The Mena weekly star., 1897-01-13

cCnceuleu by the newspaper, tne pSdSc ful, 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. 4 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 n 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 haps he will fall asleep; he must be drowsy going over that paper so often"
 A smothered .'Oh!" answered An gela's well-meant attempt to reassure her sister.
 He's not a bit drowsy," she gasped. "I've just caught his eye over the news paper. And-and-he looked as if he -was-going -to-ta'k. Oh! what are we to do! Oh, Angala!"
 Angela had turned deadly pale, but her presence of mind did not desert her.
 Let us pretend to be admiring the view" she whispered. How lovely the light 0n those fields isl" she said, in louder tone, turning to the window. Do look, Mollie."
 He might spring on us"
 Look Angela severely interrupted the fatering whisper, "at that effect. Out of the window beside you, a 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, land 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- tOljiCS III NiulSts lSNCi lOHCy iHC 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 Eart in it, even with the most heroic eff forts, was very weak and disjointed Sometimes it broke off altogether, when 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 ss 1 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 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- | ton after the great strain had such d hewildering effect.
 Angela found her voice first.
 "Oh, h,"-she drew 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 ed!" sighed Mollie.
 He is evidently cvading pursuit. l hope he may be caught. wonder 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 a rush and shout, the door was dragged open, the bareheaded man preciptated 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 his throat. Angela's heart beat wild ly; the crisis had come.