The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-27
TIE EVENING STORY
on &c BOSTON Express.

(By Edith j. HUBERT
Wentworth paused in the doorway |
and glanced carelessly over the car
Then he turned to the porter with an /
Involuntary sigh of relief.
Either OF these two vacant seats
will do" he said.
The porter consulted his book.
Number twelve is engaged, sab, but
you can have thirteen"
IAN right said Wentworth. taking
possession.
After his belongings had been
OF time and the dusky official had re-
treated. Wentworth looked At ms
watch.
"Ftve minutes to starting time ne
murmured, and no sign OF ner YET
for which fact the lady has my heart
felt gratitude.
cad. Won't Collins be in the deuce
of funk though! He seems to be un-
commonly keen over the affair; II
see what he says again.. Ana 1urnp-
ling in his pocket. he produced
crumpled slip of paDer.
Smoothing 1t out. he read halI
audibly: Look out for Annette BAN
on Boston Express. She has wind OF
the states intention to call her as a
witness in the Brent murder trial and
Is going to cross the border. Is about
twenty-five, and slender with brown
hair, and gray or blue eyes-unald
manner-dresses we'll but plainly
Get an interview with her. and find
out all she knows about the case
Don't let this sliDlshould be beat
other papers not on
Nice thing to foist on man just
starting on vacation, grumoied
Wentworth Anyway, I've been
through all the cars-they're ali
/ jammed-and there's no such person
/ in sight. That lets me out and
Jovel1
The porter had. come back, followed
1 by a heavily yelled young woman IN
] long. dark blue travelling coat. AS she
sank YEARLY into the seat opposite
! thirteen warning shrek came from
/ the great engine, and the train pumed
slowly out of the station.
Wentworth eyed her furtively. while
| the porter punctiliously arranged ner
luggage in the rack.
MY victim, undoubtedly" he solilo-
/ ouized. Poor child. I wonder II she
| thinks that covering her face with a
thick veil when the thermometer IS
eighty is a good way to escape notice ?
How had I best open I'D the attack
| Moral certainty alls very well. put
/ I'm afraid mine would become Shaky
If she should deny her identity. There s
something about the Doise Of her head
| that indicates she'd have the nerve 10
do it, too, and I've really nothing to
20 by COnfound that veil!
At this point small leather hand-
bag obligingly slid off the newcomer s
lap, and wentworth promptly present
ed it to her with his best bow.
THANK you" she murmuTed polite
~, but in tone that distinctly dis
| couraged any attempt at conversation
on his part He felt instinctively that
it would not be advisable even to make
any suggestions concerning the WIN
dow or the chair. He resumed his seat
and sullkily regarded the flying land
scaDe for several minutes.
When he turned again his vis-a-vis
had thrown back her veil. AS he look
ed at her wentworth found 1t difficult
to suppress an exclamation OF amaze
ment. She was SO like and yet SO IN
ike Collins terse description OF the
fugitive witness Slender she certain
" was: twenty-five she might be, al
though sixteen would seem nearer the
truth; and her manner was undoubt-
edly timid. But surely the phrase
'sbrown hair conveyed no adequate
conception Of those ripping, gold
f1ecked chestnut waves that swept
away from her broad, white brow, and
were gathered in a loose coll at the
nape of her neck; surely the man who
had told Collins about her gray or
blue ewes" never had picked vioIets
diamonded with dew OF an early May
morning. Surely no one but brute
could endure the thought Of the deli
cate pink of those softly rounded
cheeks deepening to scarlet, and those
exouisiteiy curved lips quivering under
the pitiless fire of crosse questioning
from half a dozen lawyers regarding
the hideous details of the Brent muir
der case.
The case of the state was sufficiently
strong without it. Justice would lose
nothing by her absence. Her flight
was not only entirely honorable; il
was q sacred duty she owed herself
and her family.
Fortunately she was safe enough
now Soon after passing the next sta
ton they would cross the line into
Connecticut. and there would be nc
question of further pursuit. II only
she were a shade more approachable
he was sure he could give her some
valuable advice in the matter.
At this point in his reflections the
train came to a full stop. why, We're
there already he muttered, glancinG
out of the window, and then involun-
tarily he smiled sympathetically at the
/ She. however. did not seem to be al
all in a mood to receive congratulations
She was very pale; her lips were witch
ing nervously; and when, just as the
the car followed by the conductor, ar
) expression of utter terror came into hei
= eyes.
t gether groundIess. The two men wen
! directly to her, and while the porter
= mur1nured consohngly. Now, don't you
be afraid, miss, no one amt gwine t
hurt you" the conductor produced {
telegraph form from which he read rap
. idly in a 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 instruction
are from police headquarters, so Their
: | is nothing for me to do but give yol
into custody at New Haven"
'sRubbish!" calculated Wentworth
before the girl could speak. IF you d.
!, any such fool thing as that you'll tint
e yourself in about the worst scrape yol
: ever tackled. This young lady ism
= charged with any crime, is she?"
The conductor shook his head doubt