Arizona republican., 1892-09-04

nedr6 concernln Brler Rose; don't keer to talk of what she ain't got-and just now she's specially bewitched about him. After keepin straight for forty years he's taken to drink. The girl knows he'll lose his job if the company gets wind of it and she watches him like a hawk"
 "What's Bryan's run.
 Horseshoe to Powder Crik. She knows every inch of the track and siding. And l wisht you could see her handle the critter. She knows el Bryan does, and she's heap site quicker calc'latin than the old man. It's wuth while to see her oil and clean the machine. She goes over it spry as kitten"
 "She's handsome" said Dave simply.
 ''Humph! Handsome is as handsome does" observed Joe grumpily. "She is cold as ice and hard as rock. It's my belief that she ain't got no heart same as other wimmin. And sassy? Lorr'
 In spite of what he had heard, or per haps because of what he has heard, all things, even the melancholy town itself, grew rose colored to Daves sunny eyes. With his unfailing cheerfulness he waited hopefully for news of his ap- pointment at Red Valley, and lowered, as if fascinated, around engine A.
 Neither the boys nor old Bryan were slow to notice this, the latter having &C., cepted such attentions periodically from all the young men. It was so inevitable proceeding that up to the time of the Middleton's dance they paid no attention to it.
 But that night something extraordi- nary occurred.
 The next day, as Brier Rose rode down the street on her hardy little pony, the boys gathered around her eagerly, notwithstanding the fact that she had 8 stout little whip in her hand. They had something new and strange to tease her about.
 "Brier Rose." called out Jim as she drew rein, "you don't care nothin about dancin, do youT'
 You'd ruther set all the evenin, wouldn't you, nowy"
 "Dyou like the name O Dave, or do you reckon you'd rather have Com stock"
 Rose looked from one to the other as the bottled up taunts fell rapidly upon her ears, her cheeks and lips growing scarlet. For once her ready tongue failed her. Small need to ask them what they meant. Too we'll she knew. But was her subjugation apparent in such trife? And so soon? And Dave as yet had said nothing Emboldened by her silence, they went further.
 "What does he say about itT'
 The shamed crimson leaped to her very temples and receded, leaving her face pitifully white. Her wounded pride now panted for but one thing--a way out. Probably he knew it too. She saw him coming down the street.
 Do you love him? Say, Brier Rose, do you love Dave?" cried the one farthest from her whip.
 Her courage came back at Dave's ap- proach, and the spell of her unwonted silence was broken.
 Do I love him?" she cried, looking him fairly in the face. ''l come nearer to hating himW
 She turned her horse sharply. and the blows the boys had expected fell on her fiery little pony. He craned his neck and went up the street on dead run, but fast as Rose flew the grieved look in Dave Comstock's blue eyes kept pace with her.
 That night Joe fidgeted around, un- able to decide whether or not he should speak to Dave about the occurrence of the afternoon. Dave's genial smile and cheery hopefulness were gone. He sat with his face buried in his folded arms.
 Joe coughed noisily and said nothing. Dave looked down at his poor maimed foot.
 "Joe, do you know that little baby saved from the wreck had brown eyes like Brier Rose? l remember the baby smiled when held it out to the men. You know my foot was caught and couldn't move. I've never seen Brier Rose smile at me that way. If I had saved her perhaps she would. Do you think so, Joel"
 At home Rose was thinking of the story of Dave's bravery in the wrecked train, of the lives he had saved, of his defense of her.
 And today ill return she had mocked him. Aye, if the look he gave her spoke truly she had cut him to the heart Tears-tears in. the eyes of Brier Rose!
 The position of telegraph operator at Red Valley was given to Dave Comstock. The afternoon freight, heavily loaded had just pulled clumsily out of the Weeping Willow station with Dave on the rear platform of the way car.
 The A having come down on the rear of the freight as second engine now stood on the siding waiting to go back to Horseshoe for the midnight express.
 Old Bryan was up in crowd of men in front of the postoffice. Brier Rose watched him anxiously. As long as he kept away from the Owl she felt easy. He knew she was watching him. He also knew that she would not hesitate to come after him if the Owl proved too strong an attraction. Therefore he kept away.
 She trod fearlessly along the side of the boiler, rubbing the handrail with a black, oil sodden cloth. She touched the engine as if she loved it. Every part of it shone like the sun. Every valve worked with precision. Every screw was secure. Joe laughed to see her fling a shovelful of coal into the furnace | like born fireman.
 His own machine called his attention from the Al. Then Rose heard him cry l out. and springing down she rushed into