The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1882-11-29

with Dig plaid rug, and blue WOOL
en- veil tied over her head. l could
make nothing out except that she
seemed asleep in very uncomfort-
able attitude,
sat in the middle opposite the
cid woman. 1t was SO disagreeable,
finding her sharp eyes on me while
her needles clicked on just the same,
that | thought might as well pre-
tend to go to sleep, too. So I curled
myself up, and gave one or two mods,
and then dropped my face on my
arm so that she couldn't see it.
Presently l heard the needles going
slower and slower. l peeped, and
saw the big bonnet and sausage curls
giving a lurch forward and then
lbackward,.oncs twice; then a big
snore; and then she was oil, too.
/ didn't stir for minute, for l saw
that Sammy" was up to something.
He leant forward, and peeted at hor
as if to make sure she was quite
asleep; then cautiously groped in the
seat beside her, and hauled up a lit
tie black bag. He opened it softly,
drew out silver.topped flask, and
closed it just as a jerk of the train
aroused 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 u weary
grown she let stocking, needles aud
all go 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. I began to
look about, and think what l should
do first. Whether l dared get up on
the seat and see how the com mmunica-
tion with the guard worked, and
what would happen if pulled it. If
the train dill stop, could make off,
or say it was Sammy. He was half
tipsy now, and people wouldn't be.
lieve him. First of all | went to the
window to look out a little. 1t was
pitch dark outside, and all | could
see was the reflection Of the carriage,
and of the lady in the blue woOlen
veil. She was sitting up now, and
looking intently at me. Whatan un-
comfortable set they were, to be sure!
l looked around at her directly
She way very younger than
Lefty, and she's just seventeen, and
not pretty-but SO thin and fright
ened looking that l felt quite unhap,
py about her.
She fixed her big bright eyes on me,
and putup 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 wo-
man.
"If they get me to London, am a
dead woman. You are my last
chance, Will you help me?"
nodded very hard, indeed, and
looked at the communication with
the guard. She shook her head.
"No, that's no good. l must get
away at the next station. Heis safe
Can you stop her from following me?"
l didn't believe | could. | might
have thrown rug over Sammy, and
sat on him for minute or two; but
that old woman was to much for me.
l felt that directly she woke she'd
see what | was thinking Of, and
strangle me before l could stir. The
precious minutes were tlying-the
miles were hurring 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
if | can but get to them" she painted
Just one minutes chance-only
one"
All atonce had an idea. A splen
: did one! Look at this" 1 whisper
ed, and held up my railway key. 81
| 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 anG
a hndrn IN fin tOn ,nts of gnne in