The Placer herald., 1872-01-06
M " ELOPENTENT.


gines that ever jerked a train, and Jim was
my "stoker."
"All right, jack" he answered, as
stepped FROM the cab and started toward the
town.
1t was just dark, of cold, stormy No
vember day, and if ever there was happy
man it was myself, Jack Everett, seated ten
minutes later in the warm dining room, with
plenty OF time and a steaming supper at my
disposal. Bat this happiness was too great
to be lasting. | was but half through my
onslaught on my hosts cuistae, when my
stoker, the best fellow in the world, only a
little wild at times, came rushing into the
room.
"Im blowed if I hain't half mind to
let you finish the job, said he. "I'd give a
half dollar if | could eat like that
And he stepped back and gazed with ad
miration at my display of talent for-eating
when hungry.
"Come, come, what's up?' asked, hold
ing up the half Of biscuit, and preparing
to follow up the process with the other half.
"Good Heavens, Jack how often do you
eat?', he asked; but without giving me time
to reply, he added: "But I've got to stop
you now, for old Maylord is down at the
station swearing like marine because you
got the start Of him aud got away before he
saw you"
Maylord was the Superintendent, and
knew something was wrong, somewhere. |
replied:
"Tel him l will be down after supper"
"That won't do, Jack. You've got to
catch the express, and she has been gone
twenty minutes now. We've got the engine
out of the house and all fired up. She'll be
blowing by the time we get there"
l will not say that uttered any very an
gry words, but something stuck very hard in
my throat-half biscuit, | suppose.
seized a pie and tossed it to jim, who | knew
had not had his supper, and then | went for
my hat and started
! found Maylord pacing to and fro in the
storm and sleet, and growing like hungry
dog.
"Can you catch the express before it
reaches town? ?" he asked, humiedly.
81 can try. But why not telegraph ?" l
asked
"Thats the mischief of it," he snarled.
"The wires are down."
"W ell speak livery ,l.o.v ~ no 80
fool away" said |, not remarkably good
humored at the prospect. Moreover | had
no particular love for j ohm Maylord, Esq.
lie whipped letter from his pocket and
handed it to me.
"Catch the train, Jack, and give this let
ter to conductor Adams. Whatever he gives
you bring back to me without delay"
Now there was something mysterious
about this, but, so far, had no right to
question, so turned to Jim ana asked him
if he had taken in any water
"Nary drop, Jack"
"Never mind the water" cried Maylord,
"you have enough to run down."
"Mr. Maylord, | am running this engine, "
replied, "and can't run it without water.
If you can, just take my place and run her. "
He turned away with something very
much like an oath, and | backed up to the
tank-house.
just as stopped, veiled lady sprang up
lightly into the cab.
"You must let me go with you;" she
whispered, and then stepped back into the
shadow, so that my fireman might not see
her.
was amazed at her sudden appearance
and strange request; but before | could re-
ply, she threw aside her veil, revealing the
beautiful face of Nellie Maylord.
"Why, Miss Mayord, you cannot mean
it?" | exclaimed-yet at the same time !
really hoped that she did, for, to tell the
truth Jack Everett was in love with her.
OF course nobody knew it but myself, and
had hitherto been content with smile or a
word, and which she had often givou me,
notwithstanding her fathers frowns. TO have
her so near me, ank talking with me, lifted
me up to the top shelf of hopeful bliss.
81 must 60, Mr. Everett" said she, 81
know it may seem strange to you, but when
one is in danger, one must do strange things
to escape"
L" In danger?"
eyes and rely on You to save me"
As she said this, she lifted her lustrous
eyes to mine, and gave me look that sur
prised me out of my usual prudence. re-
Piled:
81 will protect you with my life if need
be, for love you better than my own.
| could not see her face then, for she had
turned it away, and frightened at what had
done, hastened to ask her forgiveness.
"Tut, tut" said she, placing her hand nd
over my mouth. eff that is true, you will
surely let me go with you, for a fate far
worse than death awaits me here. Say
yes"
And what else could say?
All this took place while Jim was at the
back of the tender taking water, and when
he came forward to the cab Nellie was de-
murely perched upon my seat. ! gave him
the hint to keep mum, and pulling open the
throttle, away we started on our wild night
ride.
How the old Ariel few over the iron par
allels. Accustomed as ! was to the nope
engine, yet sometimes quaked with sudden ,
terror, and shut off the steam. was 'nl,'N, N
ing of Nellie, then, and life never seemed Sc
| loco.o Than the SDppd SlaCkcncu