The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-10-03

passenger fier which was |
down the yard on the |
track occupied by the Nadia. Within |
half car length of collision the air |
brake Missed, the side rods clanked
and chartered, and the shuddering
rolled gently backward to a
touch coupling with the presidents
car.
Eleanor's hand was on her cousins
arm. Howard, what does this
meanw she demanded
Nothing just at present. It is mere
" a precaution."
from AngelsT
mot now-not at all unless your
safety demands it." Then he rose and
spoke to the others. I'm sorry to
have to shut Of your moon vista with
that noisy beast, but it may be neces-
sary to move the car later on. Don't
get out of touch with the Nadia. any
of you, please"
He had vaulted the handrail and
was saying good night when Eleanor
left her chair and entered the car.
He was not greatly surprised to find
her waiting for him at the steps of the
forward vestibule when he had gone
so far on his way to his Office.
zone moment" she pleaded I'LL
be good. Howard. and know that
there is danger. Be very careful OF
yourself, won't you. for my sake?'
He stopped short, and his arms went
k,se $~pi
turned. and his rejoinder was almost
bitter
Eleanor, you must not! You tempt
me past endurance. Go back to Van,
to the others. and, whatever happens.
don't let any one leave the car"
'Tn do anything you say. only you
must tell me where you are going"
she insisted.
Certainly. am going up to my Of
fee, where you found me this after
noon. shall be there from this on If
you wish to send any word. I'll see
that you have a messenger. Goodby."
At the top Of the corridor stair Nc
Closkey was waiting for him.
"Judson has told you what's due to
happen?" Queried the trainmaster.
HE told me to look for swift trou-
BILE; that somebody had betras ed your
strike breaking scheme"
"He says they'll try to keep the east
bound freights from going OUT
THAT would be a small matter. But
we mustn't lose the moral effect OF
taking the first trick in the game
Are the sections all in line on the long
siding?"
Eyes"
Good Wen start them little
ahead of time and let them kill back
to schedule after they get out on the
road Send Bogard down with their
clearance orders and phone Benson at
the yard Office to couple them up into
one train, engine to the 3caboose in
front, and send them out solid When
they have cleared the danger limit
they can split up and take the proper
time intervals-ten minutes apart"
Call it DONE" said the trainmaster,
and he went to carry out the order.
Two minutes later Bogard, the night
relief operator off duty, darted out OF
the dispatchers room with the clear
ance cards for the three sections.
Lidgerwood stopped him in midfight.
Zone second, Robert When you
have done your Grand come back to
the presidents car, ask for Miss Brew
ster and say that sent you. Then
stay within call and be ready to do
whatever she wants you to do
Bogard did the first part Of his er-
rand swiftly. Synchronized as perfect
~ as If single throttle lever con.
trolled them ALL the three heavy
freight pullers Kissed, strained, belch-
ed fire, and the long train began to
move out.
It was Lidgerwood's challenge to
the outlaws, and as If the blasts of
the three tearing exhausts had been
| the signal it was awaiting the strike
| storm broke with the suddenness and
| fury of tropical hurricane. From q
hundred hiding places in the car
strewn yard men came running, some
| to swarm thickly upon the moving en-.
gines and cabooses, others swinging
| by the drawbacks to cut the air brake
hose.
Benson was swept aside and over
powered before he could strike blow
| Bogard, speeding across to take his
| post beside the Nadia, was struck
down before be could get clear of the
| pouring hornet swarm. Shots were
| fred; shrill yells arose. Into the midst
Of the clamor the great siren whistle
at the shops doomed out the fire alarm
and almost at the same instant red
glow, capped by rolling nimbus OF
sooty oil smoke, rose to beacon the
destruction already begun in the shor
yards. And while the roar of the siren
was still Earring upon the MINDLESS
night air the electric light circuits
were cut, leaving the yards and the
| Crows Nest in darkness and the fran
| tic battle for the trains to be lighted
only by the moon and the lurid glow
Of destruction spreading slowly under
its black canopy of smoke.
In the Crows Nest the sudden coup
Of the strikers had the effect which it.
originator had doubtless counted upon
| 1t was some minutes after the light:
were cut off and the Eruption ha6
swept past the captured and disabled
trains to the shops before Lideerwoof
could get his small garrison together
| and send it, with McCloskey for it:
| leader, to REINFORCE the shop guard
| which was preSuma bly, fighting deS