Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-20

ed my legs; looked my bravest. 81 have
nothing to answer l said. What l said
then you deserved
Say it again" He was beside now,
ugly and threatening, his beads of eyes
glowing fiXedly.
There's no need"
You're afrad!'
"As you like
"Bah-ye coward! You'd insult decent
people wi the world to back We: but you'd
stink away when they took We to task
That's your kind, me Ulster buckeen. L
know We, ye Orange spy! Be the Lord, but
I've mind to mark your countenance. Who
are you, sir, to sit there watchin' an lis
TENN without bein' asked?" He swung his
hand close to my face then dropped it and
with quick movement crossed the car
riage, dropped into the seat facing mine,
leant toward me and looked me straight
in the eyes. ''Who are ye at all?" he
asked, not questioning me much as him
self. who the divil yep
did not answer not knowing what to
say To speak truth, fear held my tongue
in thralL The man cOWed me. His voice
chilled my blood. He seemed capable of
any violence That sinister face of his,
long and thin, crafty and cruel, with it's
hard lips and wicked eyes, so tense, so in
scrutabe, 50 void of any good, drew all
my faculties toward it and Swallowed them
with something like terror.
who are YEP he said. questioning him
self the while his eyes pierced to my mar
row. "If [ thought we were His scruti-
ny went on silently for a minute; then
found words again. But you're not. No,
We haven't the look an we haven't the
pluck. You're too soft in the face an
white of the hand. What are ye?" Lean
ing forward, he took the book from my
hand, opened it and glanced at a page
Nav you're not a schoolmaster Mebbe
you're out of a bank. Mebbe you re-naw
you're no counter jumper He flung the
book the seat beside me- sat upright
and, crooking his elbows, caught a thumb
in oh WaiStcOat nOckef 81 I'll tell wi a
ye are said he, with q cock Of the head;
you're a bagman."
1 was anxious to humor the man, and I
suppose l nodded
q knew it, said Cara. gray smile
| lowering on his face; Il knew it the min
ute l clapped eyes on We. Thinks l. as l
sits beyond In the corner-ye thought I
couldn't see We because me eyes were shut
the lad with the book is only a bagman
on his rounds" He stopped, glanced up at
| the rack and below the seat. But where's
the bag?" asked he, suspicion quick again
| in his eyes.
I'm the van," said I.
law, to be sure-to be sure" Slowly he
spoke, his head wagging up and down;
then fell to fumbling in his pockets and
| brought out pipe. Stretching high his
arms. he yawned YEARLY and rubbed his
| eyes. "Heigho-heigho!''
! 1t was heartening to see the man in
softer mood My pulse took a steadier
| beat. Over my book 1 watched Phil probe
| the pipe bowl with finger. rap it upon his
knee, bring forth piece of tobacco and a
| long Nominated clasp-knife that held a
single blade Opening the knife, he rubbed
| the blade-a murderous. cleaning thing,
! with sharp point-upon his sleeve, and
began whiting the tobacco into his palm.
| 1t was then that, for the first time l no.
| ticed upon his right shirt cuff broad, dull
| stain. Suddenly he looked around; and
| following his gaze. saw Ned crouched in
| his corner. his hands spread and his eyes
fixed wide upon the knife. There was fear
and horror in his eyes, blank terror upon
| his face; and seeing him, Cara raised his
voice. I'VE, eternal fool! What's come over
down at the knife. then seized his
cap and flung it in Ned's face. "Ah, go to
| sleep wi we, for fool! Lie back an go
| to seep!' shouted he. And slowly Ned lay
| back.
Affairs were marching now. I forgot my
book, forgot that the sun was shining on
| the peaceful fields lying golden beyond the
hedges. With leaping pulse sat by the
| window, watching silently. Cara went for
| his cap, pausing breath to whisper in
! Ned's ear; came back and fell again to
| toward me he sat. elbows out and hands
| his lean, ready hands-busy between his
| knees. Suddenly he looked up and met my
| eyes,
"still watchin' % he said with grim
Eyes, answered I. striving to smile.
'Tm-Tm tired reading"
II know" He pressed the tobacco into
his pipe: then held out his hand with the
| knife lying open on his palm. THAT'S a
good knife said he. I nodded. Feel the
edge it has," he went on. and pushed the
blade, edge upward toward me. Relnc-
! family tried the blade with my thumb; 1t
! was keen razor. With a quick move
! ment he put it's point against my breast
| and pressed slightly. Just two inches
home" said he. "and you'd watch no
| more"
I sat quite still. my breath held "For
two pins I'd do it, said Cara, pressing
| again. IAN close your eyes forever. How
do know what We are? How do know
There was a sound Of shuffling feet in the
! further corner. and from his place Ned
Brady came quickly. his hands out and that
look of horror once more on his face. mo