The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-10-11

The other man answered briefly. The
motorman spoke In threatening tones.
The reply of the man called Beppo had
q surly sound. The other man turned
and addressed his followers. There
was hoarse shout Of disapproval.
Then the notorman suddenly drew a
revolver from an inner pocket and hold.
ing it up where all could see it, tapped
it significantly with his forehead.
"That's an obstinate gang" he told
Anna. "But I've given them something
to think about. They won't bother us
for while. At the same time, it Is
quite evident that car Number Sixteen
is besieged and that we can't get away.
You don't mind so very much. do
yOu?"
The girl suddenly smiled.
"Let me improve this armistice," she
said, "by covering up that disagreeable
cut"
He flushed little.
II think that would be very pleas.
ant" he said. "Thank you." And he
knelt by the seat.
The girl produced square Of court
plaster and tiny pair Of scissors from
her shopping bag, and deity and care.
fully covered the injured spot.
"IIe jests at scars" the motorman
laughingly quoted, "who never felt
sympathetic hand apply first aid to the
injured. There, I'm ready now for
Beppo and all his bandit crew."
The girl frowned little. This was
very presumptuOus young man. Just
then stone crashed against the near
est window, sending the glass over the
seat in shower, and Anna cried out
and suddenly clutched the motorman's
arm. The motorman drew himself
away and leaped from the vestibule
door and the girl heard the sharp
crack of the revolver. Then his voice
rose in sharp denunciation.
Presently he came back, smiling.
ut was cub of boy" he said.
"He crawled up behind the bushes.
But I gave him a fine scare as he
raced away"
The girl was little pale.
"And how long must we stay here?"
she asked again.
"That depends" he answered. "Those
fellows-don't be counted on to raise
the siege. and we can't get away until
help comes to us. Now I have an
idea that Jim Harrington-Jim is mas
ter of ceremonies up there ut Earlcliffe
will begin to get a little anxious
about the delay-they can't go ahead
without you, suppose-and he will
climb the lookout perch with a good
glass, and he'll see us stranded down
here in the valley, and then he'll coll
the boys together-they're quite
husky lot-and they'll get out car
and come after u.s."
A voice was hailing the car. The mo-
tOrman hurried out. A sharp and
quick conversation followed. The man
suddenly called to the girl. She stepped
to the vestibule.
'Nfiss Harmon" he said, "this fool
Of Beppo has threatened to rush the
car. He has put some of his fellows
behind us at the barricade yonder, and
when he gives the word they will rush
front and rear. Don't be frightened.
Tn telling you this because l want
you to understand what am going to
do" He threw his coat and hat into
the vestibule. II am going to capture
Beppo and bring him here and hold
him as hostage. I'll be on him be-
fore he knows what I'm up to-"
She suddenly put her hand on his
shoulder.
"I-1'm afraid for you," she stam-
mered.
He flushed and reached up and
pressed her hand.
And Just then hoarse whistle was
heard up the gorge.
The motorman quickly reached for
his coat.
"That's the relief train," he said.
'sThe siege is raised"
The besiegers wildly scattered Us the
relief car came up and score Of young
men leaped from 1t, and pulled away
the Instructions. One young man ran
forward.
"All right, Clint" he cried.
"All right, JIM"
sis Miss Harmon there3"
Then he whipped off his hat at sight
Of Anna.
"Don't wait, Jim." said the motor
man. "Get your car back as quickly az
you can. I'll follow close behind. We
mustn't keep them waiting"
"An right, Clint. Will you come
with us, Miss Harmon-we brought
some of the girls in the car-or will
you stay with the special?'
"Ill stay" said Anna.
They were on the way through thu