Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-11-03

windows from the flight She had, there
lore, only to think Of the door.
Quickly she reloaded the revolver she
had already empted. Then she placed
her fashlight on the windowsill so that
she could observe what was happening out
side.
Crash! came heavy body against the
door outside. The defences placed within
by Miss Vensel held good Aiming calm
ly, she fired Ckce through each panel Of
the door, Judging that she would have
good chance of hitting one or more Of the
men in that way
AS she could not see the man or men
outside. it was not surprising that she
did not hit any of them. But her action
had the effect OF convincing them that the
other side of the door was not safe place.
She heard shutting noise outside. Her
asSailants were crawling on all tours to
avoid being shot through the door.
She heard the shuffling pass down the
stairs. Then for a few moments there was
silence. Stella ventured to peer out Of
her window and caught glimpse Of the
men at the bottom of the tower.
She fired again at them, sending FIVE
shots from one revolver. She had now
fired ten shots Shelterlng themselves
behind a wooden fence and the corner
OF the tower, the bandits fired again and
again at her window.
Lille still and don't move hand or
we will come back later and kill you'll"
was the command one OF them yelled up
at her window.
Then, peering the edge Of her
window sill, Stella saw them move away
from her tower. They had decided that
they would not be able to carry out the
crime they had come there to commit II
they spent any more time fighting the
brave tower operator.
Stella Vensel had then won the first part
Of her battle. She had driven the bandits
from her tower.
But what was the object Of these des-
perate criminals, for which they risked
their own lives so recklessy? At first
she thought they had come to attack her.
but their actions quickly made her change
her mind.
Kneeling on the floor and peering over
the window sill, she saw them still at
work on the track short distance to
the north Of the tower She heard the
thud of ties rolling on the track and
in a fash she knew that train wrecting
was their object In few minutes a
fast freight train was due carrying ammu.
milton for the armies in Europe.
Stella Vensel turned to her table, threw
open all the wires and repeatedly flashed
Train wreckers! Rush help!"
These words flew over all the south
road Company. For a moment. which
seemed like hours to Stella Vensel, there
was silence.
Then came dots and dashes which
meant: Hold on! Help coming!" These
messages came frcu several operators in.
Guiding one only Il few miles away.
The bandits were going on with their
work, confident perhaps that they had
scared the brave girl into helplessness
She lighted her flash and peered out in
the darkness again. She could see that
they had just placed two -nore ties cross
wise on the track. They had now built a
formidable barrier which would certainly
wreck the train
shot from the bandits struck the
frame Of the window. Stella Vensel ex.
tinguished her lamp.
How many men might be wrecked on
the approaching train What munitions
or essential Importance to cur armies
might be lost!
These thoughts flashed through the
nina or the devoted and conscientious
Why had not the fusillade OF shots
brought help before this?