Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1882-09-16

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 a few moments, though with
weary groan she let stocking, needles
and all go down with q run, and
dropped back sounder asleep than be-
fore.
Then from Slmmy's corner came n
gurgle-soft and low-many times re-
peated, tnen all was quiet.
Now was my time. began to look
about, and think what should do first
Whether dared get up on the seat and
see how the communication with the
guard worked, and what would happen
if pulled it. If the train did stop, I
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 out little.
1t was pitch dark outside, and all |
could see was the reflection of the car
riage, and of the lady in the blue woolen
veil. She was sitting up now, and look
ing intently at me. What an uncom-
Portable set they were. to be sure
looked round at her directly. She
was very young younger than Lefty,
and she's just seventeen, and not pretty
but so thin and frightened looking
that felt quite unhappy about her.
She fixed her big bright eyes on me,
and put mp her finger. Don't speak,
she said in a clear whisper. keep
looking out of the window. Can you
hear what am saying?'
nodded, and she went on, looking
now at me, and now at the old woman.
eff they get me to London, 1 am
dead woman. You are my last chance
Will You help me 2"
nodded very hard indeed, and looked
at the communication with the guard
She shook her head.
"No, that's no good. ! must get
away ut the next station. He is safe.
Can you stop her from following me- 2"
l didn't believe l could. 1 might
have thrown a rug over Sammy, and
sat on him for a minute or two; but
that old woman was tOo much for me. |
felt that directly she woke she'd see
what | was thinking of, aud strangle me
before | could stir. The precious min
utes were 1iying-the miles were hurry
ing past us in the outside gloom-the
girls big woeful eyes were fixed on me
in desperate appeal.
81 have friends who will save me il |
can but get to them," she painted
"Just one minutes chance only
one"
All at once l had an idea A splendid
one Look at this, l whispered, and
held up my railway key I'll open
this door, dare you go 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 sta.
ton. There you are on the Luckbor-
ough Road Do you hear?"
l was quite hot and out OF breath
with whispering all this as plain as |
could. She caught every word as fast as
l could think it almost.
What with the feeling of my own
cleverness; hatred of that nasty old
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.
NiNO n0 th"', Se'i", pointing 10
her blue veil. "They won't see you're
gone if l sit here with it over my head.
"Oh, no, no. They'll kill you.
mot they They can't interfere with
me-" [ declare, l felt as if l could
fight Sammy ana dozen old ladies'
them "Quiek now or never" l tied
the veil over my head and lowered the
window as softly as possible. There
vas no time to lose, for the train was
slsckening speed even then. | un-
locked the door. She gave me one
look that made me feel braver than
ever, and inclined to cry, both at once;
and III a second sne was ont on the step.
The train stopped. l saw her skirt fut-
ter in the stream of light that fell from
our open carriage door across the down
line of rails, and that was all-and was
huddled down under the big plaid rug
with the old woman wide-awake stand
ing over me.
"Drat the boy. Sammy, call the por-
ter; he's got out on the wrong side
"Call-un. we self, answered Sammy,
all in one word.
She pulled the door to and tramped
back to her seat, taking no more notice
Vi LuG IMAM IA l. Adil Itcn cuSftOQ OF
the carriage. cit don't matter if he has
broken his neck either" she muttered,
perhaps we'd better make no fuss. +"
The train was off again. I dared not
jump mp while she was in the way, and
thought | must take nay chance ut the
next station.
"Oh my bones and body !" she
groaned presently. "Ob, what time
it has been Sammy p
No answer.
Sammy She was up again, and 1
think she hauled him mp aud shook
him, for something fell with crash
like bottle.
"You idiot" she screamed. "When
you want all the brains you've got, and
more too To play me this trick
Serve you right if l get out and leave
you at the next station-ugh i'
1t sounded as if she were banging
his head against the carriage. That
and the fresh air seemed to rouse him.
lie got up and pui his head cut of the
window for short time, aud then re-
piled slowly and impressively:
Now, look here, old woman. None
OF your nonsense. When he's wanted.
Samuel Nixon is all there. And no
man alive cansay he isn't, )" he went on
solemnlJ holding on to one word till he
was sure of the next As to this
business, / ask you-Is it mine or is it
yours? Now then ?"
Yours, should think; as It's your