The Mystery of Mary

d in a moment more they were shut into the semi-darkness of

r was shut, the gi

collection. "They were so very kind. It was dreadful to impose upon the

nd, and that was all that we claimed. For the rest, you have certainly mad

assing stranger peered curiously at them, and the girl shrank back in fear. It was momentar

-like tone, as if it were his privilege and right to do all tha

an any one could expect. If you can have the carriage stop in some quiet, out-of-the-way street where I shall not be noticed, I will get out and relieve you. If I hadn't been so f

ght you have given me and my friends. I could not think of leaving you until you are out of your trouble, and if you will only give me a little hint of how to

ddered

will try to think for you. Suppose we go to the station and get you a ticket to somewhere. Have you any preference? You can trust me not to tell

distressed "You must not think

ut his hand in appeal. She laid her li

if it were the only thing she coul

ticket. I have no mo

I will gladly supply your need. A l

y drew off her glove and slipped a glittering ring from her finger-"unless you will let

. Let me do this. It is such a small thing. I shall never mis

ut the ring. "I shall get right o

ave you the ring, and y

ould want me to use it this way." She presse

old the little thing, yet warm from her fingers. He had forgotten that she w

il you want it agai

im it," she declared. "You are at liberty

ted. "Now let us talk about this journey of yours. We are almost at the station.

ook he

s to New York ev

gasped in a fr

Washingt

t go to Washington,

Chicago?"

ng with life. Policemen strolled about, and trolley-cars twinkled in every direction. The girl shrank back into the shadows of

f you were my friend. You are, you know, a friend of long standing, for we have been to a dinner together. I mi

-chair, in which he placed her so that she might look out of the great window upon the panorama of the evening street, a

nerve strained. At any moment the mass of faces she was watching might reveal one whom she dre

y face under the great hat, and noted the dark shadows beneath her eyes. He felt that he must do something to relieve her.

side her, he began ta

at your mercy," she smiled sadly.

r the pleasure you have given me i

-case at his feet, and exclaimed: "Here you are, Mr. Dunham. Had a fier

didn't think you had time to get down ye

given him, touched his

there yesterday. I don't exactly know what's in it. I had the man pack it and send it down to me, thinking I might stay all night at the club. Then I went home, after all, and forgot to take it along. It probably hasn't anything very appropriate for a lady's costume, but there may be a hair-brush and s

t it, but her face was deeply s

htful thing you have done yet," she said. "

being called. We'd better go right out and make yo

-room with one quick, frightened look. An obsequious porter at th

thanks again. She knew the seclusion and the opportunity to lock the compartment door would giv

ial came through the car. "I have taken this trip with him a number of times. Just sit d

less satisfactory and comforting. Then the young man walked through the train to interview the porter and the newsboy, and in every way to arrange for a pleasant journey for one who three hours before had been unknown to him. As he went, he reflected that

section, where she could not be seen from the aisle, but where she could watch in the mirror the approach of

liminary shudder, he lingered to tell her that she must be sure to let him know by telegraph if she ne

train until she was past that stop, and then returned on the next train from the little flag-station a few miles above, where he could have gotten the conductor to slow up for him? The swiftly moving cars asked t

that dude think he is made of, any way? Like

f, and scolded him vigorously. The young man hurried through the car, oblivious of the eloquent ha

of the window next her, and was gazing with wide, frightened eyes into the fast f

voice. "It was going so fast! But you did not get off, after all,

y, and so I got on again. There wasn't much time for getting on gracefully, but you'll have to excuse it. The fact is, I couldn't bear to le

she protested, her eyes

take the down train, you know. Really, the fact is, I couldn't let y

ttle white about the lips, and

at you should show me a little consideration? Just give me an address, or something, where I could let you know if I heard of

you back these things." She touched the cloak and the hat. "You might nee

were nearing the flag station. After that there would be no mor

u are safely located," he said with sudden daring. "It se

think what people-what your mother, for instance-would think of me if she were ever to k

I ought to take care of you,

e said firmly, lifting her t

to let me know if

red, "because, while you have been a true friend to me

ll you accept it from me? I have your ring, you know, and when you take the ring back you may, if you wish, return the purse. I wish it were a better one, but it was the most decent one they had. You will need it to carry your ticket. And I have put in the change. It would not do

young woman of her apparent refinement. On the other hand, his friends would probably say he was a fool for having hazarded so much as he had upon a

o put my ticket, nor any money. This seems a fortune after being penniless"-she smiled ruefully. "Ar

said happily. It pleased him absurdly t

rice of the ticket and this money as soo

"You know I have your ring. That is far mo

the ring, so that will not pay for this,

train was whistling and that the

old me your name,"

he answered, smiling.

s not your

e," she said. "Now go, please, q

mber that I am

k you. Hur

on into the night, and only two twinkling lights, like diminishing red berries, marked the progress of the train