Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-31
A Predicamcnt
Rev. Henry M. Wharton
Copyright, lsos by Daily Story Pub. Co.,.

TWAS sitting in our private car at
 the Terminal station, St. Louis, Mo. It must have been half past eleven at night, and such night. All day a bowling rainstorm had been beating down upon the city and the night closed in with gloom and mud, with pouring rain and driving wind.
 My partner had not come in, nor lad the porter; both were late and I was beginning to be anxious about them. Scores of trains and shifting engines pass in and out of the great station-and often persons have been killed in getting across the network of tracks.
 As I sat reading, I felt slight culver of the car. My office door which opens on the hall running from end to end of the car and near which I was sitting had been left opened. I listened eagerly. 1t could not be either of our party for they came always with well-known heavy step.
 As I listened I heard distinctly 2 gentle knock at the front door. In stantly I went to the door and there before me plainly visible through the glass stood a young lady. She looked at me with a pleading, anxious ex- pression, and at the same time mo- toned with her hand as if there was some> one behind her. l opened tho door and she stepped inside. Her waterproof was dripping with rain, though she carried an umbrella. Please lock the door," she said.
 I obeyed, and stood waiting for an explanation with increasing uneasi- ness and anxiety.
 "You do not know me-" She spoke hurriedly and excitedly. You do not know me, but know you. I live in Alton; have been here spending the day. I was starting home and waiting for the train. A man has been following me all the evening; I went out to supper with friend, he followed me there, he followed mo to the train, when I went in the car he went in and took seat near noe. I came out, he followed me, he is here now lurking between these cars. Oh, sir, can you protect me?"
 I assured her that I would do the best in my power to protect her and would she please take a seat. My partner would be in in few minutes and we would make her comfortable for the night.
 "Oh, no, no, no!'' she cried, T can not stay here. The train to Alton is gone. I have an uncle living near Forest Park. I must go there. Is it asking too much?"
 s'That I go with you?" interrupt ed. Certainly not; take seat, will get my macintosh and umbrella and be with you at once"
 When we stepped off the platform man like dark shadow disap- peared around the end of Pullman car. I had no weapon, not even a pocketknife. But the young woman was so pleasant and her manners were so easy and ladylike had no thought but to protect her and take her in safety to her uncle's home.
 We boarded an Eighteenth street car, changed to suburban and tray eled for nearly an hour.
 We talked together upon general subjects, noticed the people come and go and nothing unusual occurred un- til she looked back in the car, then suddenly in hoarse whisper said: "He is there, he is in this car on that back seat. Oh, am afraid he will wait for you and kill you. What shall we do?"
 I confess I was considerably dis turbed. Why should he> still pursue her when he knew I was with her?
 We were running through a dark narrow street known as the Right of Way when she touched the cleo tric button and stopped the car.
 'We get off here," she said as she rose.
 The man was gone, but I caught 8 glimpse of his retreating form going across an open lot along g. path which we followed also.
 There he goes!" she said, and shivered as she took my arm.
 The situation was growing more and more mysterious. We were in utter darkness. The rain was rattling upon my umbrella and the wind blowing gale. We passed into an alley, dark, narrow and repulsive, But for her appearance and conduct I should have gravely suspected foul play.
 We came out of the alley, however, in few minutes into well-lighted street.
 ''Ah,'' she said with good long breath, Eve are nearly there. That is the house, and I am so glad. Now you must come right in and sit few minutes I will introduce you to my uncle and tell him how good yoL have been. He is very nice. Come in"
 Feeling in no mood to go back into the fearful night and probably an encounter with a madman, I ac. cepted her invitation. She led me into brilliantly illuminated, parlor, where grand piano stood open, and handsome furniture and bric-a-brac with well-appointed portraits and other paintings made up very in viting place. ''Take a seat and ex .cuse me-" she said. II must get of 4I,oea x.,a4 o1otbaS S,,+r1I,oo