Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-03-13
BY THE Y
MIDNIGHT TRAIN.

SIT up Tor me.
Olga's dark eyes filed with tears as
she assented. She had thought it was
going to be so different when she had
come up frn her aunt's duh home 10
live with her brother in the city, but
Leonard only kissed her and was gone.
Il know he IS mixed up with some
dreadful people" Olga Thurston thought
as she returned to the little sitting room
and raked the dying embess Of the fire
into a glowing heap. Because poor
mother was a Russian Leonard thinks
himself bound to frateguize with all the
black sheep who come over here. Why
can't he be content with nice English
friends like-the Cuuuinghans
y blush oyersprcad her face rs the re-
membrance Of Hugh Cunningham's part
ing that very afternoon crossed her mind,
and she could feel once more the warm
pressure of the hand and hear the mel
low voice saying; "Goodby, Olga. | viii
come again tomorrow"
She had risen to extinguish the lamp
before retiring to her own room when she
heard the sound of key being turned in
the front door, and, fearing lest Leonard
should be angry il he found her still up,
she slipped behind curtain that was
drawn across the window to wait until
he had gone to his ROOM To her dismay,
however, her brother was not alone
His friends Kroutalzki and Schroeder
were with him, and they began to speak
at once, evidently continuing converse
ton.
"You understand what you have to do"
said SCHROEDER. addressing Leonard. II
will tell you once more. that you make no
mistake. The train bearing that Internal
villain passes your station here at 1910
and reaches Redville at LOS. You must
get in here aud leave the train again at
Redville, and mind you select the car
riage in font of the saloon and leave
your parcel under the seat as close to the
partition as you can get it. IL it is an
empty compartment, so much the better,
but you must risk that"
"How long win it last as 1t isP' asked
Leonard in faltering tones.
FOR an hour and a half. 1t is set TO
go off at 100. and the train will be half
way between Redville and Letterham
then. That gives you plenty of time,
even allowing for delays"
Schneider had spoken in English, though
with strong foreign accent, and the
trembling girl behind the window curtain
had heard every word with shuddering
horror, not only on account of the das-
tardly crime they were plotting. but be-
cause she remembered that Captain Cum
ningham was quartered at Letterham
and that he was dining in London that
night and would almost certainly go back
by the midnight train. With a tremen-
dous effort she controlled the trembling
which seized her, fearful of missing
word. But the consprators left almost
Immediately, first carrying into the room
a square package done up in brown pa
per and placing it carefully on a chair.
AS in a dream Olga watched Leonard
through rent in the curtain. Having
drunk off some whisky. he picked up his
burden and let himself out at the door.
Within FIVE minutes a closely yelled fig
ure was following him. and the brother
and sister reached the station simultane-
| ously. They took tickets for Redville
and Letterham respectively, Olga getting
into a compartment at the end of the
train and Leonard entering the one next
to the saloon carriage.
AT Redvile both got out and Olga had
the satisfaction of seeing her brother
hurry away, while she speedily took his
| place and perceived TO her horror that a
man in fur coat was asleep in one cor
ner.
She had learned from porter that the
| train stopped once more half way to Let
| terham, and with all her heart she pray
ed that the awful thing might not go off
until she could get out with it at the lit
| lie roadside station. She sat trembling
| from head to foot.
AT last came shrill whistle. and with
her heart beating in her throat. as it
seemed to her, Olga began to grope under
the seat.
The man in the fur lined coat sat up.
Can | help you 10 find anything?" he
asked. and Olga saw that one of her fears
was realized, for it was Hugh Cunning
| ham.
mo; please don't-don't touch it"' she
gasped. and as the train stopped she lift
ed the parcel and placed ii on the seat
1t was very heavy. and from il came
| terrible ticking sound, which the noise of
the train had prevented them from hear
ing before. Hugh looked at her curious
ly. He had not recognized the voice,
mufied from terror. but as she stepped
out on the platform her veil flew back
and revealed the face of the womaf he
loved.
Olga" he exclaimed. What is this ?"
He got out quickly. but in the delay caus-
ed by having to give up his ticket he lost
sight of her, and she ran swiftly down
the dark road away from the station
She dared not go too far. a gate lead
ing into a big field invited her TO enter.
She did so and. having set down the aw-
full package. turned back again, with
long, sobbing breaths. As she reached
the gate an explosion rent the air. and
with wall OF anguish mingled with re-
lief Olga fell into Hugh's arms.
Perfect confidence reigns between Cap
tain and Mrs. Cunningham except at one
point. He has never sought to learn how
she became acquainted with the plot to
assassinate the Russian minister, and
when Olga receives her American letters
he does not ask to see them. And each
mail makes her happier, for it brings
word of honest work and true repentance
and real gratitude to the brave little
sister who saved Leonard Thurston from
bearing the brand of Cain.-Keystone.
Age of Criminal Responsibility.