The Holly chieftain., 1914-07-03
CHAPTER |.

glanced at his watch. The train on
which he had Just arrived was late.
1t 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 the
long flight Of steps that led to the
bridge across the tracks, delicate
penciling of electric light flashed into
outline against the city's deepening
dusk. emphasizing the lateness of the
hour He had dinner engagement at
seven. and 1t was yet some distance
to his home, where rapid toilet must
be made if he were to arrive on time
The stairway was long, and there
were many people thronging it. A
shorter cut led down along the tracks
under the bridge, and 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"
It 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?
am very much frightened. and I'm
afraid | shall be followed. Will you
tell me where can go to hide?"
After an instantis astonished pause,
he obeyed her and kept on. making
room for her to walk beside him, while
he took the place next to the tracks.
He was aware. too, of the low rumble
or train. coming from the mouth of
the tunnel
His companion had gasped for
breath. but began again in a tone of
apology:
i saw you were a gentleman, and
l 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.
ihstihctively, 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
a r;-t T.
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 fly.
Without an instant's hesitation. the
young man raised his hand and hailed
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 recovered
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 ne might be thinking about her
--'but--there is nothing-that isl
have done 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
60 sure about It.
Thank you" she said. Then, with
frightened perplexity: Il don't know
where to go. never was In this city
before. If you will kindly tell me how
90 get somewhere suppose to a rail
road station-and yet-no, have no
-and"--then with a sudden lit
tie movement Of dsmay-"and | have
no hat! OH"
The young man felt strong desire
10 shield this girl SO Unexpectedly
thrown on his mercy. Yet vague fears
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