New Britain herald., 1922-03-06
A Request Madgc Could Not Evnde

A Request Madgc Could Not Evnde
 For minutes that seemed hours hours that dragged interminahly like days. our train moved a few inches at n time, stopped discouragingly. and repeated the performance until at last when my nerves at least. and think. those or everybody else in the car, were fraazled to the last degree of endufarce-we finally pulled into the station ir New York city.
 My agitation had not been soothed, insteal 1t had been augmented by the presence of the mysterious foreigner In the next seat. who claimed 10 be a friend o! my fathers, and who showed so comprehensive knowl- edge of my affairs.
 To do him justice, from the moment l had checked his references to the Kidnapping of Junior he had made no more personal allusons, and had really relieved the tedium of our long wait by desultory talk which some times ran along the level of common places, and at times ascended to some thing akin to briliance. But all the time, like a swift undercurrent to my own talk, ran my furtive scrutiny of the man, my speculation as to his real identity
 The Stranger Persists
 For by this time I had definitely made up my mind that he was an American masquerading as foreigner for some purpose of his own. This purpose I guessed was connected with Co in some way he had known of my presence on the train, and had joined me deliberately. I was sure. My common sense pointed out the absurdity of this theory. but a queer little psychic intuition which I have learned to heed in the past insisted upon its essential truth.
 This same psychic intuition also in- sisted upon something else--the con- viction that behind the disguising Vandyke and mustache. and the thick lenses of the eyeglasses there was masked face 1 ought to know. But I resolutely banished this thought as altogether too melodramatic to be worthy a seconds consideration.
 Of one thing, however, I was sure that l must elude him at the station, should he give any indication of fol- lowing me. There had been an excuse for his attentions on the stalled train, but there could be no possible excuse for his continuing his exaggerated courtesy Yet there were distinct signs that he meant at least to see me safely to the station, something I al ,f ol,- solute churlishness
 Just before the train halted finally at the station platform he rose with grandiose bow, went to his own chair, brought his exceedingly smart travelling bag across the car. picking up mine as he did so. r suppose my face must have showed my involun- tary protest for he smiled enigmati cally showing glimpse of extremely white and well-formed teeth, a glimpse which set my thoughts again whirlins rentniscently and specula- lively into the past.
 Madge Loses Consciousness.
 T surely may s)e permitted to se- cort my old friends daughter to her destination" he said, with grandiose courtesy, tinged with subtle master fulness which l resented without being able to express my displeasure, for he did not wait for my answer, but strode down the aisle to the door. I could do nothing save hurry after him. more than little upset by the sudden rec ollection that my purse was in the bag being borne so swiftly toward the platform.
 Was the man, after all, only cheap thief? l dismissed this thought as quickly as I had the other, but my vague uneasiness persisted as I caught up with him at the door of the car, where he had waited for me. and saw by his expression and demeanor that he did not mean to lose sight of me for awhile at least.
 And then, when he had stepped to the platform and had climbed the stairs we found ourselves in a swirl ing mob of commuters who for the very force of their hurrying numbers could not help showing each other dangerously about From the ex- camation and excited chatter about us we learned that the whole com mut1ng system had been ted up tor hours, and I mentally commented that in my mother-in- laws expressive lan- guage, most of the commuters were also fit to be tied .
 Jostled both unintentionally and with inconsiderabe rudeness, buffeted on all sides. l was glad enough for the protection the mysterious foreigners st tronp shoulders afforded as he made way for me through the crowd. But his very strength made me think again of the incongruity between this exhibition and his venerable appear ince. This was no elderly man who compelled a passage for me, or else ne belonged in a dime museum, as the champion of his age and class,
 We had reached the swinging doors leading to the waiting room and he --bnrdonei with both bags - had |