t later, a man's voice began singing
"Annie Rooney," a melody then past its prime in the cities, but
popularized in Bayport by some departed batch of summer boarders.

She did not recognize the voice and she did not particularly approve of
singing in the streets, especially such loud singing. So she decided not
to wait longer, and was turning to continue her climb, when the person
behind stopped his vocalizing and called.

"Hi!" he shouted. "Hello, ahead there! Who is it? Hold on a minute,
pard! I'm comin'."

She disobeyed the order to "hold on," and began to hurry. The hurry was
of no avail, however, for the follower broke into a run and soon was by
her side. He was a stranger to her.

"Whee! Wow!" he panted. "This is no race track, pard. Pull up, and let's
take it easy. My off leg's got a kink in it, and I don't run so easy as
I used to. Great snakes; what's your rush? Ain't you fond of company?
Hello! I believe it's a woman!"

She did not answer. His manner and the smell of liquor about him were
decidedly unpleasant. The idea that he might be a tramp occurred to her.
Tramps are our bugaboos here in Bayport.

"A woman!" exclaimed the man hilariously. "Well, say! I didn't believe
there was one loose in this tail-end of nowhere. Girlie, I'm glad to see
you. Not that I can see you much, but never mind. All cats are gray in
the dark, hey? You can't see me, neither, so we'll take each other on
trust. 'She's my sweetheart, I'm her beau.' Say, Maud, may I see you
home?"

She was frightened now. The Whittaker place on the hilltop was the
nearest house, and that was some distance off.

"What's the matter, Carrie?" inquired the man. "Don't be scared. I
wouldn't hurt you. I'm just lonesome, that's all, and I need society.
Don't rush, you'll ruin your complexion. Here! come under my wing and
let's toddle along together. How's mamma?"

He seized her arm and pulled her back beside him. She tried to free
herself, but could not. Her unwelcome escort held her fast and she was
obliged to move as slowly as he did. It was very dark.

"Say, what IS your name?" coaxed the man. "Is is Maud, hey? Or Julia? I
always liked Julia. Don't be peevish. Tell us, that's a good girl."

She gave a quick jerk and managed to pull her arm from his grasp,
giving him a violent push as she did so. He, being unsteady on his feet,
tumbled down the low bank which edged the sidewalk. Then she ran on up
the hill as fast as she could. She heard him sw