Putnam patriot., 1913-08-29
CHAPTER l.

He paused on tine 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 1t knew it's own short eomings and wished to make up for them.
 It was five minutes of six, and as the young man looked back at the long flight of steps that led to the bridge across the tracks, 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 it was yet some distance to his home, where rapid toilet must be made if he were to arrive on time.
 The stairway was long, and there were many people thronging 1t. 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- tion, and 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? l am very much frightened, and I'm afraid I shall be followed. Will you tell me where 1 can go to hide?"
 After an instants 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:
 q saw you were a gentleman, and l didn't know what to do. l thought you would help me to get somewhere quickly"
 Just then the fiery eye of the oncom- ing train burst from the tunnel ahead. Instinctively, 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 hi no n. ions arm and started up the steep embankment, realizing as he did so that the wrist he held was slender, and that the sleeve which covered 1t was of the finest cloth.
 As they emerged from the dark, the man saw that his companion was 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 shudder. She seemed like young bird that could scarcely tell which way to fly.
 Without an instant's hesitation, the young man raised his hand and hailed a sour-wheeIer across the street.
 Come this way, Quicki" he urged. helping her in. He gave the driver his home address and stepped in after her. Then, turning. hc faced his com panion, and was suddenly keenly aware of the strange situation Tn which he had placed himself.
 Can you tell me what is the mat ter" he asked. "and where you wouio like to go?"
 The girl had scarcely recovered breath from the long climb and the fright, and she answered him in broken phrases.
 NO, I cannot tell you what is the matter"-she paused and looked al him. with a sudden comprehension or what he might be thinking about ner -"but-there h nothins-thaf i-i