Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1871-08-22

out delay"
Now there was something quite
mysterious about this, but so far, l had
no right to question, so turned to
Jim and asked him if he had taken
water.
"Nary drop, Jack"
"Never mind the water" cried May
lord. HYou have enough to run
down."
"Mr. Maylord, I am running this
engine" 1 replied, "and I can't run it
without water. If you can, just take
my place."
He turned away with something
very much like an oath, and / backed
up to the tank house.
Just as stopped, a yelled lady
sprang lightly into the cab.
"You must let me go with you," she
whispered, and then stepped further
into the shadow, so that my fireman
might not see her.
/ was amazed at her sudden appear
ance and strange request; but before
l could reply, she threw aside her veil,
revealing the beautiful face of Nellie
Maylord.
"Why, Miss Maylord; you cannot
mean itW | exclaimed-yet at the
same time I hoped that she did-for,
to tell the truth, Jack Everett was in
love with her. OF course nobody
knew but herself, and / had hitherto
been content with smile or a word
which she often gave me, notwithstand-
ing her fathers frowns. To have her
so near me, and talking with me, lift
cd me up to the top shelf of hopeful
bliss.
"I must 60, Mr.. Everett" she said.
II know it may seem strange to you,
but when one is in danger, one must
do strange things to escape"
"In dangerP"
eyes. And 1 rely on you to save
me-"
AS she said this, she lifted her lus-
trous eyes to mine, and gave me look
that surprised me out of my usual pru-
dence. L replied:
II will protect you with my life, if
need be, for 1 love you better than my
own"
/ could not see her face then, for
she had turned it away, and frightened
at what l had done, l fastened to ask
her forgiveness.
"Tut, tut ~ she said, placing her
hand over my mouth. "If that is
true you will surely let me 60 with
you, for fate worse than death awaits
me here. Say yes"
And what else could I say9
All this took place while Jim was
at the back of the tender taking in
water, and when he came forward to
the cab, Nellie was demurely perched
upon my seat. l gave him hint to
keep mum, and pulling open the throt-
tie, away we started on our wild night
ride.
How the Ariel flew over the iron
parallels. Accustomed as l was to
the noble engine, I yet sometimes
quaked with sudden terror and shut off
the steam. l was thinking of Nellie
then, and life never seemed SO sweet
before. Then, as the speed slackened,
1 would give my noble steed the rein
again, and true to the touch, she would
leap ahead like thing of life-past
houses, villages and towns, seen ahead
for second, and then far behind us.
All the while stood by Nellie, one
hand upon the throttle and the other
upon the reversing lever, peering ahead
upon the track Illuminated by the
Ariel's headlight.
/ dared not look at Nellie, for all
our lives depended upon my vigilance.
L knew not what moment might over
take the train, so / stood with her so
near me. Sometimes | would speak
to her, and she would put her lips to
my ear and reply. Again, her little
hand would clasp my arm as l sped
over some rough piece Of road that
threatened to shake the iron monster
to pieces, but word would reassure
her. -.s
AT length, in turning curve, I saw
the red light on the rear of the ex-
press, and so suddenly that had / not
been on my guard, there would have
been one less passenger coach on the
road; and who can tell where Jack
Everett would have beens But was
and there was no danger.
My whistle was recognized, for there