Putnam patriot., 1913-09-12

tell anyone where you have gone, can you not?" There was 8 kind rebuke in his tone, and her eyes. as she lifted them to his face, were full of tears.
 "Oh. l do trust you!" she cried. dis. tressed. You must not think that, but-you do not understand"
 Then she added suddenly:
 But l cannot buy ticket I have no money with me, and r."
 Don't think of that for an instant l Will gladly supply your need A lit. tie loan should not distress you"
 But do not know when shall be able to repay it. she faltered, "un. less"-she hastily drew of her glove and slipped a glittering ring from her unless you will let this pay for It. do not like to trouble you SO, but the stone is worth a good deal"
 Indeed" he protested, q couldn't think of taking your ring. Let me do this. It is such a small thing. l shall never miss it. Let 1t rest until you are out of your trouble, at least"
 "Please!" she insisted. holding out the ring. q shall get right out of this carriage unless you do."
 But perhaps some one gave you the ring, and you are attached to it"
 My father" she answered briefly, "and he would want me to use 1t this way" She pressed the ring into hn hand almost impatiently.
 T will keep 1t until you want il again." he said kindly.
 You need not do that, for I shall not claim it," she declared. You are at liberty to sell 1t. know 1t is worth a good deal"
 T shall certainly keep it until am sure you do not want it yourself" he repeated. Now let us talk about this journey of yours. We are almost at the station. Have you any preference as to where you go? Have you friends to whom you could go?"
 She shook her head.
 There are trains to New York every hour almost"
 "0h, mol" she gasped in frightened tone
 And to Washington often."
 l should rather not go to Washing. ton, she breathed again.
 Pittsburgh. Chicago?" he hazarded.
 Chicago will do," she asserted with relief. Then the carriage stopped be- fore the great station, ablaze with light and throbbing with life.
 He hurried her through the station and up to the lsdies' waiting room. where he found a quiet corner and a large rocking-chair. in which he placed her so that she might look out of the great window upon the panorama of the evening street. and yet be thor ougly screened from all intruding glances by the big leather and brass screen of the ladies bootblack."
 He was gone fifteen minutes, during which the girl sat quietly in her chair. yet alert, every nerve strained. At any moment the mass of faces she was watching might reveal one whom she dreaded to see, or a detective might place his hand upon her shoulder with quiet Come with me"
 When Dunham came back, the nerv- ous start she gave showed him how tense and anxious had been her mind. He studied her lovely face under the great hat. and noted the dark shadows beneath her eyes. He felt that he must do something to relieve her. It was unbearable to him that this young girl should be adrift. friendIess, and apparently a victim to some terrible fear.
 Drawing up a chair beside her. he began talking about her ticket.
 You must remember l was utterly at your mercy" she smiled sadly. T simply had to let you help lne."
 T should be glad to pay double for the pleasure you have given me in aI- lowing me to help you," he said.
 Just at that moment a boy in a blue uniform planted a sole-leather suit case at his feet, and exclaimed: Here you are, MT. Durham. Had fierce time fndin' you. Thought you said you would be by the elevator door"
 50 I did, confessed the young man. "I didn't think you had time to get down yet. Well. you found me any how, Hardness"
 The boy took the silver given him, touched his hat, and sauntered on.
 You sec" explained Dunham, 'it wasn't exactly the thing for you to be travelling without a bit of baggage. thought it might help them to trace you if you really were being followed So took the liberty of phoning over to bring down the suitcase that I left there yesterday. I don't exactly know what's in it. had the man pack it and send it down to me, thinking l might stay all night at the club. Then went home. after all, and forgot to take it along. It probably hasn't anything very appropriate for lady's costume, but there may be hair-brush and some soap and handkerchiefs. And, any how, if you'll accept 1t, it'll be some thing for you to hitch on to. One feels B little lost even for one night with out a rag one can call ones own ex- cept a Pullman towel. I thought 1t might give you the appearance Of a regular traveller. you know. and not a 
 He tried to make her laugh about It. but her face was deeply serious as she locked np st him
 T think this is the kindest and most thoughtful thing you have done yet" she said. 'I don't see how l can ever. ever thank you."
 Don't try" he returned gaily. There's your train being called. Wed better go right out and make you com fortable. You are beginning to be very tired"