The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1917-10-04

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 a hoarse shout Of disapproval.
Then the motorman suddenly drew a
revolver from AZ inner pocket and hold
ing 1t 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 a while. At the same time, 1t is
quite evident that car Number Sixteen
Is besteged 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 a little.
II think that would be very pleas
ant" he said. ''Thank you" And he
knelt by the seat.
The girl produced a square Of court
plaster and a tiny pair of scissors from
her shopping bag, and deftly and care
fully covered the injured spot.
"He jests at scars" the motorman
laughingly quoted, "who felt a
sympathetic hand apply first aid to the
injured. There, I'm ready now for
Beppo and all his bandit crew."
The girl frowned a little. This was
a very pr%esumptuous young man. Just
then a stone crashed against the near
est window, sending the glass over the
seat in a 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 a sharp denunciation.
Presently he came back, smiling.
ut was a cub of a boy" he said.
HE crawled up behind the bushes.
But I gave him a fine scare as he
raced away"
The girl was q little pale.
"And how long must we stay here2'
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 at Earlclife
will begin to get a little anxious
about the delay-they can't go ahead
without you, I 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 call
the. boys together-they're quite q
husky lot-and they'll get out a car
and come after u.s."
Avoice 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.
"Miss Harmon" he said, "this fool
of a-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,
I'm telling, you this because I want
you to understand what I am going to
do" He threwrhis coat and hat into
the vestibule. II am going to capture
Beppo and bring him here and hold
him as a hostage. I'll be on him be-
fore he knows what I'm up to-"
She suddenly put her hand on his
shoulder.
"I-I'm afraid for you," she STAN.
mered.
He flushed and reached up and
pressed her hand.
And just then a hoarse whistle was
heard up the gorge.
The motorman quickly reached fol
his coat.
"That's the relief train," he said
1.-THE siege is raised"
The besiegers wildly scattered as the
relief car came up and a score of young
men leaped from 1t, and pulled away
the distractions. One young man ran
forward.
"All right, Clint7" he cried.
"All right, JIM"
us Miss Harmon there?"
Then he whipped off his hat at sight
of Anna.
Don't wait, Jim," said the motor
man. sect your a back as quickly al
you can. I'll follow close behind. W.
mustn't keep them waiting"
"All right, Clint. Will you cem4
with u.s., Miss Harmon-we broug6'
some Of the girls in the car-or vii
you stay with the special?"
I'LL stay" said Anna.
They were on the Way through th,