The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-07-07

her ewes seeking the old fashioned
photograph hanging above IL as one
might appeal To cruciix. IL was
the likeness of her father. whom sue
idolized. and she was taking counsei
of him now and also thanking Eou
that it was she ON duty that night In
stead OF him. Then she coolly faced
the intruders. her back to the table
and one hand creeping out steaithily
behind her.
Drop that. curse you snarled one
OF the men. you'll finger that ticker
when tell you to and not before.
See:"
IL was the ugliest villain of them all
who spoke. and Rhoda's arm fell at
her side.
Now you'll wire the old man at
Rumford," the fellow commanded. lev
cling shining barrel nc her head.
that there's a rock or tree-make
II tree--on the track. and the ex-
press II have TO take the siding. Tell
'em the old guy is hurt and they'll
have to throw the switch themselves
lie lowered his voice. speaking 10 the
others. "That'll give us time TO hx the
engineer and get aboard
His accompices nodded.
snow hump yourself. girl. This man.
Telegraph Bill. is next to the dot and
dash lingo. so you can't fool US, aud
youll do the job up proper or It'll be
all day with you" A metallic click
emphasized the threat.
Rhoda glanced slowly about the cir
Gle OF dark. sinister faces. Coming
last to Telegraph Bill. she saw that the
man was listening intelllgenuy to a
message passing over the wire. and she
knew the leader had spoken truly.
They were not 10 be fooled
An ashen pallor overspread her face
She reached hesitatingly for the key
Her fingers stiffened on 1t unwillingly.
and jerkily the instrument began to
tick. At the first sound Telegraph Bill
looked up. and their eyes held each
other for an instant. then the mans
brow contracted doggedly. and he look
ed down. Even a train robber may not
relish seeing a loyal hearted woman
compelled To betray her post
Tick. tick. tick. sped the message.
while Rhoda gazed fascinatedly mt the
one man who understood II. When she
had finished their eyes met again. but
his spoke only bold admiration be
fore which Rhoda's lashes sank.
After cutting the wires the men filed
out, engaged in muttered collequy.
Rhoda flung herself down, her head
upon her arms. Then, at the thought
OF ~. that might yet be. she drew
bright little revolver from the drawer
and held it tremblingly. A muflled
step and Telegraph Bill stood before
her. glanclng back apprehensively as
If to see IL he were watched.
The girls weapon flashed aimlessly.
With hoarse imprecation the man
lunged TO the floor, his temple striking
a broken drawhead. which fate. In the
person of Job Daily. bad cast into a
corner that afternoon. Blood gushed |
from two wounds. and he lay white
and motionless where he had fallen.
In Bhoda's ears was a running re-
verberation, She thought it was her
own heart till the deck lights OF a
freight whiZzed past. and then she knew
why the report of her shot had not |
brought the other men back. She !
crouchcd In her chair. hiding her eyes |
from that rigid white faced object with /
its ooZing blood. The wonted compan-
ionship of the sounder was gone. and |
the mournful signing of the pine trees
without seemed a ghostly requiem for
slain hope
After many hours, she thought. there |
came locomotives sharp cry. waking |
the mountain echoes: then the nearer |
rolling thunder of train. She heard |
the brake shoes grind upon the wheels.
and then oblivion infolded her. unpene.
trated by the hubbub of shouts and
firing which followed.
What she knew next was that Dave |
bent over her. pressing her dropping
head against the breast of his sooty |
coat The room was full Of men.
some Of them bound and gagged. |