The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1908-12-04


girl looked up anxiously. The STURDY
motorman was bending little for-
ward, his eyes keenly watching inc
track.
The girl had been much provoked at
the motorman. He had spoken IN an
inexcusable manner to her at the sta-
ton. He had come up to her and pull
ed off his cap and said: Il beg your
pardon but is there any special rea-
son--any reason of an important CHAR
acter-why you want to go TO Earl
cliff"
she had been quite annoyed at ms
effrontery. She hesitated about reply
ing. She meant to turn away from MIN
without word.
II considered my reasons sufficient
" Imperative" she replied. She sald
this in tone that was meant 70 pc
chilly.
He looked at her finery and shook
his head.
II suppose you are going to the we'd
ding" he said. That's sufficiently I'M
peratiye, no doubt"
The girl had drawn back and appar-
emily was absorbed in an illustrated
weekly. The mans voice was low but
penetrating. She could hear the sta
ton masters muffled tones, but his
words were indistinct BY his gestures
she fancied he was warning the motor
man. But presently the latter turned
away and stepped into his vestibule.
Then he opened the door between the
vestibule and the body of the car,
and nodding at the girl with quick
smile cried "All aboard" and started
No. IT,
Anna Hartman had just returned
from Europe. In New York she mad
remained only long enough to see her
mother comfortably settled at a
friends home, where she could recover
from the effects of a stormy voyage.
Then Anna had come on alone to at
tend the wedding of her school friend,
Elaine Earle. And here 1t was two
o'clock in the afternoon with seventeen
miles to go and the wedding set Tor
four o'clock. There had been a de-
layed train and wait at the town Of
two hours, period that Anna had
improved by going to hotel with her
steamer trunk and putting on her we'd
ding outfit and her big white hat
Presently the stream that ran
through the valley abruptly turned,
and the road curved sharply to the
right. At this curve the speed of the
car was greatly reduced and the girl
noticed that man suddenly came
from behind telephone signal booth
and swung himself aboard the car.
The new passenger entered the car
very quietly, stopping little as he adj
vanced. AS he passed along he gave
her a sharp glance. Then he went up
the aisle.
The girl noticed his face as he
passed. She watched him with look
In which curiosity was blended with
anxiety. When he was close to the
open door Of the motorman's vestibule
he paused and quickly looked around.
But above the sheet that now trem-
bled in her hand she saw the dark man
produce cleaning knife.
Instantly Annals shrill scream rang
through the car. 1t startled the crouch
ing man, and it caused the motorman
to shut of the power and whirl him
self about with the controller in his
hand, seemingly with a single move
ment So close was the crouching man
that the controller struck him sharp
" in the face. And the next instant
the motormans clenched left hand sent
him sprawling.
The motorman came down the aisle
and paused near the girl
Thanks for the vociferation," he
said, 1T beats all the college yells /
ever heard. couldn't have stopped
work more promptly IL 1t had been the
five-thirty whistle"
His bantering tone Jared on the
girls sensibilities.
Don't you know that the man
meant to kill your" she asked,
1T looks very much as if he meant
to hurt me" the motorman replied.
There's no doubt about the knife All,
there, he's down."
Il wish you would take one of the
front seats" he said. Il have a rea-
son for asking this. 1t will be ex-
planned later"
He stopped quickly and took her
handbag and paper and started up the
aisle
Suddenly something ratified on the
car roof Almost instantly there was
the crash Of glass. A window in the
vestibule was broken. A half dozen
missiles thudded against the wooden
sides of the car. There was a hoarse
rhn,,t nhnnd r,,nnhn,. of man sud u