The Press., 1903-06-18
THIS SIDE f THE GAP
By ELLIOT WALKER
Copyright. 1908, by T. c. Mcclure

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 You've something new on your mind, Bud; I know it." ...
 Rose COpley's clinging fingers held her husband fast. "Killian will do you nothing but harm, Bud. Why do you go with him?" The moonlight glinting through the poplar leaves sparkled on gathering tears.
 "Pshaw, Rosie, Tim's all right. We've long worked on, the section to- gether. l must see him tonight and find out if Maxey will take us on again. That's his whistle now"
 He shook her off impatiently and strode off, turning his head to call: "Go in and tend to baby. I'll soon be back" -+-.
 The woman sighed, wiped her eyes and stepped up the path to the small brown cottage. She glanced at the child slumbering peacefully in his crib, moved about uneasily and again stood at the door, her black eyes straining into the darkness.
 "I cannot settle down." she unused. Poor old Bud! He never touched the tools, and it's two weeks since they laid him off Dear me! I wish could forget that dream. Two nights run ming I've dreamed it. The roar and tremble and crash and screams. can't remember the place and faces, but they were familiar at the time. Pshaw! Pm upset and nervous about things, and the II o'clock tearing through was the cause, guess"
 With her easy, good natured husband and the baby. Rose thought herself a lucky woman. Only recently Bud had been irritable at times. The mystery of the missing tools was yet to be cleared up. A wrench had been found in Killian's room, and Bud was with him at the tool house the night before.
 "I've no business to bother him." she thought repentantly.
 Nervously she waited while the min utes crept along, then with sudden decision picked up her gray shawl and stepped to the crib in the corner. Baby will sleep. Pve simply got to get him home." she whispered. It's nearly half past 10. What does ail me to feel so? There's his revolver on the man. tel. Yes; I'll take it just for company" She locked the door and glided down the road.
 "Hullo, BndY
 "IIullo. Tim! Who are your friendsY
 "A couple of new men. MT. Lutz- MT. CopIey. MT. Copley-AIr. Grayle My pal, boys"
 The men shook hands in the shade of the great elm.
 "Section work ?" interrogated Bud.
 "Yes. Maxey's put us on. Tim, here, 1 knOwed well in the Albany yards. Come on, Mike. I guess we can find the place." The strangers shifted back from the moonlight. ..
 What's upY asked Copley.
 Killian answered him: "Rafl spread this side of the gap. Let's go down and show them We've nothing on hand, and it's a dark spot for green men. The loss said he's sent the tools on a hand car, and they're in the ditch. It's only a few minutes job. Come" He put his hand on Buds arm.
 Upon the track Killian dropped be- uluu WILL SOpiey.
 "Bud," he 'growled, we're dishadv'
 What" The other halted.
 Fact! I've got my notice. Your turn tomorrow"
 Its an internal outrage" cursed Copley angrily. "In all the years I've worked they never had a complaint. What I'll do? Pm married and settled here. I can't move"
 Killain began to swear. '"The Id corporation. I'd like to see 'em in trouble" ,...
 By love, would" Copley stum- bled along despairingly.
 The moon in sudden brilliance gilt tered upon the shining rails, curving into the ravine beyond. Ahead and seventy feet below the river brawled against the abutments of the bridge.
 "Goodv muttered Killian. "We'll get even, ehY'
 Bud did not reply. His brain was whirling. "Rose-the baby-the happy little home." He staggered on.
 The track curved sharply just this side of the gap. There waited their companions.
 "rhe crowbar, Mike. Grayle, you help him." Copley, examining the nearby rails, did not heed Killian's voice so full of import. On his knees, he looked up. Nothing spread here, boys, that I see."
 The others came close with hard faces. There will be-" spoke Killian grimly. You're in on this, Bud. No fooling! Wen get even and more pickings than would come to us in years of slaving. No one will suspect you. We chaps will be miles away by morning. You can take your time. Anyway, you're in on it."
 But the other was regarding him In horror "'For Gods sake. .Tim!" he gasped. You're fooling! No? You dirty devil. let me up! Help! Help! A-a-h'- ''',s~
 Hit him again. Grayle! There, that settles the fool! l thought he had more sand. Why did bring him? Thought he might take hold, and l wanted his mouth shut, if he didn't What yell he let out. Lie low for awhile. There is time enough"
 He kicked the senseless form. and the three worthies secreted themselves behind powder. Killian whispered: "Wait ten minutes; then we'll do the trick-lay him where he'll get hit, and folks Fl think he done it. SeeY A pause. then another whisper-"He got the woman l wanted, blast him!'
 MT. Grayle nudged MT. Lutz.
 About a quarter of II the men stole out. A minutes hard work with the and the rail lifted. "Of to this side bit, boys. That's right. Oh, ohv' ......-