The state herald., 1910-11-11
CHAPTER VI.
The Girl In Blue,

The Girl In Blue.
was growing more and more ir.
ritable. The thought of what the
loss of the notes meant was fast
crowding the murder to the back of
my mind. The forced inaction was
intolerable. The porter had reported
no bag answering the description of
mine on the train, but | was disposed
to make my own investigation. | made
a tour of the cars. scrutinizing every
variety of hand luggage, ranging from
luxurious English bags with gold
mountings to the wicker nondescript
of the day coach at the rear. | was
not alone in my quest, for the girl in
blue was Just ahead of me. Car by
car she preceded me through the train.
unconscious that | was behind her.
looking at each passenger as she
passed. ! fancied the proceeding was
distasteful, but that she had determin-
ed on n course and was carrying It
through. We reached the end of the
train almost together-empty-handed.
both of us.
The girl went out to the platform.
When she saw me she moved aside,
and stepped out beside her. Behind
us the track curved sharply; the early
sunshine threw the train, in long black
shadow, over the hot earth. Forward
somewhere they were hammering.
The girl said nothing, but her profile
was strained and anxious.
IF you have lost anything" |
began, Il wish you would let me try to
help. Not that my own success is any.
thing to boast Of"
She hardly glanced at me. It was
not flattering.
Il have not been robbed. II that is
what you mean," she replied quietly.
II nm-perploxed. That is all"
There was nothing to say to that.
| lifted my hat-the other fellows
hnt-and turned 10 go back to my car.
Two or three members Of the train
crew. including the conductor, were
standing in the shadow talking. And
at that moment. from a farmhouse
near came the swift clang OF the
breakfast bell. calling In the hands
from barn and pasture, turned back
to the girl.
I'VE may be here for an hour"
said, and there is no buffet car on.
If remember my youth. that bell
means ham and eggs and country but
ter and coffee. II you care to run
the risk"
Il am not hungry" she said, but
perhaps cup of coffee-dour me, |
believe ! am hungry" she finished,
Only" She glanced back Of her.
Il can bring your companion" | sug.
gested, without enthusiasm, But the
young woman shook her head.
she Ia not hungry" she objected.
and she is yory-woll, ! know she
wouldn't come DO you suppose We
could make It II We RUM"
u haven't any idea" said cheer.
fully. ANY old train would be better
than this one. n Il does leave US bO-
hind"
"Yos, ANY train would bo better
than this one" she repeated Erayoly,
found myself watching her changing
expression. had spoken two dozen
words 60 her and already ! felt that
knew the lights aud shades In her
VOICE., who had always known how
woman rode TO hounds. and who
never could have told the color OF
her hair
stepped down on the ties and
turned TO nssist her. aud together We
walked back 20 where the conductor
and the porter from our cnr were In
close conversation. inBtinctiyely my
hand wont TO my cigarette pocket and
came out empty, She saw the ges
turo
III you want 20 smoke, you may"
she said u have big cousin who
smokes all the time. ilo says I am
klppcfod'"
drew out the gun metal cigarette
cnrc and opened H. nut this most
commonplace action had an o1tfuor.
binary result; Tho girl beside mo
stopped dead atm and stood staring
at II with fascinated oycR
"iH-whcro did you got that7" she
demanded. with catch In her voice;
her gaze atill hxcd ON tho cigarette
case
tro ma coSrfNuEpD
Uneasy lies tho head that wears mn
Ice bHF