The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-05-31

some manly work or she could not-yes
she could and did love him; but he must
show him worthy her love. Already he
had advanced, and she was we'll pleased
with his progress, and they had become
engaged.
A grimy, dusty man in unlovely gar
ments; but, in her eyes, he was a man
made for better things. As he stood be-
side her one could see in his clear eyes
and sensible face that he had good stuff
in him and was worthy of her love.
1t becomes us not to linger while they
talk quietly together beside the track.
The train moved slower and slower till,
finally, it stopped with the last car just
beyond the switch. The iron horse was
moved on, the station master signalled
with his arms in curious fashion, and
each of the four brakemen repeated the
motion in turn. White puffs of steam
rose high in the air from the farther end
of the train, and the last car backed
down, turned aside, and entered tie
siding. The station master left the switch
and came hastily toward the lovers.
"Good day, Alfred. Light freight to-
day, only one CARLY the way, the break
chain is broken, you had better drop the
car at the Repair Shops. The freight
can be thrown out without leaving the
car"
So saving, the station master went on
into the freight house, followed by the
rafting and rumbling cars. They grad
ually lost their speed and then came to
stop with the end of the train lost in the
dark cavern of the freight house. There
was shout from the building and then
one of the brakemen began to move his
arms as signal to go on. Again the
white puffs of the steam shot up in the
distance and with a jar and culver the
train started again.
Car after car rolled past them. There
were hurried whispers, warm hand
shake and perhaps kiss, and then the
young man swung forward, grasped the
ladder on the last car, climbed quietly to
the top and sat down. She stood gazing
after him as he was drawn away from
her, and smiled and waved farewell to
him with her handkerchief.
Here, Lydia, you must help me-"
1t was her brother who stood beside
her with bunch of keys in his hand.
THE passenger train follows this at
once and l must 60 to the station. Will
you please close the switch after themi"
She took the keys mechanically, and
then turned again to gaze after her
lover seated on the last car of the retreat
ing train. 1t had passed out of the switch
and was crossing the great viaduct and
moving more and more swiftly away.
To close and lock the switch was nei-
Their difficult nor dangerous, and she
quietly walked on toward the end of the
siding till she came to the switch post.
Here she leaned against the wooden
frame for little space, shading her eyes
from the sun and watching the train. 1t
had run around the valley and was turn
ing into the great curve that crept up
ward in long grade over the Hill be-
yond.
1t was now a mile away and she could
no longer distinguish any one on the
cars. She turned slowly away, seized the
iron bar of the switch and easily threw it
over into place SC as to leave the Main
Line open for the next train.
She looked back down the road and
saw that the passenger train had entered
the line from the branch and was just
pulling up at the station to discharge
passengers. 1t may seem surprising that
a passenger train should be allowed to
follow freight train so closely.
Bad engineering as this arrangement
was, it was not so serious as it seemed,
for this passenger train did not follow
the freight except for three miles, when
it reached the end of its trip and was
turned off upon siding.
She turned once more to look after the
retreating freight train. 1t was in full
view climbing the grade on the great
curve.
Suddenly she put up both hands to
shade her eyes, and leaned forward on the
switch frame. What had happened2
Two tiny puffs of steam rose from the en-
CINE. 1t was the signal to stop.
far away came the short, sharp danger
whistle. A single car had broken loose
from the train, and had been left behind.
1t was standing alone on the track.
No. 1t was moving backward. 1t was
beginning to roll down the grade. 1t was
moving faster and faster. There was a
man upon it-her lover.
Involuntarily she spread out her arms
and let them fall to her side three or four
times in succession-the signal to put on
the brakes.
"How foolish! He cannot see me, and"
She leaned against the switch frame and
shook with fear and agony.
The brake was broken.
Swift and swifter rolled the disabled
car. 1t was coming down the track,
gaining speed at every rod.