Omaha daily bee., 1914-09-06
IV-ANTICLIMAX-

Alan came to himself supported by Barcus-his
senses still Keeling from the conclusion of that
thunderbolt which he had so unwittingly loosed-
the cloud of sulphurous smoke not yet dissipated
by the wind
Judith lay at his feet, stunned: and round about
other figures OF men insensibe II not for all ha
could say, dead.
And then Barcus hustling him unceremo-
niously down the wharf
Come! Comet" he rallied Alan Pull your.
self together and keep stiff upper lip. Rose Is
waiting in the car, and If you don't want to be
arrested, you'll stir your stumps my son! That
explosion is going to bring the worthy burghers Of
New Bedford buzzing round our like a swarm
Of hornets!"
His prediction justified even before It was
made: already the nearby dwellings were vomiting
halfclothed humanity; already a score OF people
were galloping down toward the head Of the wharf:
and in their number policeman appeared as II
by magic. ...-.
And while the man hestated Alan grabbed him
by the shoulder. threw him bodily from the car
dropped into his seat cried a warning to Rose
and threw In the clutch. The machine responded
without jar: they we're hundred feet distant
from the scene OF the accident before Alan was
fairly settled in his place.
Yet his congratulations were premature: thew
were not ten minutes out OF the environs of the
city when Rose left her seat and knelt behind
his, to communicate the intelligence that they
were already being pursued
A heavy touring car she said Il was driven
by man, woman in the seat by his side
Judith the latter, the man an old employe of her
fathers by the name of Marrophat
Marrophat!
Alan remembered that one
He could only trust in his skill as a driver:
and skill is the lesser factor in such a race
AS they approached at express speed the stretch
where the road paralleed the tracks Alan sought
to hug the left hand side of the road but in vain
He heard the far hoottoot Of a freight loco
The sun swung in the heavens like a ball on a
string There was a crash, roar . There
was nothing-oblivion
The car had turned turtle pinning Rose and
"Alan!" she gasped. you are not killed."
And you?"
mot much"
The deep'throated roar OF the locomotive bel.
lowing danger silenced him. He closed his eyes
Then abruptly the weight was lifted from his
chest He saw a dragging Rose from under
the machine, and saw that the man was Mario
Plat And almost Immediately someone lifted his
head and shoulders. caught him with two hands
beneath his arm pits, and drew him clear of the
machine.
And the face of his rescuer was the face of
Judith Urine.
Well, If you must know-its true. can't bring
myself to kill you. l would to God could. But
l cant. For all that. you shall die-I
could not save you If would! And this l promise
you: you shall never Rose again before you
die"
And while he stood gaping, she swung from
him and ran, quickly covering the little distance
between him and the car
AS she jumped into this and dropped down upon
the seat beside her halfconscious sister Mario
PLAT swung the car away.
II vanished in dust-cloud as a throng OF ran.
road employees surrounded and assailed him with
clRmorous questions.
END OF CRACK o. DOOM.
. Ito be continued)