Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-09-05

''Them lights has got to be put outw
Every ear in the Miranda was on the
alert, and a chorus of protests came
from the ladies.
keep us in the dark! What per
feet shame" said Mrs. Hurst.
whoever you are" said Chester, ire
member that there are ladies' on board.
They are already terrified beyond en-
durance, and darkness will only in
crease their alarm"
"Carnt help 1t, boss. Them lights is
too brightw A confirmatory murmur
came from half o dozen threats in the
darkness. Chester tried one more an
peal.
eve can pull down the shades. Won't
that do?''
The figure turned round and address
ed some words to his unseen confeder-
ates, and an earnest discussion ensued,
during which Chester caught such
fragments as:
100 much bloomin gaslightw
"Reg'lar Fourth o July illumina-
ton"
"see 1T from one end o the gulch to
TIL other!'
put 'em out, l saysi"
At length the leader Of the gang-for
1t was Jim Dallon who spoke-came
under the window again and said:
only one light'll be allowed, and
you'll pull down them shadest'
Ives was about to parley again, hop
ing to gain some explanation as to the
meaning of the strange events Of the
past couple of hours, when John Dra-
per thrust his head into the narrow
opening and began:
you impudent rascals''-
"Shet that winder!" came the curt
command, emphasized as before, and
feeling two soft hands on his shoulder
dragging him away, he turned to be-
hold Florence, who had followed him
into the saloon.
"Do not expose yourself" she said.
as she drew him into the Interior, and
for her sake he desisted.
Ives let the sash fall with an angry
snap, saying with grim laugh,
"There's no use arguing with man
when he's at the trigger end of gun
and you are looking into the business
endg and then went about the car low
erlng all the lights but one and draw
ing down the heavy damask shades.
"Why, where's Mr.. FllleyY sudden
ly exclaimed Madge. Sure enough,
where was heY They looked in each
others faces as If to recall when he
had previously been seen. Then 1t was
remembered that his last appearance
was at dinner.
-And Henry and Aleck, too" added
Uncle John.
DOUBTLESS they are as snugly trap
ped in the other car as we are" laugh
ed Chester.
To make certain Chester went to the
rear door Of the Miranda and peered
through the glass. Yes; the Pullman
was there sure enough, shrouded In
| gloom, but with their backs to the
doors stood a couple Of guards, motion
less as statues, with the butts of their
rifles resting on the platforms.
mo chance to communicate, that's
certain" thought Chester. Hope the
fellows all safe, though"
AT least there was nothing to prevent
the prisoners from moving about in the
car with perfect freedom Naturally
enough. no one cared to sleep, much
less to think of going to bed. All con-
yentional disguises were thrown aside
in this hour Of peril. Draper and Flor
ence strolled from one end to the other
arm In arm, he stroking and pattlng
the little hand that lay on his sleeve as
he stroye to reassure her and quiet her
alarms
| In their wake came Madge and Ches.
ter, likewise linked closely, he talking
hopefully and consolingly, while Mrs.
Hurst sat by and said never word.
Luckily Annette, the maid, and Gus.
tave, the cook. were with the party in
the Miranda, and when the latter had
been dragged out Of his buffet, the door
of which. with Gallo prudence, he had
shut and locked at the first intimation
Of danger, he was prevailed upon to SET
about preparing some refreshments
for 1t was now past midnight.
For the tenth time at least Florence
voiced the question:
"What do you suppose they mean to
do with us2" and for the tenth time
John Draper made answer:
II can't Imagine. But" he contin
ued after pause, tits my opinion
that we shall not DO kept in doubt
They will show their hands at dawn
Nor was he mistaken. Faint tinges OF
grayness began to outline the gaps be
tween the shades and the glass wher
there was a sudden hustle outside and
the sound Of commands delivered II
strident tones.
Then came the tramping Of feet OIL
the steps Of the Pullman. Draper and
Ives sprang ench to window and
flung up the curtains. Yes, the dawr
was all abroad. though as yet no Glen,
idea Of their whereabouts could bs
cleaned. But the light was sufficient
to enable them to perceive Filley. Hen
ry and Alec standing by the track side
by side, their arms pinioned behind
them and blindfolded. This. then, wal
what they, too, might expect.
In few moments a noise was heart
at the front door Of the Miranda, ,ant
almost Immediately it was flung ope1
with crash that shook the car, ant
then the command was given:
"Step out here, John Draper, nni
pretty DUN quick!"
"Don't go! Oh. don't got! begged
Florence, grasping his arm. to which
plaint Mrs. Hurst added her plea
Draper stood irresolute. Then quicl
football was heard, and Jim Dallon ap
peared In the curtained doorway, car
bine In hand.
ibid you hear me CALI" he thunder
cd. "John Draper, want you! NJ
ones goin to hurt you, man! Onlest
you want to be carried out you'll wall
out!'
Gently releasing Flo's grasp he Lex
her to Mrs. Hurst and with a nod al
around stepped out ahead of tho rob
Der leader. On the platform lie wal
seized by two Of the gang, who rapid
Il