The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-09-01
CHAPT Err !.

He paused On the platform and
glanced at his watch. The train on
which he had just arrived was late.
1t hurried away from the station, and
was swallowed up in the blackness of
the tunnel, as if it knew its own short
comings and wished TO make up for
them.
1t was five minutes of six, and as
the young man looked back at the
long fight of steps that led to the
bridge across the tracks, a delicate
penciling of electric light flashed into
outline against the city's deepening
dusk, emphasizing the lateness Of the
hour. He had a dinner engagement at
seven, and 1t was yet some distance
to his home, where a rapid toilet must
be made If he were to arrive on time.
The stairway was long, and there
were many people thronging it. A
shorter cut led down along the tracks
under the bridge, and up the grassy
embankment.
Under the center of the bridge a
slight noise behind him, as of soft,
hurrying footsteps, caught his atten-
ton, and a woman's voice broke upon
his startled senses.
please don't stop, nor look around
it said, and the owner caught up with
him now in the shadow. But will
you kindly let me walk beside you for
a moment, till you can show me how
to get out Of this dreadful place?
am very mach frightened, and I'm
afraid l shall be followed Will you
tell me where l can go to hide?"
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
of train, coming from the mouth Of
the tunnel.
His companion had gasped for
breath, but began again in tone of
apology:
81 saw you were a gentleman, and
I didn't know what to do. I thought
you would help me to get somewhere
quickly"
Just then the fiery eye of the oncom-
ing train burst from the tunnel ahead.
lnstinctively, 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-
arm CT
embankment, realizing as he did so
that the wrist he held was slender,
and that the sleeve which covered it
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 a 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
a four-wheeler across the street
Come this way, quick!" he urged
helping her in. He gave the driver
his home 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 go?''
| The girl had scarcely recovered
| breath from the long climb and the
fright, and she answered him il
broken phrases.
| mo, cannot tell you what is the
matter'-she paused and looked al
him, with a sudden comprehension o.
what he might be thinking about hel
! -"but-there is nottingham is
| have done nothing wrong She
| paused again and looked up with eye:
whose clear depths, he felt, could hide
no guile.
"Of course" he murmured with de
cision, and then wondered why he fell
so sure about it.
THANK YOU" she said. Then, witt
frightened perplexity: 81 don't know
| where to go. l never was in this city
before. If you will kindly tell me how
to get somewhere suppose to rail
road station-and. yet-no, l have nc
money-and'-then with a sudden lit
tie movement of dismay-"and l have
no hat! OH"
The young man felt strong desire
to shield this girl so unexpectedly
thrown on his mercy. Yet vague fears
lowered about the margin of his judg
ment. Perhaps she was a thief OF
an adventures.
The girl was speaking again: But
must not trouble you any more. Yol
have been very kind to get me GU
of that dreadful place. If you viii
just stop the carriage and let me out
am sure l can take care of myself
81 could not think of letting yol
get out here alone. If you are in dan
per 7 will helm Won - The warmth n