The Girl's Dream

NZ Truth, Issue 1195, 25 October 1928, Page 7

The Girl's Dream

sufficient, over such country, to

take them to Papatoetoe.

It . is not unreasonable to assume that the. unfortunate girl found herself m the company of a wolf m sheep's clothing, who sought to take advantage of her and achieve a foul purpose. .

He would be met by indignant,.persistent refusals and protests, and, if he is the man "Truth" pictures him, he would be just the type to tell her that until she responded to his advances he would' continue driving through the night. But what is the logical explanation of the stop for petrol— somewhere? What more natural than that the man at the wheel should simulate repentance for his conduct and pretend that he would take her back home after he had replenished -the tank?

That would be precisely the explanation a young and frightened girl would accept — and this acceptance would explain why she did not leave the car and seek the protection of others. Once more on the road it is easy to assume that the man, having no intention of driving the girl home, drove off m the opposite direction — to continue his objectionable attentions.

And, m this way, the car and its occupants reached the outskirts of Auckland.

"Truth" does not accept as a reasonable supposition the suggestion that Elsie Walker left the car at Papatoetoe.

It is more likely that the car was driven away from the actual scene of her death and left at Papatoetoe as a blind.

What, , then, happened when the scene of the tragedy was reached some time on the Tuesday afternoon?

The man who accompanied Elsie

Walker was by. this time, faced, with a serious problem, where his

own safety from trouble was concerned.

• Faced with the risk of the girl— in-^ dignant, insulted and almost hysterical at the treatment to which she had been' subjected — returned home to reveal .his identity and cause serious trouble, even to the point of police interference, this man knew that unless he could bend her to his will, a ready victim, to his suggestions, he was threatened- with disgrace and imprisonment.

" Hence ; the motive — when the,; girl finally resisted his advances— to put her out of "the way.

It has been stated that a blue car was seen not far away during: the Tuesday afternoon, standing stationary.

Was it the car m which Elsie Walker and her escort motored from Te Puke?

It is reasonable to assume that it was. The question now arises as to what happened.