The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-07-25
Double Deceit
BY A. ERNEST MARSTON.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.! Iy!5'NSyJl9|Ns|yl'

1T WAS q wild night. The rain
fell in drcnching torrents, driv-
inc the few who were awaiting the
coming Of the through express in
10 the depot, where they gathered
in shivering group around the
meager fire.
Outside, walking with quick, ner-
vous strides, back and forth upon
the covered platform, was a man en-
yeloped in a long, black macintosh.
The face was dark but handsome and
had an open expression that added
to its attractiveness. The eyes were
deep and lustrous; the hair was
dark and inclined to curl. He wore
no beard, but above the well formed
mouth was a curling, black muSache.
The stylish hat, the cut of his coat
and the distinctive air of culture
about the man marked him as belong
ing to the upper class. while the
firm, erect carriage and the very ex-
actness of the rapid, nervous steps
bespoke q military training.
The storm, continued with una
bated force and occasional gusts OF
wind swept across the platform, but
the man seemed not to notice II.
Now and then he would pause In
in his walk and glance into the ladies'
waiting room az though he were
looking for some one, then turn
away and continue his restless walk
ing. He stopped under the incan-
descent light and glanced hastily 81
his watch.
Seventh thirty" he muttered. THE
train is due in IS minutes. l wonder
il she is really going tonight
A carriage drew up at the rear OF
the depot and young lady alighted
glanced carelessly about her for
moment. then walked rapidly towards
the ladies' entrance. As she came
into the bright light, the man gave
start and stepped back into the
shadow of the building
Good gracious. there she is now!'
he exclaimed soto voce. Hope shs
didn't see me. II she thought / wal
spying upon her movements sh'
would despise me-"
He waited until she had disap
peared into the depot, then walke'
slowly up the platform, glancing eau
tiously into the waiting as n
passed the window. The younl
lady was evidently engaged in pur
chasing a ticket, and the man note'
the assurance with which she sc
about the matter. as though she ha
been accustomed to doing sue
things for herself which, he was cor
fident, she had not.
II wonder II she is going ava
alone" he unused. "She does NO
appear to be expecting anyone"
The man outside uoted every d.
tail of her neat travelling suit, whic
followed every curve of her perfet
figure. He noted, also. with fee
ing akin to jealousy, that she wa
being regarded with curious inteye'
by the men in the ticket office an
by commercial traveller, who ha
for some unexplainable reason II
vaded the ladies' waiting-roor
When the latter offered to ASST
the young lady with her coat, II
watcher could hardly restrain hir
self
The presuming cur" he said in
savage undertone. I've mind
call him to account for his II
pudence."
But events proved that the your
lady was capable of looking out 4
herself. The polite but dccisi
manner in which she declined .
proffered assistance convinced q
commercial man that for once
had made a mistake, and he sal
back in his seat with the console,
ness that his cgotism had receiv
severe blow.
"Gadl She is all right" he mi
tered, watching the young lady as $
swept gracefully across the room
As she opened the door and cal
out upon the platform, the man o.
side drew back into the shade
where he had watched her VIII
she walked To the other end OF
depot and back. Then he formed
sudden resolution.
she shall not 60 away in q
manner without a word" he y
with decision.
The young lady was Just turnl
when he stepped suddenly into vi
and stined scream escaped her
she recognized him.