Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-02-28
THE GREAT K. & A.
TRAIN ROBBERY.
BY Paul Leicester Ford.
"Donel' said he.

'Doner' said he.
Leaving the group, went forward tC
get the report of the mail agent He had
put things to rights and told me that,
though the mail had been pretty badly
mixed up, only one pouch at worst had
been rifed This, the one for registered
mail, had been cut open; but, as if to
increase the mystery, the letters had
been scattered, unopened, about the car,
only three out Of the whole being miss.
ing, and those very probably had fall
ell into the pigeonholes and would be
found on more careful search.
confess breathed easier to think
that the road agents had got away with
nothing, and was so pleased that went
back to the wire to send the news Of it
that the fact might be included in the
press dispatches. The moon had set, and
it was so dark that had some difficulty
in finding the pole. When l found it,
Miss Cullen was still standing there.
What was more, a man was close beside
her, and as came up l heard her say,
Indignantly:
Il will not allow it. 1t is unfair to
take such advantage of me. Take your
arm away or shall call for help!'
That was enough for me. One step
carried my 100 pounds over the inter-
vening ground, and, using the momen-
tum of the stride to help, put the fiat
of my hand against the shoulder Of the
man and gave him shove. There are
three or four Harvard men who can tell
what that means, and they were braced
went staggering back as if struck by a
cowcatcher and lay down on the ground
good Is feet away His having his
arm around Miss Cullen's waist I'M
steadied her so that she would have
fallen, too. if l hadn't put my hand
against her shoulder l longed to put it
about her, but by this time | wanted to
do only what thought she would wish
and so restrained myself.
Before had time to finish an apology
to Miss Cullen the fellow was upon his
feet and came at me with an exclama-
ton Of anger. In my surprise at recog
nizing the voice as that of Lord Rallies
4
self; but, though he was quick with his
fists, l caught him by the wrists as he
closed, and he had no chance after that
against fellow of my weight.
"Oh, don't quarrelr' cried Miss Gull
len.
Holding him, said, Lord Rallies, I |
overheard what Miss Cullen was saying,
and supposing some man was insulting |
her acted as l did " Then I let go of |
him and, turning, said, II am very sor- !
ry, Miss Cullen, if / did anything the
did not warrant, while
cursing myself for my precipitancy and
for not thinking that Miss Cullen would
never have been caught in such plight
with man unless she had been half
willing, for girl does not merely
threaten to call for help if she really
wants aid.
Lord Rallies wash It much Modified by
my explanation. You're too much in
, hurry, my man, he growled, speak
ng to me as if l We're a servant. BE
Dit more careful in the future"
/ think l should have retorted-for
lis manner was enough to make saint
Miss Cullen hadn't spoken.
"You tried to help me, Mr.. Gordon,
md am deeply grateful for that, " she
aid. The words look simple enough set
lown here But the tone in which she
aid them and the extended hand and
he grateful little squeeze she gave my
myers all seemed to express so much
hat was more puzzled over them than
was over the robbery