The Holly chieftain., 1914-07-17

IKE to go?
Il have not been able to do much
thinking. 1t required all my wits to
act with the present But l know that
must not be any further trouble to
you. You have done more already
than anyone could expect. II you can
nave the carriage stop in some quiet.
out-of-the-way street where l shall not
be noticed. will get out and relieve
you. II / hadn't been SO frightened
at first. should have had more sense
than to burden you this way. ! hope
some day shall be able to repay your
kindness. though | fear it is too great
ever to repay"
fiease don't talk in that way" said
ne protestingly. ut has been a pleas
ure to do the little that / have done,
anu you have more than repaid 1t by
the delight you have given me and my
friends. l could not think of leaving
you until you are out of your trouble,
ana II you will only give me a little
mint OF how to help, will do my ut
most ior you. Are you quite sure you
were followed? Don't you think you
couid trust me enough to tell me lit
Tie more about the matter?"
one shuddered visibly.
Forgive me-" he murmured. T see
II distresses you. OF course it is un-
peasant to conflde in an utter
Stranger will not ask you to tell me.
Will try to think for you. Suppose
we go to the station and get you a
ticket to somewhere. Have YOU any
preference? You can trust me not to
tell anyone where you have gone, can
you notF There was kind rebuke
In his tone. and her eyes, as she lifted
them to his face. were full of tears.
oh, do trust you!" she cried, dis.
tressed. You must not think that,
out-you do not understand"
Then she added suddenly:
But l cannot buy ticket. / have
no money with me. and i"
Don't think Of that for an instant.
l will gladly supply your need. A lit.
tie loan should not distress you"
But l do not know when shall be
able to repay it." she faltered. "un-
less"-she hastily drew off her glove
and slipped glittering ring from her
nnger-"unless you will let this pay
ior IT. do not like to trouble you SO,
but the stone is worth good deal"
Indeed" he protested, II couldn't
think OF taking your ring. Let me do
THIS. 1t is such small thing. l shall
never miss 1t. Let 1t rest until you
are out OF your trouble, at least"
"Please!" she Insisted, holding out
the ring. Il shall get right out Of this
carriage unless you do"
But perhaps some one gave you the
ring. and you are attached to it."
My father" she answered briefly.
and he would want me to use it this
way" She pressed the ring into his
hand almost impatiently.
Il will keep 1t until you want IT
again." he said kindly.
You need not do that, for l shall
not claim It," she declared "You are
at liberty to sell it. know 1t Is worth
good deal"
I shall certainly keep 1t until / am
sure you do not want 1t yourself" he
repeated. Now let US talk about this
Journey OF yours. We are almost at
the station. Have you any preference
as to where you go? Have you friends
to whom you could go?"
She shook her head.
There are trains to New York every
hour almost"
"Oh, mol" she gasped in frightened
tone.
And to Washington often''
should rather not go to Washing
ton,' she breathed again.
pittsburgh, Chicago?" he hazarded,
chicago will do" she asserted with
relief. Then the carriage stopped be-.
fore the great station.
He hurried her through the station
and up to the ladies' waiting room,
where he found quiet corner and
large rocking-chair, in which he placed
her SO that she might look out of the
great window upon the panorama of
the evening street. and yet be thor
ougiy screened from all intruding
glances by the big leather and brass
screen of the ladies' bootblack."
He was gone fifteen minutes, during
which the girl sat quietly in her chair,
yet alert, every nerve strained. At
any moment the mass of faces she was
watching might reveal one whom she
dreaded to see, or detective might
place his hand upon her shoulder with
quiet Come with me-
When Durham came back, the nerv-
GUS start she gave showed him how
tense and anxious had been her mind.
lie Studied her lovely face under the