Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-04-27

4 y
and make him stop it,
Mrs. Larsen begged that he would
do nothing of the kind. She had not
noticed that he was staring at her.
At any rate, she was sure there was no
| occasion to make a scene.
Littlepage assured her that he was
not in the habit of making scenes
which could be embarrassing to vom-
en-. When he spoke to impertinent
people they obeyed him Without max
ing any loud objections. That was one
/ Feason why & gentleman should al
ways carry a revolver.
Presently the fat man got ND and
went out into the dining car. A few
minutes later Littlepage asked Mrs.
Larsen If she was ready TO dine. She
explained that she had eaten luncheon
Just before taking the train and did
not care for dinner. So LittlepaRe
went into the dining car by himself.
He debated whether he should accost
the fat man and hold him to account
for his impertinenees, but finally con-
Guided that he would hardly be justi.
ned under the circumstances.
While Littlepags was drinking his
coffee the fat man got up and walked
out OF the dining car into the sleeper.
Ten minutes later Littlepags followed.
AS he stepped into the sleeper he
stopped suddenly as If paralyzed by
what he saw. Up at the other end of
the car, where he had left Mrs. Lar
sen, she was still sitting, and in the
same seat with her was the fat man.
1t took Littlepage but second to de-
eide on plan OF action. The imperti-
nent wretch had evidently taken ad-
vantage of his absence to go over and
sit down by Mrs. Larsen. She was
only waiting for him to return and
relieve her of the man. Whatever he
did must be done quietly and without
making scene Of any kind. he took
his revolver from his hip pocket and
put 1T in the side pocket of his coat.
Then he walked as quietly as possible
up the aisle.
Just as he reached them Mrs. Lar
sen looked up. Littlepage recognized
an appealing look In her eyes.
20, Mr.. Littlepagel" she cried, In an
excited tone. All Littlepage's hot
southern blood was on fire In q mo-
ment. He drew out his revolver and
put the end of it under the fat mans
nose.
Don't worry, Mrs. Larsen" he said
at the same moment. "Ill take care
of him"
Mrs. Larsen glanced at the revolver
and promptly tainted away. The fat
man turned a CHASTITY gray shade and
attempted to demonstrate.
Don't say a word to me, whispered
Littlepage, in a low voice. "Coms
right along with nae. If you open your
mouth I'll blow your head Off"
In perfect silence and without at
tracing the attention of anybody in
the almost empty car, Littlepage led
his captive to the vsstibule at the
nearest end of the car. There, still
keeping silence, he opened the door
leading to the steps and pushed the fat
man down on the lowest step.
'Now jump" said Littlepage.
1t happened that the train was slow
ing up for a crossing, and the fat man
had comparatively little difficulty In
getting of. BE landed on his feet,
rolled over once or twice and finally
got up again before the train got out
Of sight.
Then Littlepage went back to the
aid OF beauty in distress. She was
still lying back In a dead faint. With
the assistance Of the conductor the
distracted Littlepage finally succeed.
ed IN bringing her back to her senses.
She looked up at Littlepage and shud-
dered.
Did you kill Cousin George 2" were
the first words she said.
What do you mean?" asked thu
astonished Littlspage.
Il saw you draw your revolver on
him just before I tainted" she ex-
planned. 'I hadn't seen him before /
for ten years. BE thought he recog-
nized me when he first came into the
car. and that was why he looked at me !
so closely. When he came back from
the dining car he got good look at |
me and made up his mind that he could |
not be mistaken. So he stopped and !
asked II / was not Angie Matthew.
That was my maiden name, and of !
course / knew he must be somebody
who knew me. I explained, and he |
told me his name. He Is my cousin.
George Elliot. What did you do with
him?"
He got off the train a few miles
down the road" Littlepage STAN
mered.
why, he told me he was going
through to New York. I believe Won
shot him and threw his body OF tho
car"
No" said Littlepage, che got of
without making any explanation. II
you're worried about him I'll get off !,
at the next station and see what's the
matter. I guess perhaps I'd better do
that anyway. Tribune.
A Wind That Blew.
You call this = stiff March wind p"
remarked my friend, Dan wevr;cb