"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," pleaded Jeanne, who was quite a little upset by the episode. "Please stay with me." "Very well." The old man saw her nervousness and acquiesced willingly. "He can't get off the train so long as this rate of speed is kept up, and I'll see about getting him later. Now tell me all about it." Jeanne gave him a succinct account of what the man had said and done. "And I was so glad when you came up as you did," she said in finishing. "But I did not expect to see you here, sir, and I thank you so much for your assistance." "Tut, tut! It is every American's duty to look after women folks when they travel alone. I had just come from the smoker and saw as I entered the door that something was wrong. As the ruffian had my seat I came up at once and demanded it of him. But you are not more surprised to see me than I was to recognize the little patriot of the handkerchiefs. Aren't you a long way from home?" "Yes, sir; I am, but I am going to visit my Uncle Ben in New Orleans." "Rather a troublesome time for a visit," remarked the other musingly. Then as a deep flush suffused the girl's cheek, he added keenly, "I know that there are sometimes reasons why visits should be made even though the times be perilous. There! I am not going to ask any questions, so don't look at me like that. My name is Emanuel Huntsworth, and I live near Corinth, Mississippi. I was formerly a New Englander but settled in the South a number of years ago. My Union sentiments having made me obnoxious to my neighbors I feared for the safety of my family and am returning from moving them North. I am going back now to wind up my business, when I shall go North once more to do what I can for the government. If you have no friends with you, perhaps you have no objections to my company as far as our ways lie together."