The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-17


 had thrashed out this question with the woman which had suddenly grown up in her she could not make of her marriage with Ned the sacred relation ship which she had held as her ideal. The black Nandyked man passed quite her. gazing at her with smile She walked around him.
 Where should she go? Home? She could her father and mother plying her with question upon question. driving her to tears with their worried n sistence and their utter lack of understanding How could they understand problem which had grown 5 up since their youth had passed? Not home then.
 If not home. where then. As if from the setting sun the answer came to her. Just New York. So big and intent upon itself that friends may dwell around the corner for years and never know.
 Ned at that moment extracting slow informa- ton from half deaf and totally dumb old woman with cross grained disposition Yes, she had young woman get off the train at station back there. She didn't know if the station Farm vile or not but the girl had rice in the brim of her little hat.
 June Warner. alone the station platform. had grapped meantime with the first problem of her in- dependence. That problem had to do with the means of getting to New York, and it was con- cretey expressed in her beautiful little gold watch
 In the meantime Ned's train had drawn up at the next stop. and he had the station master in Farnville in minute and inquring for a lone- ly bride
 "Why, yes," huskily shouted the station master at Farnvie. "A young person of that description has been loafing around here the platform and she's just getting on the down local,' reported q pointed black whiskers. He's helping her on the train"
 A black vandyked stranger Ned almost rselsd So that was why she had left the trainl
 Stop themr' he yelled. But the phone vas dead. station masters busy people.
 A train thundered ina down train. Ned looked at the bulletin board. The New York express It arrived in New York at the same time the local. The first passenger to board that train was per- spring faced young man, swinging four pieces of white ribboned luggage
 June, paying but little attention to the who had helped her, turned nervousy into the car day coach, and viewed the interior with despair. In that coach there only two passengers a man and woman sitting together.
 Would you like to buy watch?" invited June in her smallest voice she confronted the rigid woman and held out her merchandise.
 "No,' returned the woman without moving muscle. Only her feather wabbled. The man cast at the merchandise look of contempt
 Its very nice watch.' urged June "Its solid gold case and don't know how many jewels. I only need money enough to get to New York and hire taxi. Then must find some work
 The black Nandyked mans eyes lighted. "I don't want it. observed the woman, looking straight ahead while the man's glance of contempt strayed from the merchandise to the vender welLr nodded Jnne and grain of rice fell 5 from the brim of her little blue hat and bounced in the rigid wonlan's lap.
 The woman turned sharply then she half rose and looked at the top of the hat. There was more rice on it
 Let me that watch" she said icy. One lid contained picture of June and her dog and the other the date of the gift and her and address
 How much do you need for thsT
 She wants about $10 maam" This was from the pale faced conductor, who so broad and stuffy that he otfense In narrow aises but his eyes were full of wrinkles
 The rigid lady snapped the watch shut and turned to her husband. Dan" It did not seem possible that her voice could take on wheedling tone. but it did. q want $1O."
 The man turned to her with cold disdain He produced $10 from tight bound wallet and in. stanty into June's mind there flashed that picture of her standing before Ned piteous beggar!
 The runaway bride took seat by herself and was presently given the discomfort of knowing that the map was grumbling at the woman inccs. sanity for having bought the watch. The black Vandyked man went over to them, and she saw him pay some money, and then he came back to June with the watch in his hand.
 "Of course you won't permit me to present you with thisy' he pleasantly observed. .'lf you care to send for it later, however, 1 will be very glad indeed to give you my card"
 Thank you.' she accepted. and, taking the card put 1t in her belt. You very kind'
 It was not until they were nearing the station iu New York that he spoke to her again
 Pardon me- he said bending over her "If can be Of any service to you on your arrival shall be very happy indeed
 There is nothing, thank you" she replied smil ing up at him. You very kind"
 At that particular moment the New York express overlook the local and slowly forged ahead and Ned Warner, peering feverishly into every passing window saw the suave, black Vandyked stranger bending gracefully his wife, and June was smiling up at him! Then Ned against his will passed
 The express, however delayed moment and the local pulled in ahead of it. Ned was the first passenger out of the express, and he landed on the platform just in time to see the Vapdyked man and June going through the gate side by side Ned rushed after them. but it was not until he reached the Vanderbilt avenue stairway that he z saw them again. June darting through the door and just behind her the man. He was smiling. With rush Ned rousded the baustrade and went up three steps at spring He arrived only in time to see June speeding away in a taxi cab and to see the black Vandyked man starting after her in another. He jumped into third one and shouted
 'Chase themr
 Hold on there!' gasped breathless voice. and a pantng porter piled Ned's white ribboned lug. gage top of him.
 Away through the tangled traffic, across Forty. fourth street and up Fifth avenue rushed the three taxis at breakneck speed
 fro BE CONTINUED