Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-09-18

completely invested. There was eyi
dently an animated colloquy going on
and voices could be heard In excited
argument. One Of the men raised bis
arm and pointed overhead and around
Then another OF the gang came TO the
side of the car and tapped on one OF the
saloon windows with his gun barrel.
"Open tn winderr' he shouted. Ches
ter obeyed and then demanded:
"What do you wantT'
Them lights has got TO be put out!'
Every ear In the Miranda was on the
alert, and chorus Of protests came
from the ladies.
Keep US In the dark! What per
feet shamew said Mrs. Hurst.
whoever you are" said Chester, re
member that there are ladies on board
They are already terrified beyond en-
durance. and darkness will only In
crease their alarm"
"Carnt help II. boss. Them lights IL
too brightw A conflrmatory murmui
came from half a dozen throats In the
darkness. Chester tried one more ap
peal.
"we can pull down the shades. Wont
that dor
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:
"Too much bloomIn gaslightr'
"Reg'lar Fourth O July illumlna'
tionr
"see It from one end o. the gulch tc
tn otherw
"Put 'em cut, saysr'
At length the leader Of the gang-toI
Il was Jim Dallon who spoke-cams
under the window again and said:
"Only one llghtll be allowed. and
you'll pull down them shades!
Ives wns 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 Ora
per thrust bis head into the narrow
opening and began:
"You impudent rascals"-
"Shet that winder!" came the cur'
command. emphasized as before, and
feeling two soft hands on his shoulder
dragging him away, he turned 10 be
hold Florence. who had followed hin
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 a mar
when he's at the trigger end Of gur
and you are looking into the busines.
endw and then went about the car low
ering all the lights but one and draw
ing down the heavy damask shades
"why. where's Mr. FilleyT sudden
" exclaimed Madge. Sure enough
where was hel They looked In eaci
others faces as II to recall when h'
had previously been seen. Then II wal
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 thu
rear door Of the Miranda and peeret
through the glass. Yes; the Pullman
was there sure enough, shrouded II
gloom. but with their backs to th'
doors stood a couple OF guards, motion
less as statues, with the butts Of theil
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. mucl
less to think Of going to bed. All con
ventional disguises were thrown aside
In this hour Of peril Draper and Flor
ence strolied from one end to the othel
arm In arm. he stroking and pattinf
the little hand that lay on his sleeve al
he strovs to reassure her and quiet hel
alarms.
In their wake came Madge and Ches
ter, likewise linked closely. he talking
hopefully and consolinsly. while Mrs
Hurst sat by and said never word
Luckily Annette. the maid. and Gus
tave. the cook. were with the party II
the Miranda. and when the latter hat
been dragged out Of bis buffet. the doo
Of which, with Gallo prudence. he hat
shut and locked at the first lntimatiol
Of danger. he was prevailed upon to Sc
about preparing some refreshments
for II was now past midnight
For the tenth time at least Florence
voiced the question:
"What do you suppose they mean b
do with usY' and for the tenth tim,
John Draper made answer:
II can't imagine. But" he contin
ned after q pause, "it's my opinion
that we shall not be kept In doubt
They will show their hands at dawn.
Nor was be mistaken. Faint tinges o
grayness began to outline the gaps b
tween the shades and the glass whe
there was q sudden hustle outside an
the sound Of commands delivered .
strident tones
Then came the tramping Of feet o
the steps Of the Pullman Draper m
Ives spsang each to . window an
1ung up the curtainA Yes, the daw
WAS Al abroad. though a. Jet 10 clea
| idea q their whereabouts co0ld b
cleaned. But the light was sufBcier
Il - n<nanuna ehavv> a. s>uo~,of,pA Kl11nm k1os