El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-05-17
ByGiroydom-Duff.
SsT WISH" said lord Beaufort, for
perhaps the eighth or ninth

6sT WISH said lord Beaufort. for
perhaps the eighth or ninth
- time-sI wish you had yielded
to my wishes, and to your mothers,
and taken Parker with you to Botting-
ton"
Rubbish, AS if I couldn't do with
out Parker on a two hours railway
journeyir
But I don't care about your being
responsible for this bag" lord Beau
fort protested. The pearls are val
liable. ard one does hear Of such
dreadful things. Let me take the bag
back with me. my dear Don't wear
your pearls this evening
The train steamed in as he finished
speaking, and he tried TO regain pos
session Of the bag. May laughingly
held on to it most tenaciously. and
Jumped into first class compartment
close at hand, shutting the door I'M
mediately and putting the leather paS
up on the rack. She leaned triumph
artly- out Of the window, her face
dimpling with smiles.
.eFoiledr she calculated "Oh, you
dreadful man. Fancy trying to make
me appear at Dora's coming OF age
ball without my pearls! I'm ashamed
Of youl"
She talked till the train moved out
of the station, leaning well out OF
the carriage window. waving her small
gloved hand.
Back tomorrow morningi Goodby;
don't worry Goodbyi'
Lord Beaufort was TO longer in
sight. She drew her head and shout
ders through the window, and for the
first time looked around the compart-
ment, to find, much to her astonish-
ment. that she was not alone In the
far corner of the opposite seat reclined
the man whom she herself had noticed.
because of his striking appearance.
He was reading. but put down his
newspaper as May turned Then ne
SPOKE:
81 feel almost an intruder. m
afraid YOU thought this carriage was
EMMY l got in an instant before you
did. L should have got out again.
naturally presuming that you would
,,arfer to travel alone; but YOU we're
talking to the gentleman who was
with you until the train actually start
ed YOU will remember. scarcely liked
to disturb YOU"
May laughed.
"I don't mind. II you don'tr'
Nav was thoroughly enjoying her
self Travelling without Parker really
was the greatest fun. Her face broke
into smiles again. The mans an
swered it.
you are laughing at me-" he said
Mays mirth dubbed over into IRE
sistible little chuckles-
I'm not laughing at you. she SAID.
"0b Won must think I'm terribly rude!
I'm laughing at the mental picture
cart help conjuring up of what Par
ker would say If she could sac me.
shut up alone in this carriage with
YOU. talking as If I'd known you TOT
years"
.Ts Parker your maid2''
yes. and was my nurse She has
known me all my life. I've never been
allowed to move without her before
and-oh,- it ,is such fun.
you are not a bit nervous travelling
alone?"
'Nervousr'
Frightened, then? Come. you must
be. if it's the first time"
s.Frightened-of WHAT" she said
.'The man is not yet born who could
brighten mel"
The man rose from his corner. still
smiling. He held something in his,
hand. May had just commenced to
eye IT rather curiously, when he spoke.
I'm glad you are IN nowise affect
ed by nerves I should have been
sorry to frighten you. but 1 want that
bag Of yours up there in the rack You
must let me have 1t without making
any fuss. or this revolver Of mine
might go off,
without an instant.s pause May
sprang to her feet so suddenly that
the man holding the pistol was thrown
off his guard. Before he could stop
her. she had pulled down the COM
munication cord that ran along at the
top of the window. then stood facing
the stranger. painting and excited
by Jovew he calculated. that was
SMART" For a brief instant he paused.
then suddenly changed This tone. Miss
Beaufort. do you know what you've
done?"
Mays breath came IN labored gasps.
She leant against the side Of the car
rage for support, but she faced the
man boldly.
1--WE called the attention of the
guard. The train will be stopped and
you will be arrested, you-you thiefi
You murderer
Miss Beaufort it was a practical
joke-a foolish one. I'll admit-but
simply couldn't resist it. You boosted
not being frightened. Well the temp
tation to scare you proved irresistible.
On my honor. I'm speaking the truth.
Your honor May was tremDllnS
in every Iimb-every vestige OF color
was leaving her face. But she spoke
with scorn. I don't believe word
you say"
The train was slackening speed. The
situation was getting desperate
The man hastily extracted card
case from an inner pocket, and ten
dered a square Of cardboard bearing
his name to May. She read 1T almost
mechanically; she was beginning to
feel weak and faint Sir Charles
Fuller" She raised her eyes in aston
ishment. He went on pleading rapid
~, earnestly.
Miss Beaufort, granted there is not
a shadow Of excuse for me, still let
me implore you to be merciful de-
serve anything for playing such
fools trick The love Of practical jok-
ing has been the bane of my life. I
shall never try smother. though. See,
this pistol is only toy; it holds
concealed vaporizer-the sort Of thing
boy cyclists use and get amusement
out of. to squirt water over stray dogs
ana children. HEa a cad to have such