Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-09-12
A ROMANCE.
OF THE RAIL.
By FREDERICK REDDALL.

"Well, If they're train robbers" said
Madge, 81 don't see why they don't be-
gin to rob and be done with it."
From the farthest corner Of the Ia
dies boudoir, where as yet there was
20 lamplight. Miss Granniss called to
Mr. Draper In low tone. Going to
her side, she drew him to the window,
and there, peering out, the forms OF
FIVE or six men could be seen standing
and lounging about, while to and fro
paced those on guard. The cars were
completely invested. There was evil
dently an animated colloquy going on,
and voices could be heard In excited
argument. One Of the men raised his
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 winder" he shouted. Ches-
ter obeyed and then demanded:
"What do you wantP'
"Them lights has got to be put out"
Every ear in the Miranda was on the
alert, and q chorus Of protests came
from the ladies.
keep us In the dark! What a 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 it, boss. Them lights Is
too brlght~ A confrmatory murmur
came from half q dozen throats In the
darkness. Chester tried one more ap-
peal.
1--WE 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:
"Too much bloomin gasllght!'
"Reg'lar Fourth O. July illumina.
toni"
"See it from one end O. the gulch to
tn other!'
"Put 'em out, l says"
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 shades"
Ives was about to parley again, hop
ing to gain some explanation as to the
( -, ocoinp 20 &bo ctronoo ovoDts of thp
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 a man
when he's at the trigger end Of a gun
and you are looking into the business
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.. Filley?" sudden
" exclaimed Madge. Sure enough,
where was he? 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 couple Of guards, motion
less as statues, with the butts Of their
rifles resting on the platforms.
"No 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-
ventional disgulses 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 patting
the little hand that lay on his sleeve as
he strove 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 a 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 Mt the first intimation
Of danger. he was prevailed upon to set
about preparing some refreshments,
for it was now past midnight.
For the tenth time at least Florence
voiced the question::
"What do you suppose they mean to
do with us" and for the tenth time
John Draper made answer:
81 can't imagine. But" he contin,
ued after a pause. "its my opinion
that we shall not be 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 when
there was a sudden hustle outside and
the sound Of commands delivered In