Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-12-12
CHAPTER l..

ER J..
He paused on the platform and
glanced at his watch. The train on
which he had just arrived was late.
It hurried away from the station. and
was swallowed UP in the blackness of
the tunnel, as If 1t knew it's own short
comings and wished to make up for
them.
1T was fly minutes of six, and as
the young mar 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 t~hronging 1t. A
shorter cut led down along he tracks
under the bridge, n 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"
1t 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 but Of this dreadful place? l
an very much frightened. and I'm
afraid ! shall be followed. Will you
tell me where / can go to hide?"
After an i%nstant's astonished pause,
he obeyed her and kept on, making
roo for her to walk beside him, while
he took the place next to the tracks.
He was aware, too, of the low rumble
Of a 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
i 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.
Instinctively. the young mar caught
Ills companion . arm Thu EufBW iGi
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
nan saw that his companion was a
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
Il 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 ~ecovere
breath from the long climb and the
fright, and she answered him in
broken phrases.
NO, ] 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 n~othing-that isl
have nothing WRONG She
paused again and looked up with eyes
whose clear depths. he felt, could hide
no guile.
"Of course" he murmured with de-
cision, and then wondered why he felt
so sure about 1t.
Thank you," she said. Then, with
frightened p~erplexity: Il don't know
where to go. / never was in this city
before. If you will kindly tell me how
TO get somewhere suppose to a rail
road station-and yet-no, / have no
meney-and"-then with 2 snaden lit
tie movement OF dismay-"and / have
no hat! Obi"
The young man felt a strong desire
to shield this girl so Unexpectedly
thrown on his mercy. Yet vague fears
hovered about the margin of his judg-