The log cabin Democrat., 1914-12-04

own eyes glittering with malicious '@ umph and with avarice.
 Thompson croucbed back in hls coin- partment. feigning deep slumber wniie the coored porter made up nis oe"' Immediately the porter disappeared he became the incarnation Of energy hlS hands nervously fumbled with the JOCK of his grip, opening it finally ana uiS closing secret trap in the bottom. from which he took an atomizer, par of nippers and a bottle of pale Vlscla fluid.
 For an hour he waited. motionless' not even his fixed eyes blinking as he regarded the curtains of the berth Lu' ellie occupied.
 He was swift; he was certain: no was sure. Deftly parting the curtains. he looked down upon the sleeping glrl' No atom of pity was ip his heart. All tue thief now, his eyes glittered as he allowed them to rest upon the glowing Nrand of stones about her neck.
 Swiftly he leaned over, applying his pinchers to the gas jet and unscrew- ing 1t so that the Odor Of the gas slowly began filling the stuffy section. Then he gently sprayed the ether across her face, never moving when she un- consciously stirred to fight off the an aesthetic.
 Her breathing became heavier While her lips took on bluish tinge. The gas was becoming stronger, and he knew her condition would be ascribed to asphyxiation when she recovered from the effects of the ether. Stoop Ing, with no appearance of care now, he unfastened the rubies from her throat. A moment he waited, slipping them in his pocket, then he slipped back to his own compartment.
 Carefully he repacked his grip tuck Ing the necklace in his breast pocket. Against the door he crouched waiting.
 No trace of anxiety he showed, lie was confident of himself. Came a clamping down upon the ties as the air brakes worked Thompson threw open his window. looking out to dis cover it was opposite tiny station. With pocket knife he cut out the screen that separated him from the tracks.
 Cautiously he looked up and down the track. The train was slowing down. He tossed his bag far out from him, then slipped partially through the window. The lights of the station were almost in his eyes when he jump ed, landing on his feet and regaining his balance with an effort. Then he permitted himself the luxury of a smile.
 The next train through would be time enough, and the booty iu his breast pocket was worth many risks.
 Lucille felt herself struggling with a desperate enemy, one whose fingers were of steel as they fastened them selves about her throat, grasped at her breath and held it despite her utmost efforts Even in the effort to waken, ed to recognize the calm. imperturba- ble, businesslike features of Thompson.
 Then she felt sensation of ease and comfort and peace such as had not been hers for long time, and she al lowed herself to drift away upon the gentle flowing river that hummed its song in her ears.
 She awakened to find herself being shaken violently by the conductor and porter. whose ebony face had chang ed to a saffron shade. Her head ached so fearfully that she pressed her fever ish palms to her temples to keep 1t from bursting. Her throat and mouth felt as though she had been subs!sting upon a diet of cotton soaked in oil.
 She staggered to her feet and stood. dazed and bewildered, in the aisle of the car The conductor turned her over to two women, who stood with her upon the platform, supporting her trembling figure while the fresh air drove away the fumes of chloroform and gas to which she had been sub jected.
 First she felt the rush of the train, the dotting of lights In the distance, the rush of the train past the lights, only to come upon new cluster And she was rushing. rushing, rushing, just like these lights to a cavernous black ness which she could not describe even to herself
 Suddenly the reason for her being upon the train came to her, and her hands sought her breast, then her throat. With little cry she staggered back into the arms of the women.
 Robbed" she gasped. '1 have been robbed!'
 The women looked at one another Nfvytn nfv1v khn,, I,,I-