The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-09-26
CHAPTER I.

He paused on the platform and
glanced at his watch The train on
II hurried away from the station, and
WRs swallowed up In the blackness OF
the tunnel. as II It knew its own short
oomings and wished TO make up for
them.
II was Eve minutes of six. and as
the young man looked back at the
hong fight of steps that led to the
bridge across the tracks. delicate
penciiing of electric light flashed into
outline against the citys deepening
dusk. emphasizing the lateness of the
hour. lie had a dinner engagement at
seven. and It was yet some distance
70 his home, where a rapid toilet must
be made If he we're to arrive on time.
The stairway was long, and there
we're many people thropging ii. A
shorter cut led down along the tracks
under the bridge. and up the grassy
Smbankment.
Under the center Of the bridge a
hurrying footsteps. caught his atten-
tion, and womans voice broke upon
his startled senses.
please don't stop, nor look around"
II 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 ! shall be followed. VIII you
tell me where can go to hide?"
After an instants astonished pause,
he obeyed her and kept on, making
room for her to walk beside him, while
no took the place next to the tracks |
He was aware, too, of the low rumble
OF a train. coming from the mouth of
ehe tunnel.
His companion had gasped for
breath. but began again in a tone of
apology:
Il saw you were a gentleman, and |
Z didn't know what to do. / 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-
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 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 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 fy.
Without an instant's hesitation, the
young man raised his hand and hailed
a fouT-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 in
broken phrases.
mo, | cannot tell you what is the
matter"-she paused and, looked at
him, with a 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 q
whose clear depths, he felt, could hide c
no guile.
"Of course" he murmured with de- g
rision. and then wondered why he felt r
so sure about it.
Thank YOU" she said. Then, with v
frightened perplexity: Il don't know
where to 30. l never was in this city s
before. If you win kindly tell me how v
% get somewhere suppose to a rail- d
Dad station-and yet-no, have no
money y-and"-then with sudden lit h
10 movement Of dismay-"and have Il
10 hat! OH" il
The young man felt strong desire
o shield this girl so Unexpectedly r,
hrewn on his mercy. Yet vague fears a
lowered about the margin Of his judg- h