o know where I am going?"

"Because folks have to be keerful in times like these," said the other
brusquely. "Haven't yer got some money too?"

"I have none to give you," answered Jeanne. "And I would rather that you
would not sit by me any longer. Will you please go away?"

"Not if I knows myself and I think I do," laughed the man. "See here! I'll
go away if you will give me your purse. I know that it's in that there
basket. You take too much care of it fer it only ter hold yer food. Now
give it to me quick."

"I won't," said Jeanne determinedly clinging to the basket, for she had
put her purse there after buying some fruit. "If you touch this basket
I'll scream and the people will know what you are doing."

"Pooh! I'll tell them that you are my crazy sister that I'm taking to an
asylum," said the fellow easily. "Now you'd better give me that money."

"People would know that I was not your sister," exclaimed the girl
scornfully. "You don't look in the least like my brother. Now, sir, go
away."

"Not without that money. Sit down," he commanded gruffly as the girl half
rose from her seat.

Jeanne cast a wild, imploring look about her for help and sank back in her
seat despairingly, for the passengers seemed intent upon other concerns,
and the noise of the train prevented the conversation from being overheard.

"Are you going to hand out that money?"

"Ye-es," faltered Jeanne, reaching for her purse.

"What do you mean by frightening this girl?" demanded a voice, and a hand
was laid upon the ruffian's shoulder. "Get out of my seat, you rascal,
or I'll have you thrown off the car."

A cry of delight escaped Jeanne's lips as she saw that the man who
had come to her assistance was the old gentleman who had bought the
handkerchiefs from her during the fair.

"I--I did not mean any harm," stammered the fellow, resigning the seat
with alacrity. "I was jest trying ter scare the girl a little."

"Well, let me catch you 'jest trying ter scare her,' any more, and it will
be the worse for you," cried the old gentleman threateningly. "Now clear
out, and let me see no more of you."

The fellow slunk off and her friend in need took the seat by Jeanne's side.

"That fellow was annoying you terribly, was he not?"

"Yes, sir; I was very much frightened, especially when he demanded my
money."

"What! Did he do that? Why the scamp! This is worse than I thought. I'll
get the conductor after him."

"Oh, let him go," ple