The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1893-03-17

have gwen good deal for glimpse of
the mans face at that moment, but there
were no lights in the carriages.
When, after a few seconds, which
seemed to me so many hours, we
emerged into the sunlight again, per-
ceived with sigh of relief that the
man had seemingly subsidized into his
former state of morose sullenness. He
leaned back in his seat with his arms
folded and stared absently out of the
window, taking no further notice of his
companion, who gradually ceased cry
ing and begau to cast furtive glances at
him, as if apprehensive that she had
gone too far.
Twenty minutes later we ran into
station and the train stopped. Mutter
ing that he wanted u paper, the young
man sprang out of the carriage and
walked quickly toward the bookstall
My opportunity had come. Throwing
aside my handkerchief arose and leaned
toward the girl, who started violently
and then shrank timidly back.
Don't be alarmed, my poor child" |
said quickly, laying my hand reassur'
ingly upon her shoulder; ''you have a
friend close at hand | will not leave
you till have seen You to a place Of
safety. know all; have heard all" /
added in explanation, for her expression
was one of mingled terror and bewilder-
ment. you may rely upon me i'm
plicitly."
At this instant l saw our enemy APP
preaching and moved hastily back to
my seat, trying to look as though | had
merely been awakened from my slum-
bers by the stOppage. AS the train
started again | subsidized with sundry
yawns into my former attitude.
Noticed that the girl gazed at me
with a startled, perplexed expression,
and l feared that the poor child's i'm.
prudence would attract the attention of
her companion. | longed to make her
a sign to be more cautious, but thought
it better not to do so, and was consider.
ably relieved when the young man un.
folded his newspaper and became appar.
emily absorbed in its contents.
Presently, to my amazement and hor
ror, saw the girl suddenly lay her hand
upon the mans arm, put her lips close tC
his ear and proceed, as felt certain, t.
inform him of my discovery and offer Of
assistance. The man, after listening t.
her with a look of blank incredulity
4 turned and glanced at me with the mos
vindictive malignity in his eyes. coul(
not hear the words with which he ap
parently treasured the girl; but ont
painfully significant sentence reached
me-"Tll soon make short work of him.
Here was pleasing situation! knew
that the train would not stop for nearly
an hour, and in the meantime | wa
shut in with and practically helpless il
the hands Oh a cold blooded murderer
who, knowing me to be in possession o
his secret, was scarcely likely to let M
escape. The girl, in spite of her tear
and protestations, was evidently com
pletely under his influence and coul,
not be relied on to aid me with even he
feeble strength.
For a moment l contemplated des
perate leap from the carriage, but tn
prospect Of almost certain death was to
appalling. Then thought of the com
municator, but the railway authorities
with fine perception Of the fitness O
things, had placed this last resource G
the desperate outside and above tn
window of the carriage
Suddenly an idea flashed through m
mind. In a few minutes we shout
enter another short tunnel, and it wa
) Just possible that under cover of tn
noise and darkness might succeed i
grasping thu cord communicating wit
the engine driver or the guard.
Putting my arm stealthily out of tn
window pulled the cord with despe,
> ate force, sinking back into my seat jul
as we emerged from the tunnel, an
then, with thrill of intense relief,
u felt the train begin to slacken speed an
gradually come to a standstill. Tt
next moment the guard made his a.
pearance, looking wildly round the con
partment for signs of bloodshed {
violence.
"Mr. Murray he exclaimed, toucl
ing his cap differently to my enem
= "Was it you who stopped the trail
i STRIP
y mo-" l gasped, half choking wit
4 fear and anger, cit was II That man
a murderer, who has escaped justic
= and he has threatened me with violenc
:, My life is not safe, nor is that your
q lady's, u added, pointing to the girl, wi
y was gazing at me with well feigned a
g constituent.
y "Lor' bless you, sir" cried the guar
! with broad grin, "there must be son
- mistake! That's Mr.. Murray and /
- good lady. Mr.. Murray is one Of o.
: directors"
y "What has that to do with it?' {
= most shrieked. "What if he were fif
v directors? l tell you the man is a mt
p derer and has threatened my lifel Fet
a policeman"
= Benson" cried the young man befo
q the guard could answer, put that @
m lunatic into another carriage. He h
| already been annoying my wife with
s. idiotic impertinence, He's evident