Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-10-01

| I did not know what to make OF II at
all. I did not know what TO think.
What was I to do? was Just trying TO
make up my mind when some ono from
behind lifted me right Off my feet and
putting a hand 10 my throat. squeezed
Il so tightly that It hurt me,
1T you mako a sound I'll choke the
lifo right out OF you. Don't you mako
any mistake about it, will
lTa said that out loudly enough. though
It was not go very loud either--he spoke
SO close to my ear. could scarcely
breathe. but could still see, and could
sec that the man who held me so hor-
lriblv by the throat was the second man !.
OF the train. The recognition seemed TO |
be mutual.
"If II isn't that Internal brat! She
seemed to be all eyes In the railway !
carriage. and, my word. she seems TO
have been all ears. too"
The FIRST man had come TO the window |
What's up" he asked WHO'S that
kid you've got hold OF there"
Ny car.or visited my face round for
the other to look at
Cant you see for yourself? | felt.
somehow. that she was listening"
she couldn't have heard. even II she
was; no one could have heard what we
were saying. Hand her in here" l was
passed through the window to the other,
who kept as tight grip on my throat
as his friend had done.
Who are you?" he asked 'I'n give
you a chance to answer. but If you try
to scream I'll twist your head right of
you"
He loosed his grip Just enough to en-
able mo to answer II I wished. But
did not wish, kept perfectly still, His
companion said:
What's the use OF wasting time? Silt
her throat and get done with it,
He took from the table a dreadful
looking knife with blade eighteen
: inches long which I knew very we'll.
Mr. Collegiate had It in his collection be-
cause OF It's beautifully chased. massive
silver handle knew that he kept 1t In
beautiful condition. with the edge as
g sharp as razor SO you can fancy
I what my feelings were when that man
+ close to the skin that It all but grazed
g me.
l Before you cut her throat" observed
Il his companion. well tie her up. Well
e make short work Of her. This bit Of
IS rope will about do the dodge
> He had what looked to me like a length
a of clothes limo In his hand, With It, be-
tween them, they tied to a great
& oak chair. so tight that it seemed to cut
right into me, and. lest I should scream
e with the pain, the man with tho blue
II eyes tied something across my mouth in
d a way which made It impossible for mo
to utter a sound. Then he threatened
d me with that knife again, and Just as
l. made sure he was going TO cut my throat
st he caught hold OF my hair. which, Of
e course, was hanging down my back, and
ID with that dreadful knife sawed the whole
= OF 1t from my head.
Rage made me half beside myself.
* He had destroyed what was almost the
Of dearest thing In the world to me-not
d. because OF my own love OF It, but on
account of my mothers. My mother had
" often quoted to me. The glory Of q
woman is her hair" and she would add
IA that mine was very beautiful. And to
think that this man could have robbed
-, me OF 1t in so hideous a way! I do be-
=. lieve that at the moment could have
- killed him.
- I suppose he saw the fury which pos
sessed me- because no laughed and
>, struck me across tho face with my own
:, hair.
i've hall n mind to cram II down your
throat" he said. 1T didn't take me Ions
to cut 1t off. but III cut your throat
-, even quiclser-,f YOU 80 much as try to
move. my little dear
The other man said to him:
She can't move and rhe can't make
sound either You leave her alone
Come over here and attend TO business v
IN learn her" replied tho other man
" and he lifted my hair above my head
and let It fall oil over mo.
- They proceeded to wrap up each piece
Of Mr. Cole6ate's collection In Tissue
IN parer, ana then to pack the whole int
two queer shaped bsss-prstty heav,
IN they must have been. The fury which
CO possessed me as I sat there, helpless
Oh and watched them! When the man Wit
81 had cut of my hair moved to the win
dow with one Of tho bags held in boil
On his hands-it waS a. much as he coul'
't- carry-hs said to his companion with
70; glance toward mo: Hadn't better Gu
't- her throat before I Eor'
'is You CT ONE and DO that presently.
at replied the other; you'll md her walt
as ing" Then no dropped his voice and
'sc saw him say: Now you quito under
m stand7" Tho other nodded What 1t It?
lat The face OF the man who had cut m
'ut hair was turned toward mo He put hi
lips very close to the other. speakin
tn In the tiniest whisper which he nsve
're dreamed could reach my ears: Got
le- terll. Cloak-room. Victoria Station
ter Brighton Railway"
; The other whispered. That's RICH
to You'd better make a note of II; W
don't want any bungling'
led mo fear, I'm not likely TO forge
ar Then he repeated his previous word
ar "Cotteriu, Cloak-room. Victoria Station
ow Brighton Railway"
raj He got out of tho window and ii
re. bag was passed to him; then he spok