The Cry at Midnight

R OF TH

he girl by inches. Somewhat shaken by the n

the side window of the coupe, she gazed curiously

d Penny. "Whoever she is, she shouldn't be walking alo

a hitchhiker, Penny?

ut this is different. It's storming

t her head through the window o

he turned toward the car with a startled expression. Penny and Louise sa

the girl shook her he

afraid to ride with us than we were to pick her up. S

sed as she is," declared Louise, now con

ed alongside. "Please, can't we give

eath of wind swept a lock of dark hair across her thin face. Imp

tears. It occurred to her that the girl might be running

coming down heavier every minute. Of course, yo

the automobile and squeezed in beside Louise. However, she scarcely glanced at the gi

ead. "Going far?

don't

to stare at the girl. She started to ask a quest

not allow the odd rep

ng!" she exclaimed. "Do you mean you

haven't decided where I'll go or what I'll do when I reach

, you come from some dist

l made

determined to learn the stranger's name. "T

introduction. She did not volunteer her own nam

near here?" L

," she said. "I don't feel like answering quest

ly didn't mean to be personal," she returned s

No further attempt at

y very poor. She was greatly relieved when they reached the outskirts of t

ew, the strange girl began t

t anywhere," sh

?" Penny

the river dock

the nex

me off the

t? No boats are running and there are no houses or busines

's where I wa

r strange passenger. At the next turn in the road,

car door and reach

oice. "I'm sorry if I seemed rude and unfr

ld answer, the car door cl

the latter demanded furiously.

Penny said, frowning. "Why otherwis

in getting out on this

ne seems to be about, but even so, a girl

. She seemed to know

ponsible," Penny returned uneasil

ard the river. Now at the corner, she paus

ssed shrewdly. "For some reason, she doesn

's wait a

ye on her." Penny threw in the clutch and the car rolled away f

hat way she'll think we've gone an

As they again came within view of the ice-locked river, the girls looke

ried. "Why, she's walkin

fied and not a little worried. At this

g figure for a moment, and

t she's doing!" she decid

may be told to mi

he point, Lou. S

street toward the docks. Far ahead they could see the one they pursued wa

Louise gazed about in disbelief and

ny murmured, only to break off as he

k for a short distance, only