The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-01-16

On the instant the stop was made the
sprang from the carriage and dis.
appeared in the crowd on the platform.
Il 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 is
stark, staring mad"
ITO think of his rushing off like
that! We need not leave the carriage
now. Oh, it was dreadful while it last
Sd!" 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 train began to move At
the moment there was a rush and a
shout, the door was dragged open,
the b~areheaded man precipitated HIM
self into. his former place in the car
riage, breathless and painting. The
girls, literally paralyzed by the terror
of the awful surprise, were struck
dumb. They could not call for help IN
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
ly; the crisis had come.
81 beg your pardon" he jerked out
the words in a peculiar and awkward
way-"I brighten you?"
Yes" she agreed, hastily. You
did"
Il failed in my attempt, though L
ran half way through the town. Ihope
to nave better luck next time. 1 shall
try again at Birmingham, the next STA
ton"
"Oh! 1 hope so. Indeed, I am sure
you will succeed at Birmingham"
"You know the town? Then perhaps
you can direct me where TO GO"
lGS, i hlO" llAt IONI WY wig
said Angela. boldly.
But how do you know what l want?"
81 don't know what you ant Ger
tainly not. l haven't thought about It
at ALL"
"But you said you were sure l VIC I'D
succeed at Darlingham."
"Yes-that is-no-that is, should
be very glad if you succeeded in what
ever it is"
Success would be very convenient"
he said, drolly. 81 was looking for a
halter" He gave a short laugh. "lsup-
pose that does not surprise you, does
it?!"
"No," Angela managed to answer.
"Not at all; it is very nice-very nat
ural, I mean"
MolIie's heart rave a first, faint throh
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 car
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 a small leather case. The eye;
t Of the girls followed his movement;
with a terror far more deadly than any
which had before possessed them. Mol
} lies pupils dilated still more; the maj
: had drawn something from the case
: What was it-that thing clasped within
2 his hand? The lunatic's sudden draw
: ing forth of a razor from a bag, his ad
dress to the other occupant of the car
riage, Il am about to sharpen this iol
!, YOU. | have been studying your throat
it looks as if it would cut we'll"
4, 81 shall follow your directions close
w." he paused in the doorway OF tn
! carriage to say. Excuse me, 1 nav
not n moment to lose. Au reToir, youn:
e ladies'"
. He disappeared from sight at one
Anoela's nerves broke down completed.
t in the sudden relation of the strain.
Let us call the porter. Quick, quick.
Even as she spoke the train-whic.
still had to make up for lost time-Wa
c in motion. For some awful instant
the girls eyes were riveted in agony G
the door.
I'VE are safe! safe at last! Heaven b
thanked"
Next morning as Angela Passe
e through the hall, a fly, with luggage
e drew up at the door. The Interchange
Il greetings, Hello, professor!" Wei
'. Toni" reached her ears. The mrs
voice was the squire's, hearty and we
coming; the sound of the second mad
d Angela start and urn abruptly roun'
T. Descending from the vehicle apPeare
a long, thin figure, with a gaunt lax
and staring eyes. His head was ne
bare but covered by a soft hat. oti
- there was no mistakirg-the lunatlc.
n Some hours later the Treyors wei
K holding a private conference with III
N lady of Mapledene in her Doudol
Tears of laughter still filled the eye
of the latter.
81 cannot help it, girls, you mustn
70 mind. 1t is too killing" she san
ANYONE would have made the MI
q take. 1 never saw the nan until no,
Sncb q being. No wonder you though
" 10 London Punch.