The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-12-24


"Non-you don't think they viii eom
! here searching for meg" she asked,
Conductor Robbins will look out I,
that, he said. You are quite sal
here.
The girl looked about the handsomel
furnished car and bfeathed Sigh OF u
lief.
How strange i, seems. she said =.
moment ago | didn't think | had tni
friend in all the world, and-and the
you came. Are you going TO send m
homey'
lie smiled at her eager question.
II want TO do the right thing, he said
He paused aud looked at his watch. Am
the right thing 10 do inst Is TO get lunch
con.
ooh, | can't eat, .aid the girl quickly
"Oh, yes, you can, eontfadictcd tn
Young man. Come, let Us 60 in now
Remember that You are 10 do what
advise. Isn't that what Conductor Rob
bins told yous Come,
She arose oo,diently and followed hin
into the dining car,
! They had table To themselves am,
the young man ordered an appetizinl
luncheon. They were eating when TIA,
train stopped at Yorkville.
The girl shuddered as the young man
pronounced the name OF the station.
Look out OF the window cautiously.
said the young man. This will be your
last chance TO see the Field Daisies. All,
there they are, and your friend is among
them. You don't retain any hidden de-
sire to go on the road with the troupe.
do YOU
no. no. exclaimed the girl. and she
sank in her chair. 1T terrifies me TO
think OF il"
Then don't think of it, said the young
man in his soothing way. There, the
train is moving. The Field Daisies will
soon he miles away. And now. back to
your luncheon. Don't shame my taste by
neglecting it. I'm hungry myself, And |
have no doubt you are hungry, too. Had
an early breakfast, | suppose"
Il didn't have any breakfast" said the
girl in a low tone.
Then you must eat now" declared the
young man. What's that" The train
had been moving slowly. Now il stopped
with a clatter Of couplings. The young
man looked out of the window Some
thing wrong with the running gear.
fancy. The train men are staring under
the diner. That needn't interrupt our
luncheon"
But the girl ate sparingly. The
strangeness OF her position destroyed her
appetite She was glad when the young
man led the way back to the parlor car.
Their seats were at one end of the car.
which contained but few passengers. The
nearest seat was occupied by an elderly
lady attiTed in black who was absorbed
in book The lady looked up as the
two passed her and then her inqurng
glance was followed by frown. Almost
her eyes returned TO the page
Of her book.
There was much changing of hammers
On iron as the two took their seats
We seem to be giving those noise
makers considerable diversion" remarked
he young man in his easy way. If you
will excuse me a moment I'll try to dis
over the cause of the delay"
The girl blushed and trembled.
Il wish you wouldn't leave me" she |
The eyes of the elderly woman in the
hair near by suddenly left the printed /
,age and her frown deepened
"Of course | won't, said the young man
uickly, There is no doubt that the
rain will pull out Just as soon as ] leave
ny curiosity unqualified"
Thank you" said the girl a little
rokenly.
The eyes of the elderly woman turned
ack to the page, but the frown still
'rinkled her white forehead.
There was a little silence, broken only
y the sullen reverberations beneath the
rain. And then man suddenly APP
cared in the aisle.
lie was stout, .red-faced man with a
lack mustache. His eyes We're small and
cen and his chin square and aggressive.
80 you're in here. are you?' he de-
landed as he looked down at the young
ian and the girl. His voice was low,
ut wrathful
The young man looked up in the angry t
ce.
what do you mean by that" he asked. '
e spoke quietly, but red spot suddenly 5
lrned in his cheeks. 5
"You know well enough what | mean" t
lie stout man growled you've coaxed !
lis girl away from us. You're hiding t
r. She's bound to us by contract. i
e mean to hold her to it. What are
u butting in for?" 3
The young man had risen and was facing t
e stranger. II
Il can explain that very easily" he h
i'd "The girl needed friend" "
The stout man chuckled hoarsely. a
"a friend" he sneered. What does II
e want Of friend? Hasen't she got a
end in the company? She'll make all 81
e friends she wants without picking up ii
E first pretty boy that winks at her" Al
Steady" said the young man and al
NV quick breath e,
The stout man looked across at the fo
Come, young lady, he said: ''your ia
ends are on the outside waiting for te
H. Your agreement to go with us is tt
re in my pocket. You can't get away fiji
m it. ia
Wait" said the young man, sharply
not of age and she has been coaxed
ay from home. That looks to me like n
luction or kidnapping" mi
he stout man showed his teeth. bu
She's an honest girl. She'll come with an
he girls face was pressed against the or
ldow pane. She did not look around. pa
he young man had thrust his hands in oh
side coat pockets and his face was on
,e to the stout mans. no
Now, listen to me-" he said "The til,
ng woman will do just what she pleases a
do in this affair, and she's not to be I'm
lied nor cajoled. Understand that. oct
ierstand too, that you can't bully me. ov,
his girl wants my protection she will no
it, co,
he stout man laughed scornfully. Lat
Your protection" he s.eered. TITS cat
ne brand of protection she'd get from han
Mister Wolf You little game is bei
I gauzy, my young friend If there fav
some woman here to look after the
it would be different. but | don't =
nd to leave ner in your hands, trust fro
for that" bea
lie young mans face turned white and pri1
lip quivered. rea
nd then came sudden interruption. nit
lie elderly lady arose and leaned for trio
|. She had card in her fingers. or
will take charge of the girl" she boa
in n puiat tona .Tbic iS NV na,po - | cpaa