The Saint Paul globe., 1902-11-25
Jhe Night Attack.
By W. R. ROSE.

man, with a winning smile.
The man in the rear seat touched
him on the shoulder.
You'll excuse me-" he quietly said,
but this young lady is in my charge"
The girl slightly started, and the
stout man looked around with a scowl.
''Ehi )" he grow1ed. In your charge? ?'
YES" said the other man, sharply,
with his face still advanced. His gray
eyes snapped. That's enough, isn't
it?''
The eyes of the stout man wavered.
He turned back. Presently he stood
up, and slouching along the aisle, pass
ed through the forward door. The
man in the rear seat7leaned back. Then
he suddenly arose, and stepping into
the aisle, picked, up the stout mans
valise and placed it on the seat he
had just vacated. Then he took his
and put them on the floor in front
of the seat the girl was occupying. His
movements were quick and the change
was not the work of a moment.
IF you don't mind, I'll ssit here" he
said. ''It may serve to keep off in
terlopers." sY
And scarcely pausing to catch the
slight nod of the girls head, he seated
himself beside her. Then he leaned
back comfortably, and drawing time
table from his pocket began TRACING
the progress of the train.
Presently the girl turned a little and
locked at him. HeAhad good face,
she fancied It was a. aittle pale and
somewhat thin, and fhis eyes had a
hollow LOOKOUT they were bright eyes
and his chin showed q resolute square
ness. He was nearing thirty, she guess
ed-a man who had seen something
of the world, and plainly showed it in
his appearance.
The girl pushed her veil little
higher.
ssThanls you" she softly said.
He did not look up.
you are quite welcome
The girl frowned a little and leaned
back For few moments she listened
to the nlonotonolis humping of the
train. Thea she looked round again.
Il think you are a gentleman" she
said
ST hope So" he answered briefly and
went on with his time table.
'1 want you to know she persisted,
that I am grateful for your interfer-
ence few moments ago."
IF people will send children on such
lonely rides as this the man remark
ed, his eyes still on the pamphlet, Il
fancy it's the duty of we'll meaning men
to take an interest in their welfare"
.'But Tn not a clii1d," said the girl.
He turned and looked at her and lift
ed his hat ~
81 beg your pardon, sshe said. 1T was
a natural mistake. There was some
thing about your-your hair, and your
girlish appearance that gave me the
impression that you might still be in
school" ss51
Il haven't been out very long," said
the girl, with a pleasant laugh, but
am nearly twenty-one."
My interference just now was large
ly based on the belief that you were q
mere child" he said. q should be sor-
ry to have you consider me presump-
tuous."
81 have already thanked you," said
the girl.
Eyes, I remember he said and look
ed back to his time table.
The girl watched him for a moment
or two.
Don't you think" she said, chat if
I am in your charge 1t would look a
little more reasonable five appeared to
be on friendly terms ~
He dropped his time table with a
quick laugh.
That's good reasoning" he said,
s"and very pleasant reasoning, too. It
it doubly pleasant to me because
have not had the blessed opportunity
of meeting young ladies of my tongue
and color for many dreary months
Then you are fond of little girls z"
He laughed again.