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

SUI aA0 0Aus OAQ HAL Nc
woman was all of tremble when put
the ticket and the change in her hand
She mumbled out something or other
thank you, ! suppose-and ran to the.
train, although she had is minutes to
spare; that III o'clock express, you
know. Something wrong with her, OF
course?"
II don't know that. jim" answered
Thomas. cautiously. Il guess she can't
be the person l wanted. after ALL
The two parted excellent friends, as.
always. For an hour or more the re-
porter worked at his desk. Then he
curled up in his chair for a nap, I'M
pressing upon one OF the "night-owls"
there on duty TO wake him al 4:45.
without fail.
When the gong FLASHED at the AL
bany station at five the next morning.
among the passengers on that early
train-well-named recommendation
was MIR. Thomas. In one hand he held.
copy of the city edition of the morn
ing Globe. The other held a ticket to
Hartford.
1t was 10;30 before the Charter Oak.
city was reached. Mr. Thomas first
efforts brought him into contact with.
the Jehus OF the Connecticut capital.
II was not at all a difficult matter to.
find the whereabouts OF the solitary
hack driver who waited for a chance.
passenger on the night trains; but. Tom
Ludlow was asleep, and the repCrter
found the time on his hands until noon.
How are you. sir?" said Ludlow.
stretching himself and yawning as he
met the inquirer. who had been wait
ing FOR his awakening. Both were at
the door OF the hotel stable "A lady,
fare? Yes. She's safe enough. Friend
Of yours-relative2
Mr.. Thomas thereupon set forth.
with much earnestness. that he had
missed the young woman through an.
unavoidable accident. that they were
going 20 friend in Hartford. and that
he had been much disturbed over the
fact that she Gad been Obliged to make
the journey az night alone
Naturally be said. in closing. Il
am anxious enough about her. She's
timid girl; too young TO be out alone
like this. But I couldn't help 1t. 1.
hope you bestowed her safely some
where. At her friends. suppose?"
The coschman ficked a ny OF the.
post near which he was standing with
great accuracy.
You are wrong there. Her friends.
were out OF town The girl did not
know what TO do; cried and took on.
Course felt sorry for her. and drove
her TO the hotel. knowing the night
clerk, just said a word In his ear
that the lady was all right, and he
gave her a room. Curious. though
why she'd wrap herself up SO! | didn't.
get peek at her face at all"
She's not been well at ali recently
Fact Is. the journey was partly taken
on account OF her health" answered
the reporter. But I am greatly in
debted to you for the kindness yon
have shown her under these unfortun-
ate circumstances. Here's a two.dollar
bill to prove It. Take il, man: it's all
right. And now where is the LADY,"
In the house. yonder." returned
Ludlow, pointing with his whip. Il
registered her name as Miss Brown.
Boston The clerk will ind out for
you whether she is up yet"
The City hotel register bore the.
name. and the clerk listened with pro-
fessional courtesy to Mr.. Thomas
statement OF the case.
We've not seen her yet" he said.
Very likely. however. she may be up
and dressed by this time. I will send
up your card II you wish. 'FRONT.'"
Mr.. Thomas. taking blank card
from the pigeon-hole, wrote hurriedly
the following name. which q bell bow
soon carried TO room X:
Mr.. William c. Waterston."
Whoever she may be, she will be
frightened, ! suppose. at reading this
elaborate name" Thomas thought.
But must see her Mt all hazards"
In = moment the boy had returned.
bearing the card in bis hand.
Il knocked two or three times air
pretty Loud but couldn't make anyone
answer" be said. There wasn't q
sound In the room that / could hear
The sudden look OF alarm on Thorn
as face was not lost upon the clerk.
He glanced at the clock. and noted that
the hands pointed at hAlf-past IL.
Tell the chambermaid OF the floor
to open the room" he said.
While the order was being carried
out, Thomas stood motionless NJ the
desk. the prey Of q vague apprehen-
sion
II was the chambermaid herself who
came TO the Office with the key OF room
X In her hand.
There's no one In the room" she
declared. with esgerness. The bed
has not been slept in, and the woman
must have stolen away during the
night"
Mr.. Thomas looked blanl1ly into tho
clerks face. very slight lifting OF
the shoulders was the only comment
OF that functionary.
The reporter caught its meaning
The poor girl must be out OF her head.
and IL wandering about somewhere
ne said. Permit me TO pay the bill
for her lodging" The clerk bowed
Should she chance to return while I
am away" he added, you will detain
her' l am sure, courteously, but firmly.