The Flagstaff sun-democrat., 1897-01-14
from behind her book to the other end

from behind her book to the other end of the carriage. The man was again concealed by the newspaper; the peace full, ordinary way in which his long legs were stretched across the carriage would have been more reassuring were it not for the top of the bare head that showed above. He was quiet. however. A gleam of hope kept up Angela's spirit. That calm state, if undisturbed, might very we'll last until their arrival at the next station.
 She snatched the opportunity to stoop over and communicate with the trem- bling Mollie. It was difficult to restore her to the appearance of a moral state to prevent her little gasps becoming audible.
 "1ry not to look so frightened. for heavens sake, Mollie," Angela softly whispered. Quiet and calm are our best chance. Don't give way like that, it may not be so bad after all. If we do nothing to attract his attention he will not notice us. They often do not. Per taps he will fall asleep; he must be drowsy going over that paper so often."
 A smothered "Oh!" answered An gela's wcll-meant attempt to reassure her sister.
 "He's not bit drowsy," she gasped. "I've just caught his eye over the news paper. And-and-he looked as if he -was-going-to-taik. Oh! what are ,ya fo dot Oh AnD..lal"
 Angela had turned deadly pale, bu. her presence of mind did not desert her.
 "Let us pretend to be admiring the view," she whispered. "How lovely the light vn those fields isl" she said. in a louder tone, turning to the window. Do look, Mollie."
 "Hc might spring on us"
 "Look," Angela severely interrupted the faltering whisper, "at that effect. Out of the window beside you, little to the right; the shadows on the trees"
 "Yes--yes-I-see."
 "Go on looking. and talking about what you see," admonished Angela in nndertones, "and when you can think of nothing more to say we will go on to the weather, and to Yorkshire, and the hours of arrival at the stations"
 She gave the lead. taking up the pre- scribed topics in quiet, level tone, the least calculated to arouse interest and attention. Her ears, all the time, were fairly alert, listening for the slightest sound from the other end of the carriage. The chief burden of the conversation rested on her, for Mollie's rart in it, even with the most heroic eff forts. was very weak and disjointed. Sometimes it broke off altogether, when a rustic, Or movement in the far corner, made her teeth chatter and all power of speech fail. Though the stronger minded Angela's heart beat just us quickly at these awful moments, she always rose to the emergency and kept up the discourse with unvarying calm ness.
 To those, stretched in agony upon a rack, minutes are as hours. Never had the sisters dreamed that 20 minutes could be drawn out to such dreadful length. Ten times 20 seemed to have passed. when at last the engine began to whistle and the train 10 slacken speed. before pulling up in the station. On the instant the stop was made the man sprang from the carriage and dis appeared in the crowd on the platform. It was hard for the girls to realize ut cnce that the danger was over; the reac- tion after the great strain had such a kewildering effect.
 Angela found her voice first.
 "Oh,"-she drew deep breath "what an escape we have hadl He is stark, staring mad"
 ''To think of his rushing off like that! We need not leave the carriage now. Oh, it was dreadful while it last ed!" sighed Mollie.
 "He is evidently evading pursuit. hope he may be caught. Iwonder if we ought to tell anyone about him, Mol. l:e?"
 The girl had not decided the question when the signal for departure was given and the train began to move. At the moment there was rush and a shout, the door was dragged open, the bareheaded man precipitated him self into his former place in the car riage, breathless and panting. The girls, literally paralyzed by the terror of the awful surprise, were struck dumb. They could not call for help un- til it was too late and the station had been left behind.
 Several moments passed in silence. Although Angela did not look, she felt the staring eyes fixed on her, as surely as if she saw them.
 The man moved uneasily and cleared