The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1916-10-06
CONTINUED from Yesterday
CHAPTER XVI.


A 8 night came Jim sat up straight
~ and looked about. Many were
unable to sleep. A boy across
from him was opening an en-
velope, which had been opened before
and was taking out a letter to reread:
1t was girls handwriting; Jim could
see that. He had Agnes last letter
In his pocket, but he had no impulse
at all to reread It,
A few men were passing up and
down the aisles. There was one boy
with remarkably handsome and SEN
sitive face, with thick black hair cut
short, and with excellent eyes. He
wore the loose blouse and kicker
bockers and puttees of an aviator's
him curiously He did not belong to
the battalion, but Jim had heard that
volunteer ayiators would join the regi
ment when 1t took to the field Evil
IDENTIFY this was one of the amateur
aviators who had volunteered for such
service. The boy went forward through
the train and then returned. Jim got
a better look at his face now. and he
sat up straighter, suddenly. The boy,
glancing at Jim, also seemed to start.
but IL he did he Immediately recov
cred himself and went on. Jim jumped
up and stood staring down the aisle.
He knew that boy; he was sure of It.
But where had he seen him before,
and under what circumstances? Jim's
pulses were pounding. He certainly
knew that face, and, though he could
not place It yet, the semi-recognitio
stirred him with hot alarm. Surely
he had seen that boy before! All. now
he knew! He had seen him, but not
as a boy. That was a girl when Jim
last saw her-a girl In an evening
gown and with her heavy hair, uncut.
dressed In the latest fashion: she was
the girl who laughed at him ms he
pointed bis revolver to brighten her.
and who dared him to shoot her as she
advanced upon him when he backed
toward the window In the house of the
spies!
She reached the end of the car, and
as she opened the door she glanced
back casually and saw him standing
and staring at her; she hesitated a
moment as though to make sure she
was the object of his attention, then
she went through the door and let 1t
close behind her. Jim hurried down
the aisle and dashed after her into the
vesdbule between the coaches; he
crossed the platforms to the door of
the next coach to the rear before
he saw that the girl had not gone
further; she was standing quietly at
the side Of the platform OF the rear
car with her back to the door, which,
when the trap over the steps was
lifted, opened to the side Of the train.
There was the customary light In the
vestibule which showed her express
sion clearly.
"Good EVENING" she nodded pleas
antly to him as he turned toward her.
"Good evening" he returned.
amazed.
"This is awfully hot she said, un-
buttoning her blouse at the throat and
barring her neck IF any one comes
out keep between him and me, won't
you? Oh, this is very much bettergs
what are you doing hereg he de-
manded with attempted sternness-
you think 1t inconceivable that /
have turned patriotg'
Turned patriot?'
"Or, rather" she corrected, that
may have been patriot all the time y
What do you meanY
$50 you escaped from the hospital7'
"Oh, quite four days ago" She
reached into pocket and drew forth
box of cigarettes, opened 1t and Of
fered It to him.
"You are going to smoker" he asked
her.
No but wish you TO. If you want