Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-01-28
Ilone
r Reading.

cluSnl u SuNoCh e>A
glimpse of the suspected stranger. he
lad turned again from the window, ana
was reopening the Times. Alas! Moiile
had not exaggerated, as fear sometimes
made her prone to do. The mans race
was dreadful in it's gaunt grimncss'
And then the staring eyes ana pare
head.
Angela could not but accept the stu
ition, as the more suspicious and tlmid
siollie had acceptedit. There was some
thing wrong with the man; he had all
the appearance of being a lunatic. Aw-
full though the thought might be, that
they were alone in the carriage with
mailman, it had to be faced. Angela
less helpless than Mollie, rapidly be-
ran to consider what could be done.
The train was not due to stop for at
least 20 minutes longer. Would the
quiet phase III which the man evidently
then was, last during that time?-a ter
rible and vital question. And If it did
not? Angela clenched her hands in the
agony of the thought, and thrust IT
from her resolutely. Better not TO
think of the worst, not to anticipate
situation which would find them help
less. The thing was to stave OFF danger
10 do all that they could to preserve
the mans present state of calm.
Angela made rapid mental review
Df ali her knowledge-principally gath
cred from sensational literature-con-
corning the insane. AS a result she
concluded that what they had to 40
now was to avoid everything which
could attract the mans notice, or ex-
rite him in any way. They must not 1or
the world, let him see them looking at
him, nor rouse any suspicious in his
mind that they were talking or think
ng of him. The difficulty was to com
mUnieate these decisions to Mollle With
cut exciting suspicion.
Angela first ventured q. swift glance
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
lecs were stretched across the carriage
would have been more reassuring were
1t not for the top of the bare head 'ha1
showed above. lie was quiet, however
\ elearl of hope kept up Angela's spirit.
Tbat 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. twas difficult to restore
her to the appearance of q moral state
to prevent her little gasps becoming
audible.
"1'rv 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,
Il nav not he so bad after all. II VIC do
nothing to attract his attention he VIII
not notice us. They often do not. Per-
hans he will fall asleep; he must be
drowsy going over that paper so often.
4 smothcred "oh!" answered An
gela's well-meant attempt to reassure
her sister.
Hes not a bit drowsy," she gasped.
GIVE Just caught his eye over the news
Paper. And-and-he looked as If he
-was-going-to-talk. On! what are
We to do! Oh, Angela!"
Angela had turned deadly pale, bu:
bar presence of mind did not desert
her.
"Let US pretend to be admiring the
view" she whispered. "How lovely the
light on those fields isl" she said, in q
louder tone, turning TO the window.
''Do look, Mollie."
Gle 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
rndertones, "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
part in it, even with the most heroic eff
forts, was very weak and disjointed.
Sometimes it broke off altogether, when
Il 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 as
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 TO slacken
speed, before pulling up in the station.
On :he instant the stop was made the
man sprang from the carriage and dis
appeared in the crowd on the platform.
II was hard for the girls to realize at
once that the danger was overt the reae-
lion after the great strain had such u
bewildering effect.
Angela found her voice first.
"Oh,"-she drew deep breath
what an escape we have had! 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. l
hope he may be caught. wonder if we
ought to tell anyone about him, Mol
lie?"
The girl had not decided the question
when the signal for departure was