Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1882-09-21

her, and hauled up nItle Diack Dag.
He opened it softly, drew out a silver
topped flask, and closed it just jerk
of the train reused the old lady. Sammy
dived back into his corner; and she sat
bolt upright. rubbed her eyes hard, felt
suspiciously about till she found the
bag. slowed it away behind her, and
resumed her knitting. Only for few
moments, though; with a weary groan
she let stockings, needles and all 60
down with run, and dropped back
sounder asleep than before.
Then from Sammy's corner came a
gurgle-soft and low-many times re-
peated, then all was quiet.
Now was my time. l began to look
about, and think what 1 should do
first. Whether l dared get upon the
seat and see how the communication
with the guard worked, and what
would happen if pulled it. If the
train did stop, could make off, or say
it was Sammy. He was half-tipsy
now, and people wouldn't believe him.
First of all went to the window to
look ont little. 1t was pitch dark
outside, and all l could see was the
reflection of the carriage, and of the
lady in the blue woOllen veil. She was
sitting up now, and looking intently at
me. What an uncomfortable set they
were, to be surel
looked around at her directly. She
was very young-younger than Lefty,
and she's just seventeen, and not pref
ty-but so thin and frightened looking
that felt quite unhappy about her.
She fixed her big bright eyes on me,
and put up her finger. Don't speak,
she said in clear whisper. Keep
looking out of the window. Can you
hear what L am sayingY
nodded, and she went on, looking
now at me, and now at the old woman.
IF they get me to London, | am a
dead woman. You are my last chance.
Will you help mel?
l nodded very hard indeed, and look
ed at the communication with the
guard. She shook her head.
NO, that's no good. l must get
away at the next station. He is safe.
Can you stop her from following me p
didn't believe l could. l might
have thrown rug over Sammy, and
sat on him for minute or two; but
that old woman was too much for me.
l felt that directly she woke she'd see
what l was thinking of, and strangle
me before could stir. The precious
minutes were hying-the miles were
hurrying past us in the outside gloom
the girls big wosful eyes were fixed
on me in desperate appeal.
Il have friends who will save me if
1 can but get to them,' she painted.
Just one minutes chance-only one
All at once / had an idea. A splendid
one Look at this l whispered, and
held up my railway key. If l open
this door, dare you get out? You can
hold on outside till the train stops.
Run straight across the down line
There's only bank and hedge on
the top. Lots of gaps in it nearer the
station. There you are on the Luck.
borough Road. Do you hear?'
l was quite hot and out of breath
with whispering all this ~ plain as
could. She caught every word as fast
as could think it almost.
What with the feeling of my OWL
cleverness; hatred of that nasy ole
woman and delight in spiting her; and
pity for the poor girl, / felt as brave
as any fellow, however big, could do
and full of ideas as well.
Give me that l said, pointing Il
her blue veil. They won't see you're
gone if / sit here, with it tied over nay
head
'Oh, no, MOI They'll kill YOU
Not theyl They can't interfere will
me- IL declare, l felt as if l coult
fight Tammy and a dozen old ladiei
just then.) Quick! now or neverp
tied the veil over my head and lowered
the window as softly as possible. Their
was no time to lose, for the train wa
slackening speed even then. She CAV,
me one look that made me feel brave
than ever, and inclined to cry, both a
once; and in a second she was out OF
the step. The train stopped. l saw
her skirt fiutter in the stream of ligh
that fell from our open carriage doc
across the down line of rails, and tina
was all,-and was huddled down un
der the big plaid rug with the old wo
man wide-awake standing over me.
'Drat the boy, Sammy! Call the POI
ter; he's got out at the wrong sidel'
'Callun-yre-self," answered Sammy
all in one word.
She pulled the door to and trampe,
back to her seat, taking no more motto
of me than il had been a cushion O
the carriage. 1T don't matter if h
has broken his neck either she NUT
tered, perhaps we'd better make n
fuss The train was off again. dare
not Jump up while she was in the way
and thought l must take my chance a
the next station.
oh! my bones and bodyp she groane
presently. oh, what time it has beer
Sammy
No answer.
Sammy She was up again, and
think she hauled him up and shoe
: him, for something fell with cras
like a broken bottle.
you IDIOT she screamed. 'Whe
| Won want all tha hrains vou'va pOt an