Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-07-26

When he returned to her he found
the shades closely drawn and the girl
sitting in the sheltered corner of the
section, where she could not be seen
from the aisle, but where she could
watch in the mirror the approach of
anyone. She welcomed him with
smile. but instantly urged him to leave
the train, lest he be carried away.
He laughed at her fears, and told |
her there was plenty of time. Even |
after the train had given its prelimi- |
nary shudder, he fingered to tell her |
that she must be sure to let him |
know by telegraph if she needed any |
further help; and at last swung him |
self from the platform after the train |
was in full motion.
Immediately he remembered that |
he had not given her any money. How |
could he have forgotten? And there |
was the North side station yet to be |
passed before she would be out of dan
ger. The last car was almost past
when he made daring dash and flung
himself headlong upon the platform, to
the horror of several trainmen who
stood on the adjoining tracks.
He found the girl sitting where he
had left her, only she had flung up the
shade of the window next her, and was
gazing with wide, frightened eyes into
the fast flying darkness. He touched
her gently on the shoulder, and she
| turned with a cry.
"Oh, l thought you had fallen under
| the train!" she said in an awed voice.
at was going so fast!' But you did not
get off, after ALL did you? Now, what
can you do? 1t is is too bad, and all
on my account"
Eyes, got off," he said doggedly,
sitting down opposite her and pulling
his tie straight 81 got off, but it wasn't
altogether satisfactory, and so / got on
again. There wasn't much time for
getting on gracefully, but you'll have
to excuse it. The fact is, couldn't
bear to leave you alone Just yet.
couldn't rest until l knew you had
passed the North side station. Besides,
1 had forgotten to give you any
money"
"Oh, but you mustn't" she protested,
her eyes eloquent with feeling.
please don't say that" he went on
eagerly. 81 can get off later and take
the down train, you know. Really, the
fact it, couldn't let you go right out
of existence this way without knowing
about you"
The moments fairly flew. They
passed the North side station, and
were nearing the flag station. After
that there would be no more stops I'M
til past midnight The young man
knew he must get off.
Il cannot help feeling that ought to
take care of you" he said.
But ] cannot permit it," she said
firmly, lifting her trustful eyes to smile
at him.
viii you promise to let me know If
you need anything?"
mo, I'm afraid / cannot promise
even that" she answered, because,
while you have been a true friend to
, me, the immediate and awful necessity
is, hope, past"
You will at least take this, ",he said,
drawing from his pocket an incon-
spicuous purse of beautiful leather
and putting into it all the money his
!, pockets contained. Il saw you had no
pocketbook," he went on, and / ven
tured to get this one in the drug store
below the station. W1ll you accept ii
from me? Ihave your ring, you know
and when you take the ring back you
, may, if you wish, return the purse. !
wish it were better one, but it was
, tho most decent one they had. You
will need it to carry your ticket And
have put in the csange 1t would not
: DO for you to be entirely without
r money. Pm sorry it isn't more. There
: are only nine dollars and seventy-fvC
E cents left Do you think that will Sc,
3 you through? II there had been an,
place down town here where | coul,
a cash check at this time of night,
: should have made it more
4 Thank you so much. ! shall return
h the price OF the ticket and this none,
n rs soon as possible" said the gin
D earnestly
e lie suddenly became aware that tn
train was whistling and that the cor
r ductor was motioning him to go.
g But you have not told me you
+ name" he cried in disnay.
/ You have named me-" she ar
/. ewered, smiling. 81 am Mary Remiaa
a ton"
, But that is not your real name"
n You may call me Mary If you like.
9 she said Now go, please, quick, In
Q afraid you'll get hurt!
q You will remember that l am you
q friend?"
= Yes, thank you. Hurry, please"
The train paused long enough TO