The Cotton Factory Times. — 1913-12-26 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

CHAPTER X. Nanette Nests Rex.  With a roar and a rattle the train drew into King's Cross. . . " Can I help you with your luggage?' the man asked quietly an he gathered the few articles he had with him.  "Oh, thanks, my friends brought it on with them—l expect one to meet me here--ah, there he is," Nanette exlaimed am the train stopped and she saw Crewson coming towards the carriage. He flung the door open, gave one glance at the other occupant of the carriage, and held out his hand.  "You're) on time," Le said. "Seen enough ut  I b-aVen't, it's just the loveliest pls., and I hated leaving it, only I knew you would all be growing impatient." The man was ckse behind her, and she felt his ears were taking in every word she said. She was about to plunge into a fervid description of imagimay beauties she had disoovered during her equally imaginary tour when Crewson cut in upon her words. _ _  " Your father has not yet returned, Mrs. Bur. bidge," he said. "Hasn't he *:" she exclaimed. "Why not, I wonder  Sh-e—Moved away from the carriage door as she spoke. Further along the train the caught eight of Rex leaving a compartment, and she turned her back towards him. "I am expecting word to-night. We will take oab."  " Excuse me, but you left your handkerchief in the carriage—this ie it." She turned with a start. Her travelling companion had come up behind her. Rex, a few yards away, met her glance, started, and came towards her as quickly as he could through the throng of passengers and porters on the platform. "Oh, thanks very much," she said as she took the handkerchief. "Now I guess I'm free," she added hastily to Crewson. He placed his hand on her arm with something of • protecting caress in the touch. Ile felt her , arm press his hand to her. Her eyes gave onel quick look into his, a look full of mute appeal. 1 Ile had hoped she would have had either a carriage to herself or else one filled with people on the journey, for were she to be with only one or two others it was scarcely possible that suspicions would not be roused against her with that wretched portrait published in every paper. It was madness to assume that no one would recognise eo striking a face as she had The appearance of that face in the midst of sensational details about the murder would impress it on everyone who read the story. Crewson noticed bow the One companion of her journey held the news paper he had offered Nanette in his hand; that, and the way the man looked at her and scrutinised him, told him the situation was teeming with dramatic poseibilities, and he interpreted her pressure on his band, her evident desire to talk voluble, and last of all the appealing look ehe had given him as no many indications that she also  knew. He piloted her quickly to the edge of the platform. and hailed a cab. As he was about to hand her into it he saw a young man force his way out of the throng and dash up to her. " Nanette! Nanette!" he cried. "Don't go! I must speak to you--at once. What have you  Beyond a sudden change of colour as the voice reached her Nanette suppressed every token of the dismay she felt. What she had feared whenever her mind dwelt on the subject all the way from Newcastle had happened! Rex had recognised her She nerved herself to fight through the  ordeal. She turned with one foot on the step of the cab, and looked him unwaveringly in the face, her own blank of the slightest recognition, before she let her glance move to Crowson. Crewson saw the flicker of terror which showed for the fraction of a second as her eyes met his. Then he stood between her and Rex. "Reckon you're making an error, stranger," he drawled. "Mrs. Burbidge don't went to know  Mrs. Brrthickev? !Alto's Mn. 73vrbidget That NAiletLe ilar-"