The Worthington advance., 1899-12-22


fond of her. I suppose we ought to
have told you when we got on, but we
hoped she would take the journey
quietly. I assure you we will get off
if she is troublesome" and he sighed
deeply.
''Sad easel" murmured the conductor,
and moved away.
DR.. Herman Aldrich was in the
smoker at the time of the above inter-
view, but when the conductor came
through he stopped sociably and told
him of the case.
DR.. Aldrich was a warm friend of the
Hollands, but had never met Teresa's
cousin Maud. Had he dreamed who
she was his interest would have been
more than professional. AS it was he
hurried his cigar and went back to his
seat, which was next to Maud's. He
looked long at the girls regular pro-
file, and at last she turned her clear
eyes full on him.
In some way, best known by the
man who professed to be her uncle,
nearly all the people in the car had
become acquainted with the story Of
the insane lady, and wherever she
turned she met curious or plying
glances.
She grew more and more nervous,
and at last her composure gave way.
Rising, she was about to pass down
the car to the ladies' room, where she
could be free from these annoyances
and think what was best to be done.
She had taken only step or two
when the elder man was by her side.
He laid his hand firmly on her arm.
'Mattie,'' he said, 'you had better
sit right down.
At that moment there is no doubt
but what Maud Beecher acted insane.
She tore herself away from the man
and commanded him to let her pass.
She swore her name was not Matte,
and, glaring wildly round the car, be-
sought them all to save her from these
wretches. She begged to know if an
American lady could not travel alone
without being attacked by ruffians.
''Will nobody help me?'' she cried,
and, looking about, saw everyone gaz-
ing pityingly at her, but not one start
ed to her assistance. One woman
tainted, another had Mysteries and the
little conductor hustled up officiously
and said, quite loud enough for Maud
to hear: "She seems to be getting
violent. We are near Green Pond sta
ton, and think you will have to get
off here"
"What!" she cried, do you think
am crazy? Oh, my God!' And, sink
ing into her chair, she buried her face
in her hands.
AS the train slowed up the two men
took her by the arm and commenced
dragging her down the aisle. She
fought them inch by inch, but they
were strong men and she slight girl
of 20; so they had her at the door
when the train stopped. Suddenly her
face frightened.
20, there's Tom Holland-Tom! {!
Toni" she cried, struggling with re-
newed energy.
At that DR.. Aldrich's athletic form
blocked the stairway. ''If you know
Tom Holland" he said, II demand of
these gentlemen proof that they have
any right to coerce you in this way"
Before he reached the end of his SEN
tence he and the young girl occupied
the platform alone. Both men took to
their heels and have not been heard
of since. The young lady swayed for
ward and would have fallen but for
the doctors strong arm. He lifted her
down from the train and looked about
for Tom Holland, who had been on the
platform three minutes before.
The doctor had seen him at the same
instant Maud had cried out to him,
and, seizing his grip, had made a rush
for the door. He, too, was on his way
to Toms camping place, and decided,
on seeing him, that Tom had driven
down to Green Pond to intercept him.
Here was the doctor with an uncon-
scious lady in his arms and no one in
sight. His professional training made
him quite equal to the occasion, but
nevertheless it was awkward, and he
swore softly under his breath as he
carried Maud's limp form into the little
station house.
The station master brought him a
mug with some whisky in it, and he
succeeded in bringing Maud back to
consciousness. She sat up crying and
looking wildly about her. Finding her
dress loosened at her throat she
clutched wildly at her jewels, and find
ing all safe she looked in the faces
of the doctor and the station master.
"Who are you?" she cried. "You are
not the ones who carried me off,"
Then she called for Tom repeatedly
and sobbed out that if she had taken
Teresa's advice she would never have
come to this.
The doctor tried to reassure her, but
she would not be comforted. So he
sent the station master to find some one
who was willing to drive them to Toms
camp.
The doctor was far from comfortable.
No doubt this girl knew the Hollands,
but she might be crazy, nevertheless.
Her actions were suspicious enough.
Perhaps Tom Holland would not thank
bs'> for bringing this girl to the camp.