The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-07-14

moF euutuluc tuEiticu with o&HCttout
pleasure the hearts OF those by whom
the day was to be devoted solely to en-
JOY ment AT the appointed hour the
magnificent Arctic" stood at the depot.
painting as though with eagerness to
be of with the gay party which was
throngIng into the cars
The young engineer sat at the
window OF his cab. watching tho happy
and light hearted throng. but his own
face wore look Of painful anxiety very
unusual to him. Yet who among the
merry boys and girls. and stately men
and women would think of the smutty
engnccrp Walter continued watching.
He received from the crowd occasional
mods of recognition which showed that
he was not unknown. but Walter was
sad and anxious that morning. and
when the heart Is sad the merely form
al courtesies OF life have only chilling
effect. At last he saw coming In the
distance the proud figure OF the super
intendent accompanied by his wife
following them Walter could see
another-the ono he had all this time
been watching for-LIllian Webster.
leaning on the arm OF Arthur Gale. the
young clerk in the railroad Office.
Walters heart beat fast This, then.
he thought lis the reason of that
dreadful note! She spurus the love of
the poor engine driver. and prefers
the company of the white-handed clerk.
OF course she does" he added. with a
bitter smile. as he held up his own
calloused and grimy hand-the hand
that would hold in a few minutes the
lives and destinies of all that merry
throng.
Arthur Gale helped the ladies into
the Car, while Mr.. Webster stood for a
moment conversing with n gentleman,
and then, in short time. he also
boarded the train; the signal was Civ
en-; the bell rang; Walter Harndon
pulled the throttle. and tho Arctic"
moved. A shout rose from the crowd
inside the cars and three cheers were
given by those who remained behind
The Southern Branch" was opened.
and the first train was running on the
road.
Walter Harndon kept firm hold OF
the engine throttle His clear eye
scanned the track which lay ahead.
and the Arctic" gradually increased
her speed. startling the focks and
herds by her shrill and unfamiliar
screams On. ON. they went whirling
around curves, darting through hedges.
and speeding over plains; but no less
swiftly did the unhappy thoughts chHse
each other through the brain of the en-
gineer Did the beautiful Lillian know
thai Walter was driving the enginep
II she did she would not care. What
was he to herp What could no be.
poor and unknown as he WASP Moth
ing. OF course. She had said rs much.
And yet she held him as friend. All!
that was the most cutting OF all. She
was only friend. while Inc loved her.
oh. so dearly. He could worship her.
toll for her, live for her. yes. and die
for her. Friend! Oh, that could never
be. mol he must never sec her-ncver
think of her. He must crush out the
burning flame that had been kindled
In his bosom. He must sweep from
his mind the beloved image that was
so deeply printed there. He must live.
and toll and die. but not for her. He
must be brave and cool and faithful.
but not for her sake. Aud she had
love to give. but It could never DO his;
IL must be given to another.
AS the youthful engineer continued
his reilcxions, tho tears came into his
eyes and made fantastic images which
seemed to block the pathway of the
Arctic" and with desperate motion
he brushed them away and gave hi s
engine more steam for tho long stretch
OF road that extended before him. A
straight road for two miles. and then
the dreaded trestle. lie should look
out for his mother MS he passed. and
he knew she would signal to him. He
knew she would be sure to think OF
him. Why? Because she loved him.
Proud of those blackened. hardened
handsp Yes; proud OF him just as he
was. and because ne was SO and she
loved him for his own sake. and moi
for what he could do or what he might
possible become. On. on went the
Arctic" and soon the trcstle was in
sight And Walters home was In
sight and his mother was In sight.