The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1913-10-09
CHAPTER l.

He paused ON The platform and
glanced ut his watch. The train on
which he had just arrived WIS late.
II hurried away from the station. and
was swallowed up In the blackness OF
the tunnel. as IL IL knew It's own short
cominBs and wished to make up for
them.
IL was i've minutes OF elk. and az
The young man looked back at tho
long flight OF steps that led to the
bridge across the tracks. a delicate
penciling OF electric light flashed into
outline against the citys deepening
dusk, emphasizing the lateness OF tho
hour. He had dinner engagement at
seven, and II was yet some distance
To his home. whore a rapid toilet must
be made IL he were to arrive on time.
The stairway was long. and there
we're many people thronging It A
shorter cut led down along the tracks
under the bridge. and up the grassy
embankmant
Under the ecnter OF the bridge a
slight noise behind him. az OF soft.
hnrryfng footsteps. caught his atten-
ton. and q womanS voice broke upon
hts startled senses.
Please don't stop. nor look around"
v said. and the owner caught UP with
him now in the shadow. But will
you kindly let me walk beside you for
u moment, till you can show mo how
70 get out OF this dreadful placef
am very much frightened, and I'm
afraid ! shall be followed. VIII you
tell me where can go to hider'
After an instant's astonished pause.
he obeyed her and kept on. making
room for her to walk beside him. while
he took the place next to the tracks.
He was aware. too. OF the low rumble
or train. coming from the mouth OF
the tunnel.
His companion had gasped for
breath, but began again In O tone OF
apology:
I saw you were a gentleman, and
/ didn't know what to do. thought
you would help me to get somewhere
quickly"
Just then the nery eye OF the oncorn-
Ing train burst from the tunnel ahead.
.nstincuvely, the young man caught
his companions arm and drew her
forward to the embankment beyond
the bridge. holding her. startled and
trembling. as the screaming train tore
past them.
The mans first thought was to get
out OF the cut before another train
should come. He grasped his compan-
IONS arm and started up the steep
embankment, realizing as he did 30
that the wrist no held was slender.
and that the sleeve which covered IL
was OF the finest cloth.
AS they emerged from the dark, the
man saw that his companion was a
young and beautiful woman, and that
she wore light cloth gown with
neither hat nor gloves.
AT the top OF the embankment they
paused. and the girl. with her hand at
her throat. looked backward with a
shudder. She seemed like a young
bird that could scarcely tell which
way TO fly.
Without an instant's hesitation, the
young man raised his hand and hailed
four-wheeler across the street.
Come this way, quick!" he urged.
helping her in. He gave the driver
MS homo address and stepped In after
her. Then, turning, he faced his COM
panion. and was suddenly keenly
aware OF the strange situation In
which he had placed himself.
Can you tell me what Is the mat
ter" he asked. and where you would
like TO got"
The girl had scarcely recovered
breath from tho long climb and the
fright, and she answered him In
broken phrases.
mo. l cannot tell you what ia the
matter-she paused and looked at
him. with sudden comprehension OF
what he might be thinking about her
-"but-there is nothing-that Isl
have done nothing wrong" She
paused again and looked up with eyes
whose clear depths, he felt, could hide
no guile.
"Of course" he murmured with de-
cision. and then wondered why he felt
90 sure about II.
Thank YOU" she said. Then. with
frightened perplexity: IT don't know
NhNaO " 81 nSFeT WaH IN THIS city
before. II you will kindly tell me how
to get somewhere-I suppose to a rail-
road station-and yet-no, l have no
money-and"-then with a sudden lit
tie movement OF dismay-"and | have
no haiti OH"
The young man felt strong desire
70 shield this girl so Unexpectedly
thrown on his mercy. Yet vague fears
lowered about the margin OF his judg-
ment. Perhaps she was q thief or
an adventurous.
The girl was speaking again: But I
must not trouble you any moro. You
have been very kind to get me out
OF that dreadful place. II you will
just stop the carriage and let mo out.
am sure | can take care OF myself. {"
I could not think OF letting you
get out here alone. II you are in dan
ger. will help you" The warmth Of
his own words startled him He knew
he ought 10 BIO more cautious with n
stranger, but impetuously he threw
caution to the winds III you would
just tell me q little blt about Il. so
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