The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-01-17

ITHEN, IN upon my preoccupation,
| burst woman's scream
aroused myself from reverie,
looking about to right and left. Evi-
IDENTIFY | had been walking slowly. for
| was less than 100 yards from Wyatt's
buildings and hard by the entrance of
an uninviting alley from which !
thought the scream had proceeded
And as | hesitated for | had no de
sire TO become involved in drunken
brawl, again came the shrill scream
Help help"
! cannot say il ] was the only passer-
by who heard the cry; certainly ! was
the only one who responded to it,
ran down the narrow street, which was
practically deserted, and heard win
dows thrown up as | passed; for the
cries for help continued
Just beyond patch of light cast by
a street lamp an old woman, from
whose hand a basket OF provisions had
fallen, was struggling in the grasp OF
a tall Oriental! He was evidently try
ing to stifle her screams and at the
same time to pinion her arms behind
her.
] perceived that there was more in
this scene than met the eye. And since
| carried short sharp argument in my
pocket | hastened TO advance it,
Al the sight Of the cleaning revolver
barrel. the man turned and ran swift
ly off. ! had scarce a glimpse of his
pallid brown face ere he was gone, nor
did the thought OF pursuit enter my
mind turned to the old woman who
was dressed in shabby black and who
WI. rearranging her thick veil in an
oddly composed manner, considering
the nature OF the adventure that had
befallen her.
She picked up her basket, and turned
away Needless to say ! was rather
shocked at her callous inera,itude, for
she offered no word OF thanks, did not
even glance in my direction, but made
off hurriedly toward Waterloo road
perceived as she passed under an ad
jaoent lamp, tina, her basket contained
provisions such as a woman of her ap-
pearance would scarcely be expected
to purchase ! noted a bottle Of wine
q chicken and a large pineapple
The nationality OF the assailant from
the first had marked the affair for no
ordinary one and now ha,y notioh
Of what lay behind all thi, began to
come 10 me-
Keeping well IN the shadow, on the
opposite side Of the way. ! followed the
woman with the basket She came ou,
into Waterloo road, crossed over and
stood waiting by stopping place for
electric cars, ! saw her arranging a
cloth over her basket In such a way as
eHectually to conceal its contents. A
strong mental excitement possessed me
A theory, covering all the facts OF the
assault incident, now presented itself
and ] stood back in the shadow, watch.
iul; in degree, exultant.
A Greenwich bound car wa, hailed
by the woman with the basket could
not be mistaken. I felt sure, in my be-
lief that she cast furtive glances abou,
here ., she mounted the step. But
having seen her actually aboard, my
attention became elsewhere engaged
All now depended upon securing cab
before the tramcar had passed from
view
counted IL an act OF Providence
that q disengaged taxi appeared at tina,
moment, evidently bound for Waterloo
station. ] ran out into the road with
cane upraised.
AZ the man drew up, cried
Quick You see tha, Greenwich car
nearly At the ophthslmic hospital
Follow IL Don't get too near. | will
give you further instruction, through
the tube"
leaped in. We were off
The rocking car ahead was rounding
the bend now, toward ST Georges Cir.
Gus. AS II passed the clock and en-.
tered South London road Il stopped Il
raised the tube N
Pass Il slowlyr
We skirted the clock tower, and bors
around TO the right Then I drew well
back in the corner Of the cab.
The woman with the basket was de,.
eendine
Pull up few yard, beyond" I di.
| rsetsd