The Halfpenny Marvel, Vol. 5, No. 109 — page 2: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

years ane ing <4 : | A, 7b J 4 it is i bos ¢ y te ISS ae, | CHAPTER Y. & errible Catastrophe—A Gallant ._Rescue—Fate Weaves the Web—The Dawn of Hope—A Mys- terious Thett—The Nameless Fower. “Ugh! what ea night!’ The speaker shuddered as, readjusting the warm travelling rug, he pulled up the lappet of his coat and wiped away the mist from the carriage window. © “Tf this be a sainple of your English climate, give me the Fast. Elot it may be, foggy never.” “1 beg your pardon, gir,” interposed the other occupant of the first-class smoker; “‘ Formosa—-yes, and some portions of tha mainland—-are subject to variations such as this,” “Ah! p traveller! May 1 ask to who J am indebted for the oorrection?’ in- quired the first speaker. “With pleasure. Gordon THaverlock that ig my name.” “And mine—~" Put ere the speaker could rectprooate the carriage rooked violently, described a sharp curve, and, plunging forward, crashed over the embankment aud splin- tered into fragments below. Shricks of agony and terror pieroed the raw night alv as men and women struggled through the wreckage, leaving behind the helpless and dying. The hoarse roar of escaping steam and the piteoua cries of {ie wounded increased the pamie. “Volunteers to the rescne!” shouted a stalwart, traveller. And immediately a dozen willing voices echoed the ery. “Hark!” oried the leader. And a chil of fear ran through the crowd. ©The wreckage is on fire!’’ eried one. “Then every man to his duty!’ re- sponded Gordon Haverlock, who, having escaped, had taken the’ lead. With ‘a loud cheer, the gallant little band dashed forward, “Help! help!’ cried a young girl im- prisened amongst the burning débris. Haverlock saw her peml, snd in an instant gained her side, Eixerting the whole of his splendid strength, he prised up the heavy beam which pinioned her. Quick! can you movef’’ he oried. “My arm; it is caught below!” she ex- claimed. “Abhv' The agomised cry was forced from her lips as, seeing the necessity of prompt action, Lluverlock Jifted the slender form, and, helding his burden in one atm, strove with the other to axtricate the imprisoned limb. After several fruitless attempts he suc- cceded, and just in the nick of time dragged bis, burden from the burning wreckage. he beam be had supported crashed down, Beattering the déhris and liberating the pry fiames beneath, Up they shot, sending a ruddy glow over the acene of tuin and degpair, | Stull the reseue-party worked on, augmented in numbers by the country folk; and seorgs of willing hands ex- trieated the injubed passengers from the hercely-burning pile. Some, alas! were past all hope, and breathed their last in the arms of weeping friends, F A hearty cheer wag raised as the last prisoner staggered to his feat. But no! Another yet remained | MARVEL, Vol. V.—No. 109. | ‘Yonder, in the rear! Look!” exclaimed a score of voiced. Lit up by the red glow, they could distinguish a half- demolished carriage, and inside a deathlike face, watching in speechless horror the angry flames leap barrier after barrier. | Haverlock uttered a cry of amazement, and rushed forward. ‘The imprisoned man had been his fellow-traveller, : “An axe! an axel” be eried. Someone handed the weapon across, and in a trice he clambered over the igniting wood, and aitempted to smash open the fost-closed door. i Blow after blow ho struck, but still the door held firm. The flames began to circla upward, whije thick volumes of smoke filled the carriage, and hid the terrified face from view. Suddenly the upper portion of the frame guve way. Baverlock plunged forward, caught the terrified maa ia Q ee ate oe er V2 TH ANGKY HISSé OF COUNTLRSS REPTIDES ... THR VERY GROUND ABOUT Eng SEEMED TO MOYR AND QULIVE&; WHILE ON CAME A DARK LIN NOISELESSLY OVER THE SURFACE, {5ce page 8.) Next week, tell your friends, the “ MARVEL” CHRISTMAS NUMBER, 4d., as usual. peal) PON SE v yoiee PAZ NENTS SERIES Th! (toh LT 13 im PaOh dis Me COMIC OOO