Cheyenne record., 1914-08-13
CHATTER /.

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 II It knew its own short
comings and wished to make up for
them.
It was i've 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 II 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
slight noise behind him. as of soft.
hurrying footsteps, caught his atten-
ton, and a woman's voice broke upon
MS 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
Q moment, till you can show me how
to get out of this dreadful placer I
am very much frightened. and I'm
afraid shall be followed. Will you
tell me where I can go to hide?"
After an instant's astonished pause.
he obeyed her and kept on. making
room for her to walk beside him, while
He was aware. too, of the low rumble
Of train. coming from the mouth OF
the tunnel
His companion had gasped for
breath. but began again in q tone of
apology:
II saw you were gentleman. and
didn't know what to do. I 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 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 80
that the wrist he held was slender.
and that the sleeve which covered 1t
was of the finest cloth.
AS they emerged from the dark, the
man saw that his companion was
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
q 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.
mo. l cannot tell you what is the
matter"-she paused and looked at
him. with sudden comprehension Of
what he might be thinking about her
-"but-there is nothing-that isl
have done nothing wrong" She
paused again and looked up with eyes
yhose clear depths, he felt. could hide
40 guile.
"Of course" he murmured with de-
eision, and then wondered why he felt
80 sure about It,
Thank you." she said. Then. with
frightened perplexity: II don't know
where to go. l 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
money-and"-then with q sudden lit
tie movement Of dismay-"and have
no hat! Obi"
The young man felt strong desire