The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-12-28


hair and gray or'blue eyes; timid man
ner; dresses we'll but plainly. Get an
interview with her and find out all she
knows about the case. Don't let this
slip. Should be a beat. Other papers
not on"
Mice thing to- foist on man just
starting on Il vacation" grumbled
Wentworth. Anyway I've been
through all the cars-they're all jam
med-and there's no such person in
sight That lets me out, aml-Jove.'
The porter had come back. followed
by Il heavily yelled young woman in a
long dark blue travelling coat. AS she
No. 10 warning shrek came from
the great engine, and the train pulled
slowly out of the station.
Wentworth eyed her frirtively, while
the porter punctiliously arranged her
luggage in the rack.
MY victim undoubtedly" he solilo-
quized Poor child, l wonder if she
thinks that covering her face with a
thick veil when the thermometer is
50 is Il good way to escape notice.
How had l best open up the attack
Moral certainty alrs very well, but I'm
afraid mine would become shaky if she
should deny her identity. There s
something about the puise of her head
that indicates she'd haze the nerve to
do it, too, and I've really nothing to
go by Confound that veilr'
AT this point small leather hand
bag obligingly slid off the newcomer
lap, and Wentworth promptly present
ed it to her with his 'best bow
Thank you," she murmured,politely
but in n tone that distinctly discourag-
ed any attempt at conversation on his
part He felt instinctively that it
would not be advisable evenito make
any suggestions concerning the Win
dow or the chair He resumed his seat
and sulkily regarded the dying land
scape for several minutes.
When he turned again. his vis-a-vis
had thrown back her veil AS he look
cd at her Wentworth found it difficult
to suppress an exclamation of amaze
J ment. She was 50 like and yet SO I'M
like Collins terse description of the
fugitive witness. Slender she certain
ly was; twenty-five she might be, al
though sixteen would seem nearer the
truth, and her manner was undoubted-
ly timid. But surely the phrase brown
hair conveyed no adequate conception
Of those ripping, gold tiecked chestnut
waves that swept away from her
broad white brow and We're gathered
in loose coil ut the nape of her neck
Surely the man who had told Collins
about her gray or blue eyes" never
had picked violets diamonded with the
dew of an early May morning. Surely
no one but brute could endure the
thought of the delicate pink of those
softly rounded cheeks deepening to
scarlet and those eXquisitely curved
lips quivering under the pitiless fire of
cross questioning from half a dozen
lawyers regarding the hideous details
Of the Brent murder case.
Her testimony was not essential. The
case of the state was sufficiently strong
without it. Justice would lose moth
ing by her absence. Her flight was not
only entirely honorable-it was sa-
cred duty she owed herself and her
family.
Fortunately she was safe enough
now. Soon after passing the next sta
tion they would cross the line into Con-
necticut, and there would be no ques-
ton Of further pursuit. If only she
were shade more approachable he
was sure he could give her some valua-
BILE advice in the matter.
At this point in his reflections the
train came to Il full stop. why, we're
there already" he muttered, CHANGING
out of the window, and then involun-
tarily he smiled sympathetically Mt the
girl.
She, however, did not seem to be at
all In mood to receive congratula-
tons. She was very pale; her lips were
twitching nervously, and when, Just as
the train started again, the porter en-
tered the car, followed by the conduct
or, an expression of utter terror came
Into her eyes.
Evidently her fears were not alto
directly TO her, and while the porter
murmurcd consolingly, Now, don't be
afraid, miss; no one amt gwine to
hurt you" the conductor produced a
telegraph form from which he read
rapidly in low tone.
Wentworth made no attempt to con-
ceal the fact that he was listening.
You see said the conductor, hand
ing her the paper, "these instructions
are from police headquarters, so there
Is nothing for Inc to do but give you
into custody at New Haven"
Rubbish calculated Wentworth
before the girl could speak. If you
do any such fool thing as that you'll
find yourself in about the worst scrape
you ever tackled. This young lady
isn't charged with any crime, is sheT'
The conductor shook his head doubt
fully.
"Of course not Well, you know
quite as well as l do that you can't
serve subpoena out of the state. It's
up to her to say whether she'll go back
and be witness In that beastly trial
or not. That wire didn't come from
police headquarters any more than you
did. Let me see It,"
Impressed by the decision Of his man.
ner, the conductor almost mechanical
ly complied with his demand.
"Just as l thought" pursued Miss
Blain's self constituted protector-"a
pure fake. Haven't even got her name
right. Spelled it with an r."
How should it be spelled?" asked
the porter.
"Why, with an n naturally" said
Wentworth, with whitening scorn.
"Do you know this gentleman" ask
ed the conductor, turning to the girl.
"I-that is she began helplessly
"Know me? Why, I'm one of her
best friends" interposed Wentworth
hastily, managing to give her elbow a
surreptitious pressure. IL came on this
train purposely to look after her, al
though she didn't know Of my inten-
ton