Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-01-14

passed, when at last the engine began
| to whistle and the train to 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.
1t was hard for the girls to realize at
| cnce that the danger was over; the reac-
ton after the great strain had such u
bewildering effect.
Angela found her voice first.
"Oh, "-she drew a deep breath
"what an escape we have had! He 10
| stark, staring mad"
ITO think of his rushing of like
that! We need not leave the carriage
now. Oh, it was dreadful while it last
ed" sighed Mollie.
He is evidently evading pursuit. I
hope he may be caught. Iwonder if we
ought to tell anyone about him, Mol
| lie?"
The girl had not decided the question
when the signal for departure was
given and the tvsin began to move. At
the moment thssa was rush and q
shout, the door was dragged open,
the bareheaded mSM precipitated HIM
self into his forme~ place in the car
riagc, breathless and painting. The
girls, literally paralyzed by the terror
of the awful surprise, were struck
dumb. They could not call for help I'M
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 il she saw them.
The man moved uneasily and cleared
his throat. Angela's heart beat wild
ly; the crisis had come.
II beg your pardon" he jer]ted out
the words in a peculiar and awkward
way-"I brighten your"
YES" she agreed, hastily. "You
did"
~ failed in my attempt, though I
ran half way through the town. I hope
to have better luck next time. I shall
try again at Birmingham, the next sta
ton"
"Oh! hope So Indeed, I am sure
you will succeed at Dillingham;
"You know the town? Then perhaps
you can direct me where to CO."
eyes, I know the town very WELL"
said Angela, boldly.
But how do you know what want ~
81 don't know what you want. Ger
tainly not. 1 haven't thought about it
at ALL"
"But you said you were sure would
succeed at birmingham"
"Yes-that is-no-that is, should
be very glad if you succeeded in what
ever it isl
Success would be very convenient"
he said, drolly. 81 was looking for q
halter" He gave short laugh. II sup
pose that does not surprise you, docs
it?"
NO." Angela managed to answer.
"Not at all; it is very nice-very nat
ural, I mean"
Mollie's heart gave first, faint throb
of hope on seeing how closely the luna
tic was attending to Angela's words.
To have his mind we'll fixed on Darling
ham was the best way of keeping dead
ly thoughts out of 1T.
"Do you know a halter? And can
you direct me to the shop?"
Certainly"
With his staring eyes fixed straight
before him, he began fumbling in his
pockets. From one of them he finally
produced small leather case. The eyes
of the girls followed his movements
with terror far more deadly than any
which had before possessed them. Mol
lies pupils dilated still more; the man
had drawn something from the case.
What was it--that thing clasped within
his hand? The lunatic's sudden draw
ing forth of razor from bag, his adj
dress to the other occupant Of the car
riage, II am about to sharpen this for
you. 1 have been studying your throati
it looks as if it would cut we'll"
II shall follow your directions close
ly," he paused in the doorway of the
carriage to say. Excuse me, have
not moment to lose. Au revoir, young
ladies'"
He disappeared from sight at once.
Angela's nerves broke down completely
in the sudden relation of the strain.
LET us call the porter. Quick, quick"
Even as she spoke the train-which
still had to make up for lost time-waa
in motion. For some awful instants
the girls eyes were riveted in agony on
the door.
1--WE are safe! safe at last! Heaven DO
thanked"
Next morning as Angela passed
through the hall, fly, with luggage,
drew up at the door. The interchanged
greetings, Hello, professor!" 'Well,
Toni" reached her ears. The first
voice was the squire's, hearty and well
coming; the sound of the second made
Angela start and turn abruptly round.
Descending from the vehicle appeared
~ lor- Thin with a Uannt facA