Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-07-23
CHAPTER |.

He paused on the platform and
glanced at his watch. The train on
which he had Just arrived was late.
II 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 tho
long flight Of steps that led to the
bridge across the tracks, a delicate
pencillng 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 II he were to arrive on time.
The stairway was long, and there
were many people thronging il. A
shorter cut led down along the tracks
under the bridge. and up the grassy
embankment
Under the center Of the bridge e
slight noise behind him, al of soft,
hurrying footsteps, caught his atten-
ton, and woman's voice broke upon
his startled senses.
please don't stop, nor look around"
II said, and the owner caught I'D with
him now IN the shadow. But will
you kindly let me walk beside you for
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. Will you
tell me where can go to hide?"
After an instant'e astouished pause,
he obeyed her and kept on, making
room for her 70 walk beside htm, while
he took the place TEXT 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 a tone OF
apology:
Il saw you were a gentleman, and
b. 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
instinctiyely, the young man caught
his companion's 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 though was to get
out Of the cut before another train
should come. He grasped his compan-
Ions arm and started UP the steep
embankmeut, 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 q
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 al
her throat. looked backward with s
shudder. She seemed like n younl
bird that could scarcely tell which
way to fly.
Without an instant's hesitation, tn,
young man raised his hand and hailet
four.vhesler across the street.
Come this way. auickl" he urged
@NAF-Ae ANA az 4AG ENNt nc A4ANE
HIS home address and stepped in alto
her Then, turning, he faced his com
panion, and was suddenly keenl.
aware OF the strange situation Il
which he had placed himself
Can you tell me what is tho ma;
ter" he asked. and where you woul
like to go?"
The girl had scarcely recovore
breath from the long climb and tn
fright, and she answered him &
broken phrases.
NO, cannot tell you what is tn
matter"-she paused and looked Q
him, with q sudden comprehension c
what he might be thinking about he
-"but-there Is nottingham is-
have done nothing wrong" sh
paused again, and looked up with eye
whose clear depths, he felt, could hid
no guile.
"Of course" he murmured with q,
cision, and then wondered why he fei
SO sure about Il. a.
Thank you" she said. Then, wit
frightened porplexity: Il don't lno'
where TO go. never was IN this CIT
before. II you will kindly tell me ho'
to get, son1ewhere-I suppose to g raj
road station-aud yet--ro. have \
money--and"-then with sudden II
tie movement. OF dismay-"and hav
no he.l OH"
The young man felt q strong dssir
20 shield this girl 80 unexpected
thrown on his marcy. Vat wanna s~~-
CSaavnn' ElaaSvss