The Press., 1907-01-02
On tbe Boston \ GFpress
 By EDITH J. HUBERT Copyright, 1908, by Homer Sprague

Copyright, 1908, by Homer Sprague i Wentworth paused In the doorway
 and glanced carelessly over the car
 Then he turned to the porter with an i involuntary sigh of relief.
 "Either of these two vacant seats
 will do," he said.
 The porter consulted his book.
 "No. P Is engaged, sah. but you can have 13."
 'All right" said Wentworth, taking possession.
 After his belongings had been fin gered for the conventional length of time and the dusky official had re- treated Wentworth looked at his watch.
 Five minutes to starting time," he murmured, "and no sign of her yet, for which fact the lady has my heartfelt gratitude" .--a
 "My, won't Collins be In the deuce of funk, though! He seems to be un- commonly keen over the affair. I'll see what he says again." And, fumbling in his pocket, he produced a crimpled slip of paper.
 Smoothing 1t out, he read half audi ply: Look out for Annette Blain on Boston express. She has wind of the states intention to call her as a wit ness In the Brent murder trial and is going to cross the border. Is about twenty-two and slender, with brown hair and gray or blue eyes; timid man. 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."
 'Nice thing to foist on a man just starting on a 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, and-JoveP'
 The porter had come back, followed by heavily yelled young woman in a long dark blue travelling coat. As she sank wearily into the seat opposite No 13 a warning shriek came from the great engine, and the train puffed slowly out of the station.
 Wentworth eyed her furtively, while the porter punctiliously arranged her luggage in the rack.
 My victim undoubtedly" he solilo- quized. Poor childl I wonder if she thinks that covering her face with a thick veil when the thermometer is 80 Is a good way to escape notice. How had best open up the attack? Moral certainty alrs very we'll, but I'm afraid mine would become shaky If she should deny her identity. There's something about the poise of her head that indicates she'd have the nerve to do 1t, too. and Eve really nothing to go by. Confound that veilp'
 At this point a small leather hand bag obligingly slid off the newcomers lap, and Wentworth promptly present ed 1t to her with his best bow.
 ''Thank you," she murmured politely, but in a tone that distinctly discourag- ed 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 sulkily regarded the flying land scape for several minutes.
 When he turned again, his vis-a-vis had thrown back her veil. As he look ed at her Wentworth found it difficult to suppress an exclamation of amaze ment. She was so like and yet so un- like Collins terse description of the fugitive witness. Slender she certain ly was; twenty-two she might be, all 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 rippling, gold fecked chestnut waves that swept away from her broad white brow and were gathered In loose coil at 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 a brute could endure the thought of the delicate pink of those softly rounded cheeks deepening to scarlet and those exquisitely curved lips quiyering 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 1t. Justice would lose n0th- ing by her absence. Her flight was not only entirely honorable-It was a 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- tiOn of further pursuit If only she were shade more approachable he was sure he could give her some valua- ble 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 girl.
 She, however, did not seem to be at | all in a mood to receive congratula- | lions. She was very pale; her lips were | twitching nervouslv. and when inst as me train started again, the porter en- | tered the car, followed by the conduct or, an expression of utter terror came | nto her eyes.
 Evidently her fears were not alto yether groundless. The two men went ilrectly to her, and while the porter consolingly, Nov, don't be A.