Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-12-02
WRITTEN IN RED.

10 you think the lady noticed
him?"
May be so-may be. Anyhow.
Stern noticed her. We all did. How
could we help it7 Mufhed up. nervous,
hurrying on to her room"
Quite certain that In this unexpected
apparition OF policeman he had found
the cause Of the disappearance OF the
fugitive. Thomas set out once more on
mis- search.
The first trace OF what might per
chance prove to be the fugitive was
found. half an hour later. at a little
restaurant much frequented by early
marketmen not far from the water
side.
Yes. a woman like you describe
came here about four O'Clock this
morning" answered, to Thomas in
Quiries, the old man who kept the
place. "She took cup OF coffee and
sandwich and asked me the road to
Windsor Locks A very pleasant
spoken female. She thanked me kind
1y through her veil when showed her.
I told her she had better sit down and
refs awhile; that the streets and roads
were no place for a woman at that
hour. Then. II you1l believe Il. she
started up and ran away. She took
that street yonder toward East Hart
ford bridge. ! had half a mind to-
call after her that she was going the
wrong way II she wanted TO get to
Windsor Locks. but she was out Of
sight before a cat could wink. and I
couldn't leave the shop. Out OF her
head. you tell me? Poor creeturi"
The street which the reporter now
followed led directly TO the river and
the bridge separating the busy capital
from the quiet village OF East Hart
ford.
A sudden thought as he approached
the stream sent a chill TO his heart
He stopped at the boat house TO ask
II anybody had been seen 10 pass dur
ing the night. but no watch had been
kept After most perplexing uncer-
tainty for several moments. Thomas
decided 20 cross the river and seek for
developments in the little town be-
yond
milk wagon was Jogging on 20 the
accompaniment Of jlngling cans. as
Thomas turned into the broad main
street. IL halted at a pleasant farm
house not far from the river.
Just back from the city," asked
Thomas OF the pleasant-looking man.
with sun-tanned. hairy face. as he laid
the reins over the back OF his well-fed
bay.
Eyes, sir. II takes a goodish while
20 make my rounds"
Pardon my question. but II Is one
OF great interest and importance 20 me.
When did you set out?'
"A little after four"
And did you chance 20 meet a
woman. all wrapped up IN a cloak,
on your way over?''
"Ahl" answered the milkman. inter
ested at once. Il told Jim there was
something queer about her Yes. I
did see her, and stopped her, too. Just
about where you are standing sir"
The poor woman is not responsible
for what she is doing" said Thomas
II am searching for her now"
"Ah!" The milkman smacked his
lips In his eagerness. Take her in
charge eh?"
Thomas nodded
We'll, sir, she Is as quick a traveller
afoot as I ever see. man or woman;
and goodness only knows where she
has got 10 by this time. II was so un-
common 20 see such a figure that
took a pretty close note OF her hurry
ing along from the bridge. and l put
myself right in the way all OF sudden
on purpose. She gave a little fright
ened scream and put out her hand to
me appealing like. IL was as white s
hand as I ever see. SIR: Shea never
bound, poor thingi"
I'm not meaning you any harm
I says to her. while Jim, like an idiot.
stood staring at her over the gate with
his mouth open. But for young
woman like you to be racing along
mad-like at this hour Of the night. IL
isn't exactly the right thing. is 1t.
miss? I put 1t to you frankly. you
know She clasped her hands despair
ingly, and said: You don't know!
You can't know! Do not try To stop
Inc. for mercy's sake!' But see the
poor thing was well-nigh tagged out,
and just took her arm and walked
her into the kitchen. where my good
woman stood quite dumfounded. Sit
you down there I says. putting her
INTO a cnalT AT the table. BREAKFAST
hadn't been cleared away. as good luck
would have II. Wife says I. give the
girl as good a warm meal as you've
got. Now you must eat and drink;
you must make out a good breakfast
/ says. shaking my head at the girl. or
shan't let you go. II you don't want
us TO look at you. all right; Wen keep
away. But whatever your errand, you
need strength TO carry IL out"
Thomas was listening with impatient
eagerness, but he could not forbear a
word OF sincere thanks.
Don't mention H." said the farmer.
''Who could "A done different? Well.
20 make long story short, l watched
her eat, but / must say q canary bird
might have made out bigger break
fast than did this frightened, trem-
bling creature. We begged her to stay
and rest wife and huf abe wouldn't