The Washington times., 1919-04-10

thoughts and struggled for self
command. Somewhere in the city
there must be a railroad station
from which a train would take her
home.
With the thought came the des-
perate longing for flight, and a
rush of tears that almost choked
her. Nothing mattered now except
her mothers arms; the rest was \
nightmare, the horror Of a dream
which still threatened. still clutched
at her with shadowy and spectral
menace.
Fighting for SC7I-CNntrOI.
For a moment or two she stood
there on the curb, her eyes closed.
hghting for self-control, forcing.
her disorganized brain to duty.
Somebody must help her to find a
railroad station and a train. That
gradually became clear to her. But
when she realized that, young
man sauntered up beside her and
looked at her so intentlI' that her
calmness gave way and she turned
her head sharply to conceal the
starting tears.
Hello, grille. he said. "GOt any
lnln on IonlBnl--
With head averted,- she stood
there. rigid. dumb, her tear
drenched eyes fixed on the park;
and after one or two jocose OBJ
servatIons-thesy young man became
discouraged and went away. But he
had thrust the fear OF strangers
deep into her heart; and now she
dared not ask any man for informa-
tion. However, when two young
women passed she found sufficient
courage to. accost them asking the
objection of the railroad station
from which trains departed for
Gayfield. .,-.1 a-s.r.-s
The women, who were young and
brightly colored in plumage, dis
played sympathetic interest at
aGayfeId?" repeated the blonder
of the two. Gee. dearie, I never
heard of that place. >"
as II cn Long Island?" inquired
the other.
..No. 1t is in Mohawk county"
s'eThat's a new one, too. Mohawk
county? Never heard Of it, did
you I.ii?"
search me-"
rs it upstate, dearie:" asked
LuG OLuEA. VI gNNN~A ~ -
Madison avenue and take car to
the Grand Central"
wait" interrupted her friend;
"she better take a taxi"
nix on taxi you pick up on
Sixth avenue" And to Rue, Gu
riously sympathetic; SAY, you've
got friends here. haven't you, little
one2"
"fSo.''
'.What! You don't know anyone
in New York.
Rue looked at her dumbly: then,
: of suddeP, she remembered Nee
land. I<
Rue Remembers An AeqpAnitance.
yes" she said. ST know one per
SON"
where does your friend liye?"
In her reticule was the paper on
which he had written the address
of the Art Students League, and
as an afterthought. his own ad-
dress. C-E
Rue lifted the blue silk bag, open
ed it. took out her purse and found
Zone Hundred and Six. West
Fifty-ffftlA street" she read; Stu
s'why, that isn't far!' said the
blonder Of the two. I'VE are going
that way. Wen take you there"
II don't know don't know him
very we'll"
''Is- it a MANI
''Yes. He 1oomes from my town,
Gayfield-'
oh / guess that's all right" said
the other woman, laughing. You
got TO be leery of these men, little
one. Come on; well show you
Tt was emily four blocks; Ruhannah
presently found herself on the steps
OF a house from which dangled
a sign. Studios and Bachelor
Apartments to Let"
What's his name?" said the woE>-
an addressed as Lii
Mr. Neeland."
BY the light Of the vestibule
lantern they inspected the letter
boxes. found Neeland's name, and
pushed the electric button.
After A few seconds the door
clicked and opened.
Now, you're all right."' said LII.
peering into the lighted hallway.
ITS on the fourth floor and there
isn't any elevator that I can see, 50
you keep on going upstairs till your
friend meets you"
Thank you so much for your
great kindness"
Rue Encounters NeeIand.
Don't mention it. Good luck.
dearie"
The door clicked behind her, aU5
Rue found herself alone.
The stairs, fanked by a massive
baIustrade of some dark, polished
wood, ascended in spirals by a short
series Of flights and landings. Twice
she rested, her knees almost giving
way, for the climb upward seemed
interminabIe. But at last, jus5
above her, she saw a skylight, and
a great stair window giving on a
court; and, as She toiled up and
stood clinging. breathless. to the
banisters on the top landing, out
OF an open door stepped Neeland's
shadoWy figure, dark against the
hall light behind him.
For heavens sakeT he said.
What on earth"
The suitcase fell from her nerve
less hand; she swayed a little where
she stood.
The next moment he had passed
his arm around her, and was half
leading. half carrying her through
a short hallway into a big, bril-
liantly lighted studio.
CHAPTER XII