The Pulaskian., 1920-04-08

| relief at a little college pin I was wearing. She was blushing now from confusion at her mistake, and the ris- ing red in her cheeks added greatly to her exquisite loveliness.
 "I was to meet someone here," she faltered; "you quite understand, don't yonY'
 l T understand perfectly" I answer l ed, and recalling the scar-faeed man who had been lurking in the bushes, I hurried on to say, "but if I can be of any service"
 "No. mo- she sobbed, apparently l overwhelmed by whatever it was that was besettfng her Its nothing nothing anyone can help.'
 "TelI me about the man you were to meet here."
 "Who are you?" she demanded, her suspicion suddenly rising at my ques- 1 ton. You're not a detective?" 'Far from ft,n answered amused ly. ''Fm just plain spalding Nelson, on my way to dine with my great uncle Rufus Gaston."
 "Ohr" she said, relieved. "their apartment is on the same floor as ours"
 "Teii me about the man you were to meet" insisted. T may have seen him."
 Did you? What was he like?" she 1 demanded eagerly. Don't you know hfm?" countered.
 "No, T never saw him. I don't even know who he is. I only know that there was to be man waiting here on this bench this evening. We were both to wear red carnations. I was to come here alone, to see him and to get the"
 She stopped abruptly and tearing off the flower she was wearing. trampled it viciously under her foot,
 Not so loud" I warned her, fear fui lest they might still be lurking about and overhear us. "There were two of them"
 Two she whispered, turning pale.
 "Yes, one waiting here on this bench, and the other, villainous scar-faced fellow, hiding in the bushes wonder"
 "I dare not go on with it." she sobbed, ''T dare not! dare not! Oh, what shall do?".
 "The thing to. do now," replied, lis for you to let me accompany you back to your home. They will make no further attempt to meet you this eve ming. since my presence has spoiled their plans. Come, let me escort you, Miss
 As hesitated over the name she answered simply:
 Bradford-Barbara Bradford"
 She pondered for moment over my suggestion and then turned to walk with me toward the apartment house.
 What were the men like?" she asked.
 I described them as best I could, though really the impression that the youth on the bench had left was vague. His voice, an insolent, hoarse, uncul- tivated one, was almost all I could re- call about him.
 T wonder who they were? won- der how they knew?"
 "Knew what?'
 Her lips frightened into a straight line.
 T can't tell you. I daren't. It isn't my secret"
 By this time we had reached her home and the lowing doorman was swinging back the great iron door for us. It had been my intention to announce my arrival, but recalling that Miss Bradford had said that the Gaston apartment was on the same floor as hers, I stepped with her into the elevator. When it had descended, leaving us together in the corridor, she turned to me and offered her hand.
 "Thank you so much, Mir. Nelson"
 T wish you'd let me help you," I cried.
 She shook her head.
 "Well, promise me one thing" I in- sisted.
 "What Is it?"
 "That you never again will go alone to the park to meet those men,"
 A tremor shook her body, and once more look of terror crept into her eyes.
 'I can't promise that. I must meet them. I musti I must"
 1 reached out and took her hand.
 Promise me, then, that before you go again you will let me know"
 You must not try to stop my go ing she cried desperately and free ing her hand turned quickly and un locking her door left me standing there alone, staring after her.
 Perplexed beyond measrre as to what I ought to do, after a moment I pressed the bell and was admitted to the Castor apartment and to the pres ence of my aged relatives.