The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-01-30
By Henry BsrIinSboG

The Denver Red gang was operating
south, and Halliday had given no par
ticular thought to the poster. Even
now he did not realize that Jessie was
conjuring in her brain visions of an
express car shattered by dynamite and
an express messenger, with face very
like his own, bleeding from a dozen
wounds.
When the whistle of the limited
sounded far down the valley they arose
and retraced their way to the station,
and in the rush Of checking his lists
Halliday lost sight Of Jessie. When at
last he STOOD in the doorway Of the car
watching the loading Of the baggage
car behind he did not see the eager face
upturned toward his. 1t was too late to
jump down and go in search of her, and
as he stood in the door of the car while
the train ratified through the yards he
wondered what had become OF her.
Usually hers was the last face he saw
as they pulled out on their long run
over the divide.
Then he turned to his invoices again
and soon was so busily occupied that
he never heard a footstep until a pair
Of hands were clasped over his eyes.
With cry he sprang to his feet and
reached for the shotgun in the rack by
the door. He was In the very act Of
taking 1t down when a cry caused him
to turn again and he confronted Jessie.
Il know it's wrong and it's against
orders and all that sort of thing" she
announced defiantly, "but just know
that there is trouble ahead for you to-
night, and wanted to be with you"
"Therell be trouble enough ahead II
the super finds out" he agreed 'It's
dead against the rules for any one to be
permitted to ride in the express cars"
You didn't permit me-" she argued
with feminine logic II stole ride, and
you can't very well put me off, That's
ALL"
81 wish 1t were" he said quietly as he
turned to his seat again.
"Joe," she cried penitently, "I'M be
very good and won't bother you at all"
She crept back to the end Of the car,
where, aided by the dim light, she had
concealed herself and Struggled down.
1t was long run, and there was much
work to be done. Suddenly Halliday
gave low whistle, and she sprang to
his side
What is it, dearT she asked anx-
iously. He pointed to an entry in the
invoice
IF Denver Red and his gang knew
of that they'd be up here In a hurry"
he declared. There should be $50 600
worth Of diamonds in that safe"
"You don't suppose they can and out
do your she asked anxiously.
Joe shook his head. II don't suppose
So" he said; "but, all the same, they
have been lucky in picking up only the
cars with rich loads. That's probably
why the shipment was made over this
line"
For twenty minutes they talked Of
the possibility Of holdup Then Jes-
sic crept or to her nook again, and
Halliday went on with his work. Sud
denly, with screech ard jar, the
engine came to stop. Joe spranK to
the partly opened door to close il, but
he was half a minute too late, for TIVE
burly forms sprang through the open
ing, and while one covered him with
a pistol the other foored him, securely
binding him with the bell rope.
Before he had concluded the engine
had started again, and Joe knew that
they were taking the car down the road
to where they could work with greater
freedom. They were climbing a grade,
and while they were headed for the
top the other cars were probably slip
ping back.
Presently there was another jerk as
the engine slowed down, and the two
robbers turned to Joe. where's the
key to the safer" they demanded.
Il haven't any" was the cool re-
Spouse. That's the through safe I'm
not supposed to unlock it."
'He must have the key somewhere"
suggested the second man. Lend n
hand"
They knelt beside him on the door
and unceremoniously rolled him over
as they searched his pockets. So &C.
cupied were they that they gave heed
to nothing else until a stern command
Of drop thatr' rang through the car,
and they sprang to their feet to con-
front a short barreled shotgun in Jes-
sizes hands.
Tnstinctively they threw up their
hands while they commented upon thu
situation with vigor of language taat
led Jessie to rei...,... ....u she would
shoot anyway unless they kept silent
Still covering them with gun, she
moved forward to where Halliday lay
and with one hand cut the cords which
bound him. 1t was an easy task after
that to bind and gag the two men, and
together she and Joe, who had armed
himself from the outlaws belts, drop
ped from the car and got to the aid Of
the fireman and engineer, who, were
under the guard of the third member
Of the party.
Here they were four against one, and |
ten minutes later the engine and car |
up the train, willie Jessie, now that the
danger had passed, sat in Joe's chair,
her girlisa frame alternately shaken
with laughter and tears.
1T was easy" she explained. II was
asleep until the train stopped. That
woke me up, and I was Just going to
ask what was the matter when heard |
the two men.
Il thought 1t would be best to wait q
and see what was happening, |
then l remembered how you jumped
for that shotgun in the rack.
1T was right over my head, and they
were so busy with you that they never
thought that there might be a second
person in the car"
Weren't you afraidT be asked curl
ously.
"Awfully." she confessed frankly. |
You see, was afraid might have to
shoot them, and never shot any one.
and knew it would be horrid." ,
ITS a wonder they didn't take
chances of you missing and make try
suggested Halliday.
Huh" came voice from out Of the ,
her hand shook go that Bin