The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-12-22

TeCoSnlze, utStlnSuISn anu uahsiN'S
them. The girl across the aisle was
communicating through her crude play
thing telegraph messages to mel
Noting my expression, she stopped,
then flashed significant glance to-
ward her father. 0beying her un-
spoken Injunction, busted myself
with a book, but In a moment she was
at work again, and her message read:
II am trying to speak to you. Do
you understands"
My response was to cast bewilder'
ed glance at her. Instantly she turned
her face from me toward the window,
but was on the alert for the next
message.
"Drum with your fingers on the arm
Of your seat as you did before. ! can
read that. Don't look at me-
Here was the last link in the riddle.
l raped;
'I understand you. How can help
you?"
She appeared not to notice me, SIT
ting with her hands relaxed, apparent
ly lost In reverie. But another mes
sage soon followed.
This man who pretends | am crazy
Is not my father nor an old man-only
twenty-seven. Read again."
raped "Yes," keeping my eyes on
my book. Then her lmprovised tele-
graph spoke again,
HE robbed my father, abducted me
! and will force me to marry him as
soon as he is safe from capture. He
threatens to kill me IL l try to es-
cape or betray him. His name Is Jere-
my Saunders. Have you understoodT'
Had L? If ever needed nerve 1t
was then. On my return home, de-
feated, bafied, l found myself by a
freak of fortune hot on the trail. Across
the aisle, so near that | could touch
him, yet so secure in his disguise that
he could mock me to my face, sat my
quarry, while to this girl, his prisoner,
had come the heaven sent inspiration
we both needed.
Steadying my fingers by an effort, I
rappeda
"fes. Your name next. VIII aid
yop with my life"
81 am Almo Osgood," she responded.
'The woman is Saunders sister. We
alight at Rochester, and unless help
comes quickly | am lost"
consulted my time table. We would
reach Rochester in an hour.
do you fear arrest and temporary
detention?' | raped.
II fear nothing that will free me
from this man." was the prompt re-
sponse-
every good" replied. IF in mortal
power | will free you. Say no more.
1t is risking too much"
As raped the last words Saunders
flung down his paper.
"Be done with that Internal DIM" he
exclaimed. '1t is past all endurance!'
"Yes" said the girl wearily. "The
tune won't come, and I'm sleepy" She
lay back, with closed eyes.
about timer l calculated. "Will
you have a cigar with me in the smok-
er? I'm feeling bit dotty myself"
Thanks, no. dare not leave the
girl. This is the first outing for three
weeks, and l swear it will be the last" ;"
II don't blame you. Well, III have
smoke and dispose Of this thing" !
took the toy gently from her lap. $50
long"
Passing through the train to the
telegraph operators car, I sent code
message to the Rochester authorities:
ARREST man, woman and girl alight-
ing from car Cumberland, train Al.
VIII signal. Send man who knows me.
| Farnham."
When / returned to my section Miss
Osgood was still sleeping and Saun-
-ders reading, but managed to engage
him in conversation until we reached
Rochester. Then he made a sign to bis
sister, who shook Miss Osgood none
too gently.
"You alight hereT said. 80 do l.
! We may see more Of each other"
I IT think not" he answered shortly
II stop over but few hours"
As bis sister was arousing her
charge raped one more message.
Stumble when you reach the sta
tion platform. Cough II you under
stand me-"
A brief suspense, then Miss Osgood
sat up, coughed sharply and shot q
look at me. The woman fairly jerked
her to her feet, and we proceeded
Saunders first, I behind him, and the
others following. Glancing through
the end window, I spied three men
scanning the cars. On the platform
Miss Osgood stumbled, falling heavily
against me. Instantly caught Saun'
ders by the shoulder, exclaiming:
"Here they are! Take all"
One officer seized Saunders, and as
his sister tried to drag the girl away
caught her arm, jerked her around and
In moment she and Miss Osgood
were prisoners.
After the first gasp of astonishment
and fury Saunders fought like a de-
mon. He plunged one hand in his pock'
ct and shot it out toward Miss Osgood
who was close beside him, but l struck
his elbow, sending the object flying
then, springing past him, secured 1t. II
looked like a fountain pen, but proved