Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1884-08-07
ward off danger from you on some oc-
casion. It's duty to me is done.''

ward off danger from you on some oc-
casion. It's duty to me is DONE"
Nab hesitated; but, seeing the disap-
pointed look on Mr.. Weir's face, she
took the little trinket, with smile of
thanks, and fastened it to one of her
bracelets. thought it bold, forward
thing to do: but l knew my opinion or
displeasure would. make but little differ
ence to my younger sister
1t was growing late as we drew near
the little station of Gimino, where we
should have to change carriages for San
Vito Our companions destination was
town further along the Gimino line; so
we should soon be obliged to separate
was secretly pleased; but to Mr.. Weir
and Nab the time was slipping away al
together too quickly. Arrived at Gimino
we made the very unpleasant discovery
that the San Vito train had gone on with
out US, and that there would be no other
till o'clock in the morning.
''What will you doS" asked Mr.. Weir.
~ have ten minutes to spare before my
train goes; If l could be Of any service
to you in engaging room at the hotel,
or in any other way, 1 should be most
happy"
81 think it would be better not to 60
to the hotel" said Nab; 1--WE should
never wake up for the early train. and
we have not the time to wait for the
next one
Eyes" I answered, 1--WE could get
some refreshment here. and stay in the
waiting room till our train comes. It is
II o'clock now, and the time is not so
very long. We can take comfortable
nap in the waiting-room."
Something in Mr.. Weir's manner be-
trayed that he did not quite approve of
our plan, but he was too polite to say
anything against it. He called a waiter
to attend to our wants, and, in answer
to the second sharp call from the loco
motive, took his leave, lingering long
over the hand-shake with Nab and dis
appeared in the darkness.
81 wish he hadn't gone l feel lonely
in this strange place" said Nab, with
little shiver
Nonsense, childl 1t would have
been obtrusive and indeGeate if he had
remained. You forget that we were
only friends of day. Why should he
alter his plans for us?"
Il spoke boldly; but I. too was very
i'll at ease. The little coffee-room was
gradually filling with rough-looking
men who watched us-the only women
in the place-furtively and curiously,
speaking language which we but little
understood. The hotel was mile dis
tant, and we could not take refuge in it
at that hour of the night, even if we had
known the way.
Nab, how foolish of you to wear
your diamond ring on journey Of this
kind-it attracts attentionm l said, in
an undertone, as the light caught the
brilliant on her finger when she raised
her coffee-cup.
| happened to glance out of the win
dow at that instant, and, to my horror
saw man with evil black eyes and griz-
zled hair staring intently at Nab and me
with wicked look about him which
could not forget. As I caught his eye
he skunk away in the darkness, and
presently the railway porter came to es-
cort us to the waiting-room.
'It is against the rules of the road to
allow the waiting room to be occupied
at night, " he began, shut if you will be
content without light, and with both
doors locked on the outside, 1 have no
objection to your waiting there for your
train. p
This was appalling, to be locked up
for five hours in shabby little Italian
waiting room in total darkness. BY
fleeing the man we prevailed upon himto
allow us to bolt the outer door on the in
side, so that we should feel little less
like prisoners.
The guard walks up and down the
platform till daylight, so you can feel
quite safe, " said the porter, consolingly,
as he wished rs goodnight and shut
the door of the dark little den upon us.
| fortunately bethought me of some
wax matches in the valise, and lighting
one for moment, we took in the situa-
tion-a mean little room, with door on
two sides, hard benches round the walls
and long table. Surely not an inviting
apartment for repose. We made our
selves as comfortable as the circumstan-
ces would permit, and tried to forget our
position in sleep. But l became prefer
naturally wakeful. Here were we, two
unprotected women, dropped down at
this little wayside station for all the long
night hours. Suspicious characters were
lurking about, and we might be robbed
and murdered without our friends ever
knowing of our fate. In the midst of
my cheerful reflections it consoled me a
little to see'the guard pass by slowly out
side at intervals, with his lantern gleam-
ing on the red band of his cap.
Suddenly, my ears sharpened by the
silence, ] heard stealthy step approach
the inner door of our prison, and the
quiet grating Of key in the lock was
distinctly audible. My heart seemed to
stop beating with fright, and then, to my
unspeakable horror, the door softly
opened and the eviI-looking man, with