Gilpin observer., 1901-01-17
s.a m1llard Hsss sank Imply into tho

I'm SO glad that you offered to &C.
company me-" she said frankly In a
pleased tone.
Willard wiped the perspiration from
his brow and cleared his throat.
IFS nice that you are going
straight through to New York." the lit
tie woman continued, apparently ,un-
conscious of the mans agony. "It's
monotonous travelling alone, especially
Tor woman"
Have you travelled fat?" Willard
managed to gasp.
when i reach New York, shall
have compassed the globe" she an
swered, a little touch Of pride In her
voice.
"Ah, indeed" There was evident
surprise in the mans exclamation. II
suppose
Tickets, pleasew The conductor
stood waiting. The little woman hand
ed over her ticket, while Willard ex-
tended the $10o check, saying, Let me
off ut the first station"
Cant accept that" the conductor
said gruffly, waving the check aside.
"Eighty-five cents IN silver, please"
Willard ran his hand into his pockets
in the vain hope OF finding the desired
amount. His search resulted IN bring
ing to view bunch Of keys, a quarter
and nickel. He was desperate. '1f
you will let me Off now he began,
when n sweet voice interrupted:
zone fare to New York" The little
woman in black handed the conductor
several pieces of gold as she spoke.
Willard tried to stnmmer a protest.
but the sound of his confused words
WAS drowned in the noise of the NOV
ing train. The conductor passed on
down the aisle, and, with grim smile,
the helpless author handed the check
to his companion.
Not now" she said, with little ges-
ture Of annoyance. when we get to
New York, you can settle with me-"
Was ever man before placed in like
position? Literally he was carried
away by n woman. And that hundred
dollars-his friends money-would go
for naught. They-Brooks and he
would have to sink together. The
thought was maddening. And yet he
could not feel angry with the sweet
faced little woman who was the cause
of all the trouble. But what could she
mean by insisting on his accompanying
her? Was she an adventures. an es-
capped lunatic or an innocent little stu
pid? He gave cautious, sidelong
glance at the mysterious creature.
Surely she looked neither bold nor dan
gerous as she sat there, her white,
plump hands clasped in her lap. He
could not see the expression on her
face. but the thick coil Of yellow hair
visible through the heavy veil did not
impress him with the thought that she
was stupid. What then?
Presently the woman opened her grip
and took out several magazines. do
you care to readY' she asked. offering
him one, the cover of which was
strangely familiar. 1t was the June is
sue Of The Blue OK.
"Thank your he answered, with a
self conscious air as he recognized the
book. He turned to the prize offer and
read 1t through. regardless Of the fact
that he knew 1t by heart, word by
word. As he sat thus, like n fash of
light in the darkness thought came.
to him that made his heart leap for
joy. II have 1.-THE idea" he cried to
himself. little of story. Kidnapped by
Woman" He pressed his hand
against the outside Of his coat to see II
his notebook was In his breast pocket.
Yes: 1t was there and his pencil too.
Excusing himself to the little woman
In black, who sat quite absorbed in
reading. he laid The Blue OK in his seat
and betook himself to the smoking car.
The mood was on. His thoughts
came thick and fast, and his fingers
fairly danced over the white sheets Of
paper. He felt that the story was 60
ing to be the best thing that he had
ever written. Success seemed certain.
His hopes went up to the highest notch.
He could feel the crisp $4,000 note in
his fingers. He saw his name in large
type on the cover of The Blue Ok. No
more 10 cent meals and threadbare
clothes for him or Brooks.
While the train stopped at the sta
ton for supper he sent the following
telegram to the artist:
"Safe on board train for New York.
Have found idea. Shall return soon"
Then he went back and seated him
self by the little woman in black. He
felt and acted like new man. He ac-
tunlly beamed with Joy. He expert
enced n wild desire to embrace his kid
napcr-the little woman who had CIV
en- him the idea. He grew talkative.
confidential. mirthful. He was tempt
ed to tell her about his story, but he
didn't. He compromised by telling her
about himself. And the little woman
listened and smiled. but she told him
nothing. not even her name.
As the train neared New York WILL
lard Hess began to wonder vaguely
what his kidnaper was going to do
with him on their arrival In that city.
For the SUCCESS of his story he wnntel