Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-01-30

breath of fiery dragon, rolled across
his cheek, a lurid brightness blazed
around him, and he started into con-
sciousness that the infammable, pine
resined walls of the little station were
on fire, and that Matty Minton was close
10 him, shaking his shoulder and crying,
"Mr. Roderickl Mr.. Rodericki" in his
ear.
Fortunately the simple fire-extinguish-
ing apparatus in the corner was in good
working order and the row of water
pals were full. Roderick Keller him
self had seen to that, as he saw to it every
night.
No great harm was done beyond few
charred boards and a general smoke
blaokening. The night train was sig
nailed as usual, the brief kilograms sent
either way, before Roderick found time
to say, in deep, tremulous accents:
''Matty, you have saved my life!"
''Thanks to your mother-yes cried
the girl, standing pale and trembling be-
side him.
But Pm sorry to turn the place over
to you in such condition as this" said
he, with a sickly smile For I sup
pose you'll be transferred here to-mor-
row-to-day, rather"
''But l WON'T" exclaimed Matty
I'm never take your place, Roderick,"
but the uperintendent-"
"a don't care if be was forty superin-
tendents!" illogically cried Miss NIinton
''He can't make me come here, And I
won't"
"It is bad policy to offend Mr.. Hen
field, Matty!'' he reasoned. "Stop and
reflect. am man. 1 can shift for
myself anywhere.
Matty glanced shyly up at him through
her long eyelashes.
"There's only one man Pm afraid of
offending," said she. "And-and that
is you, Roderick Keller"
"Matty! Afraid of me?"
"You have burned your hand" she
said, with sudden little cry ooh.
look? And you told me you were I'M
hurt!'
"Never mind my hand, Matty. An
swer me tbs question-are you afraid
of me?"
"Not-just-afraid" she whispered
DuG-OL1, 1COuCIiCh, uOu / IOOh al LlS
so steadilyr'
"Matty, is it possible? Oh, Matty,
my darling, do you love me?" he ex-
claimed
Even then she turned her face away
from him, with a girls true instinct of
coquettishness.
"The poor burned hand!" she NUT
tered, laying her cheek softly against it
"Let me wrap my handkerchief around
it. Yes, Roderick, [ do love you. Oh,
SO much, dear, dearest Roderick!'
No one ever knew how the Hornet
Mountain Station caught fire. 1t was
supposed to be from the explosion Of d
lamp, and Mr.. Kelfers presence of mind
and promptness were especially praised
by the company.
The superintendent himself came ~
and surveyed the premises.
81 like a man to have his wits aOoA.
him in an emergency" said he. =.
think, Jaycox, we won't disturb the eI-
isting arrangements. Miss Minton cau
have the new position on Gable Cliff,
and"
~ don't think" said Jaycox, "that
she'll accept any poSluon, SIT 0hes
going to be married"
"Oh!" said Mr.. Henfeld, rubbing his
nose. "That's the worst Of employing
girls in this business. The moment they
become of real use they get married.
Well, let her suit herself. Did you tell
me that old Keller was dead?"
Eyes, sir" said Jaycox. "Quite sud
den. Walking on the track. Close by
Benbows Crook. Flung off by the cow
catcher. Picked up quite dead. Had
package Of matches clutched tight in his
hand. Likely he thought he was going
to MS playhouse as usual, poor old
SOUL"
'sHumph!" said the superintendent.
"Small loss, I suspect!''
And the popular opinion of Hornet
Mountain was with him in this verdict.
-SGturday Night.