Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-04

car. Down the mountain they rushed at
express train speed. Mr.. Hall clutched the
window ledge nervously as the car jumped
and jolted in rounding curve, but Alice
sat with straining eyes, her one solace the
dangerous swiftncss of their descent.
Half mile below was the steepest grade
on the little line. There the track dipped
sharply, and near the bottom swerved
abruptly. Arthur, who had let the car run
beyond prudent limits, frightened the brakes
Just before the car reached the drop.
Tighter and tighter he wound the chain,
and for a moment the check on the wheels
held the car from any increase in speed 1t
was running entirely of its own momentum,
but even this was too fast pace on the
brink of the mighty drop. Arthur shouted
for Jim, but already the motorneer had
prepared for the drop and was tightening
his brake. Then there came the sharp
crack of breaking metal and the car SEEM
ed to fall forward. The momentum, started
by the mad flight on the lesser grade, was
too much even for iron brake chains. The
car bounded forward as through space,
struck the curve, and then with one awful
jolt and sway fastened itself back on the
rails.
Mr.. Hall had sprung to his feet, terror
stricken, as the made it's leap. Now he
sank back trembling in his seat, shamed by
the calmness of Alice. Her faith in Arthur
was unlimited. The CLEAN of truth at his
success when they struck the rails was I'M
mistakable.
The remaining distance, three miles and
nalr, was over straight SIHootI trdCh
Arthur let the car spin at its best rate OF
speed. Into the town they dashed, break
ing all the elaborate rules and regulations
formulated by the town council to govern
the speed of the new electric line AS they
turned into the main street they could see
the restless, helpless crowd around the
bank door.
Alice stood up, her gaze strained on the
bank door. No, 1t was not possible that
any one could have opened the vault. He
must be still in it's awful blackness. Did
he know and feel his oncoming doom? Was
he dead or alive?
The crowd parted as Mr.. Hall sprang
from the car to the pavement and sped up
the bank steps. At his heels were Alice
and Arthur. AS Mr.. Hall turned the COM
bination ominous silence fell upon the
watchers. At last the bank presidents
low 1t. One pull and the door sprang back
And as the door Enclosed so something
fell out from the darkness within, some
thing that had been huddled up against
the pitiless barrier. With cry of anguish
Alice fell beside the motionless figure, but
Arthur's hands drew her gently away.
Let the doctor come first, Alice he
whispered. and led her gently away.
The doctor was leaving the bank. The
townspeople stood respectfully, if curiously,
around the gate.
Skull not fractured said the doctor,
from asphyxiation than from the blow
Ten minutes more and he'd been dead"
The throng wanted to cheer for the San
Baratos Electric Railway Company, which
had brought rescue to one of its leading
citizens, but restrained itself and trooped
back to the car to hear the account of sthe
thrilling ride. Alice's terrific ride up the
grade had somehow been forgotten by
every one save Arthur.
Three days later the bank thieves were
captured by the sherfff's posse and it was
Alice who suggested that Arthur carry the
news to her father. The old cashier. look
Ing pathetically absurd in his turban of
bandages, shook hands warmly with Arthur
and stroked his whiskers with satisfaction
as he heard of the capture.
Il hope they get the maximum penalty
COO, TO leave man to smother slowly in
that black vault! Ten minutes more the
doctor tells me- young man, and it would
have been all over for Henry Lathrop."
Arthur did not answer The old cashier
looked dreanily through his vine-draped
window. How sweet and cool was the air
that drifted through natures delicate green
screeni
Arthur, you can ask the little girl to
name the day. I don't believe the road
will ever pay, or the hotel for that matter
either, but you know how to act in an
emergency
But it was Alice who rode up, you must
remember, Mr.. Lathrop," interrupted Ar
thur, unwilling to see the bravery of his
sweetheart forgotten.
Yes, but precious little good would her
pony ride have done If you hadn't let Hail
! drop down in your dinky little car. Don't
| say any more, young man. / know when
I'm beaten. Now go hunt up the little girl.
| II. be bound she's not far from the other
| side of that door,"
| And with a misty veil before his eyes the
cashier of the San Baratos bank once more
looked through the screen of vines to the
beautiful. balmy outdoor life that had sud-
denly grown SO marvelously good to his
sight