Sharp County record., 1917-10-12
A FRANK OPINION
By ARTHUR PEACH.


the last one for the night, and 1t con-
famed only two passengers besides
bimself-a girl and fashily dressed
young fellow. -,
But Haydon's thoughts rested with
his fellow passengers only Drlel
time. He was thinking that somethlng
was wrong with him. For four years
he had worked as a clerk in the ofhce
Of the firm without a raise OF salary.
He had made few friends-and not
girl had ever smiled upon him.
A light touch on his shoulder drew
his attention, and he turned to look
into the oval-shape face Of the girl pas
senger. 1t was a girlish face, and on
If was an anxious, worried expression
that gave a touch of pathos to her
dark eyes. She sank into the seat with
him, and spoke hurriedly.
"Please don't think me forward, but
that man there has been following me,
think. I've seen him few times be-
fore, live in this section, and l have
quite way to walk through a dark
street. viii you help me? I-l-really
don't know what to do. Can you tell
me what to DOT"
Hayden was dazed for more than a
moment. No girl ever had spoken to
him other than in the course OF busi-
ness, and here was pretty, frightened
girl asking his aid. He looked ahead
at the man to whom she had referred,
He was broad shouldered and the
shoulders suggested strength.
Hayden moved his feet uneasily. VI
don't know" he answered hesitatingly.
II don't believe he will hurt you."
The girls sensitive face flushed quick
ly. He saw that she looked at him
with contempt. Without a word she
went to her seat.
The car sped on. At last, the girls
hand was raised as a signal to stop. AS
she did so, the other man reused him
self and repeated the signal.
With q white face, the girl rose and
staggered down the aisle to the door,
and after her the man whom she
feared. After they had allghted and
the car had moved away, the conduc-
tor, a slight, gaunt faced youth, came
up to Hayden.
"What was the matter with the
grill" he asked.
Hayden told him. The lean Jaw
dropped, and the young fellow stared
at Hayden. "Why didn't you go with
her." he demanded.
"Why should I butt in?" was the
half-hearted reply.
The conductor turned with an oath
Of disgust. ~ know what the trouble
Is with you-you're blamed coward !"
He jerked the bell. "Now you get
off, beat 1t back there, and see that
girl home! You don't ride on this
carp
In moment he was outside, the
car was vanishing and he was saying
to himself: "That's just what's wrong
Pm cowardW
A new sensation caught and tore in
his throat-a wrenchlng, gagging force
that was the pride Of manhood reused
and stung to the quick. He found him
self sprlnting down the avenue toward
the side street up which the girl had
fled.
Then he made out indistlnctly
through the darkness two figures Just
beyond him and at the same moment
n terrified call for help broke the 81
lence.
A sDarl broke from Haydon's lips,
He clutched forward wildly and his
fingers sank into throat--a m0n'sl
Then followed a desperate pressure
Of muscles against his. His head was
battered and bruised, his body tor
tured with the weight placed upon It (;
but his fingers held to the throat. Over
and over, UP and down, back and forth
In the darkness and mire Of the street,
they struggled for tho mastery until
Hayden knew no had won.
Hayden let 80 and sat up. Three
policemen We're lifting limp figure
Into the tonneNu Of their cur. Ono Of
them came back to him. "You better
come along with us. You're battered
up In great shape, II you only knew It.
Wen take the girl along to her house."
Hayden, refusing the offered arm,
staggered to the car and, entering It.
sank weakly into seat. Something
pressed against him In the darkness as
the car started, something clasped
around his neck and something
warm and fragrant rested on his lips.
Again shock cleared his conscious.
ness-the lips Of the girl
They left her at her home, n humble
little place. Then the car turned
away.
On the way back to tho station, Hay.
don asked one Of the officers how they
happened to come.
"The conductor Of one OF the cnrs
stopped In. We were doubtful, but We
thought II would do no harm 10 run
out By the way, II must take some
Ia Ia Ia q.