The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1914-12-17


umph and with avarice.
Thompson crouched back in his com
partment, feigning deep slumber while
the colored porter made up his bed
Immediately the porter disappeared be
became the incarnation of energy. His
hands nervously fumbled with the lock
Of his grip, opening it finally and dis
closing a. secret trap I'm the bottom
from which he took an atomizer, a pair
OF nippers and bottle of pale viscld
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; he
was sure. Deity parting the curtains.
he looked down upon the sleeping girl.
No atom of pity was in his heart. All
the thief now, his eyes glittered as he
allowed them to rest upon the glowing
strand of stones about her neck.
Swiftly he leaned over, applying his
pinchers to the gas jet and unscrew-
ing it 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 IN
consciously stirred to fight of the an
aesthetic.
Her breathing became heavier while
her lips took on blush 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. He
was confident of himself. Came
clamping down upon the ties as the
air brakes worked. Thompson threw
open his window. looking out to dis
cover 1t was opposite Il 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
smile.
The next train through would be
time enough, and the booty in 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 1t despite her utmost
efforts. Even in the effort to waken.
unsuccessful though 1t was. she seem
ed to recognize the calm. imperturba-
bic, 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 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 subsisting
upon 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 bIackness
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.
"Robbedl" she gasped. y have been
robbedl''
The women looked at one another
pityingly, then incredulousiy and flnal
y bsaievinsly as'they caught the pallar
and sanity On the girls faee sum.
moning All her strength. she turned the
knob Of the ie0r and sought the con.
auetor. He Locked inerednlous at the
girls ehsrss bat investigates Showed
that the lszht Aad bsen tAnaperad With.
Nothing. however. cnilla Be- aane ~
pee nssehsus Hao BtaAcIeco sscspk :