Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-11-06

ike the tall or
a rocket behind it, plunged heavily
over the lin Of the bluff into the river
moment later the deep black wa
tiers of 1.-The hole" had closed above
the mass of sentient steel. The swift
current had smoothed away every
trace Of the strange monster it had en-
quilted, and there by the side Of the
track, huddled against the broken sig
nal post, his clothing plastered with
mud and CRIME, motionless and with
nasty cut on the temple. lay Harry
Sanderson.
A long, saturating peace. deep and
drenching darkness, had folded him.
Duly at first. at length more insistent-
~ and sharply. rhythmic pulsing
sound began to annoy the quietude.
K-track, k-track. k-track-it grew loud
er; 1t grew more momentous and ma
terial; it irritated the calm that had
wrapped the animate universe AS
though from an Unreasonable distance
he heard low, continuous roar and
now and again through the roar nearer
voices.
Harry awoke. His mind awoke, but
his eyes did not open at once, for the
gentle swaylng that Graded him was
pleasant, and the mufhed clack and
hum soothed him like opium. He open
ed his eyes. 1t was daylight He was
lying on dusty boards that ratified and
vibrated beneath him. the floor Of an
empty freight car in motion. A small
brown dog, an abject. muddied and
shivering morsel, was snuggled close to
his side. 1t whined as If with joy to
beat the floor
Harry turned bis head. Two men in
dtngy garments were seated on the
door little distance away thumbing a
decrepit pack of cards over an empty
box. He could see both side faces, one
weather beaten and good humored, the
other crafty-knights Of the road
The sudden movement had sent a
momentary twinge to his temple. He
put up his hand. 1t touched coarse
handkerchief that had been bound
tightly about 1t. The corner hung down.
1t was soiled and stiff with blood.
What was he doing there? Where was
he? Who was he?
1t came to him with start that he
actually for the moment did not know
who he was-that he had ridiculously
slipped the leash of his identity He
smiled at his predicament He would
lie quietly for a few moments, and it
would come. OF course 1t would come!
Yet 1t did not come. though he lay
many moments. the fingers OF his mind
fumbling for the latch of the closed
door. He had walked perfectly well,
all save the slight cut on his temple,
and that was clearly superficial, a
mere scratch. Not trouble or ankle
ty marred his soul. His mind was as
clear and light as lark's. Body and
brain together felt as If they had never
had serious ache In the world But
all that had preceded his awakening
was gone from him as completely as
though 1t had had no existence.
Stealthily he rose to sitting posture
and, with frown Of humorous per,
plexity, took a swift and silent in.
Ventory. he scanned his clothing. His
coat was threadbare and, with mud
oil and coal dust, was in a more dis
reputable state. His wristbands were
grimy, and one cufflink had been torn
away. He had no hat.
He bethought himself of his pockets
and went through them methodically
one by one. They yielded several dol
lars in coin, penknife and tiny gold
cross, but not a letter. not scrap OF
paper, nothing to serve him. The
| CLEAN Of ring on his finger caught
his eye. He rubbed away the dirt and
carefully examined it, wondering II
the stone was real His hand was
slightly cut and swollen, and the circlel
would not come off. but by shifting IL
slightly he could see the white depres
sion made By long wear. The setting