The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-01-15
THE MAN In THE TRAIN

the Tedcroft Junction when TWO
's,r,s rushed into the station. Ihey mao
r., lime 10 hurry into the first car
los. ~ hand and have their bags and
.ugs bundled in after them, when 'he
.'h,stle sounded and the train started
.Irny / hate rush." exclaimed An
o,a Trevor. the elder of the two SIS
rs handsome, notwithstanding GIRL
Ia sank breathless into her place.
~, Is so upsetting to ones nerves.
.nisarranges ones clothes, too" added
Molly.
% select carriage for such long Jour
newt" said Angela.
Roth glanced involuntarly to the other
and OF the carriage. where their one
solow traveller sat in the corner seat
,ha same side with Angela Ills
taad and face were hidden from view
~. the ample pages Of the Times spread
~, before him. Two long. tweed-clad
Ices were stretched out, finished win
aattish feet in well-finished boots. ~
the side glimpses showed of shoulder,
an arm. and thin, nervous-looklng
hand
~ue looks all right" Molly said, care
,essly thrusting a hairpin into her back
hair
Vndeniably a gentleman" said An
cela with decision. 'lle has a good
,aior and his boots are unexceptional.
The girls settled down for the journey,
attracting from among the surrounding
impedimenta the usual literary soiaces
in the way of newspapers and wildly
hound books. First, however, they
talked over in low tones the visit on
which they were going in Yorkshire.
Their hostess was friend and CON
temporary. who had lately married the
squire of Mapledene. The girls were
full Of excitement. surmise and pleasant
anticipations regarding the visit to
their friend in her new place and posi-
ton. 1t was some time uefore the How
Of conversation ceased, and they took
up their books. Angela was soon en-
gagged in following the unwholesome
career of a modern heroine through al
its risky intricaces. Mollie had chance,
on a volume of short stories. plainly IN
spired by the triumphs OF sherlocF
Holmes. They were full of CHASTITY adj
ventures with criminals and lunatics'
the situations. though infinite In va
riety. were all alike thrilling and blood
curdling. Mollie's youthful magma
ton took fire; one story. an adventure
with a lunatic in railway carriage, es
pecially excited her. 1t was not par
ticuarly happy selection for railwa.
journey. She looked up from the page
with a shudder. her blood running COLO
II was only in books, however, tina
awful. creepy adventures happened I
travellers. She had never known rea
nersou who was unlucky enough t
meet a criminal or lunatic in tram
As the reassuring thought entered ne
mind. her eyes wandered TO the lar en-
of the carriage. They unexpectedly me
those of the man in the corner seat
the shock was sharp and violent. II
was sitting up, the Times folded on nj
knees, allowing his whole face TO .
seen. Such face! Just like so man
of those described in the stories Molil
had been reading. The coincidence wa
extraordinary anu St1i tii"r. -~
imagination rushed off on a series
Wild flights, and she drew quickly bac
covering behind her book. She Ia
never seen a stranger looking maj
hollow-cheeked, gaunt, grim, but, abo'
all. with the most peculiar eyes, su'
ing and prominent. She had so little e
pected such development in the hari
less-looking man behind the Times tn
the shock and surprise were very grea
She retained, however, self-contr
enough not to appeal to Angela on u
impulse of the moment. Moiile W
used to having fears ridiculed. >
therefore decided to wait before Il
ing any alarm, for it was possible IN
her excited imagination was runnil
away with her.
After few minutes She ventured
peep cautiously from behind her DOC
The man had turned away, and
looking out of the window. the gau
face only showing in profile. Mol
breathed more freely, relieved ire
the stare of those terrible eyes; she ma
auuick. close study Of the stranger.
the scrutiny progressed, however,
other change came over her face-'
composure she had regained began
diminish rapidly. Her eyes noted
mans bare head, then went from II
the rack above, to the seat opposite
the floor. No trace of hat or hat D.
of bags. rugs or luggage OF any kl
could she discover. Her heart ste
still. Who but an escaped lunauc
criminal would be travelling hatless
without baggage? The CHASTITY ide
vague before, now took terrible and q
mite shape. She bent quickly acr
and touched the unconscious Ang'
whom the doubtful hcroine's adv
lures still held wholly absorbed.
"Take care" Mollie whisper
Don't start and look around. W
to tell you something"
Good gracious! What has happen
Are you ill.,"
Angela, 30 suddenly aroused II
her reading, found II hard not to
claim aloud at her sisters words