bob
Cromwell. who was to cut the telegraph
Wire This was an operation easily per
formed. The wire was simply cut with
pair OF plyers. few feet of tow string be-
Ing substituted, and the thing was done
Bob knew how, for he had been there be-
fore. From Cromwelrs there started a fine
pair of horses attached to a spring wagon
Ihere was a barrel and some boxes on the
wagon: The occupants drove northeast
until they reached the main road and then
turned toward the station. This wagon was
driven by a stalwart negro, another occu-
pied the seat beside him. About an hour
later two horsemen rode out of the gate
the one bis-whiskered. red headed fellow
other was our friend Wesner thoroughly
made up as hoosier cattle driver. His
best friend would not have known him. His
pistol was handy. The old man Cromwell
planned the rescue, and it was he with
Wesner. Now, George" said he '.the
boys Q1iram and William CromwelD will
t get there hrst with the barrels and boxes.
They are gotten up SO the devil won't know
them The horses are stained, and the
wagon was coiored over last night Those
barrels are directed to some firm in Or
my boy! They will bother the station
agent. You enter the first car Have your
pistol ready: l will follow. The girl won't
break for the platform. l will take care of
the marshal and policeman. If they shoot
wing en- It's quick marshal who gets
the drop on YOU
The start was well timed and as Wesner
and Cromwell reached the station the train
was in sight. The wagon was backed up to
the platform, unloaded and the boys were
haggling with the station agent about the
freight.
'Wesner." said Cromwell, don't hitch
your horse: get off and leave him; he will
know what to do.'
Both men were on the platform The
train slowed up. Wesner recognized Lucy's
face at the window, the fourth seat from
the door.
MY God"' he whispered, there she isr'
Keep cool, keep cool; don't hurry" cried
Cromwell. They must stop here ten or
fifteen minutes. 1 know the conductor: he
won't hold this train an instant for all
the niggers south of Mason and Dixon's
nne-waitr'
Meantime the boys had unloaded their
barrels and taken receipts in the name of
some person thirty miles away
Time is up-now!" cried the old man
Cromwell. Cor
Wesner sprang to the open door and en-
tered the car. Lucy" he shouted she
recognized his voice and tried to arise but
the shackles prevented her; she sank back.
Kun, run to the PLATFORM Wesner re-
peated.
II cannot" she replied. IT am chained to
the seat"
Revolvers were out, women shrieked, men
shouted Train robbers" and confusion
reigned, no one seeming to realize the trou-
BILE. Gregg did. His revolver came from
its belt, and, calling to Shaughnessy to as