Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1892-09-09


waited hopefully for news Of his APP
pointment at Red Valley, and lowered,
AS if fascinated, around engine No. Al.
Neither the boys nor old Bryan we're
slow to notice this, the latter having sc
ceptod such attentions periodically from
all the young men. 1t was so inevitable
a proceeding that up to the time OF the
Middeton's dance they paid no attention
to it.
But that night something cxtraordin-
AIRY occurred.
The next day, as Brier Rose rode down
the street on her hardy little pony, the
boys gathered around her eagerly, not
withstandIng the fact that she had a
stout little whip in her hand. They had
something new aud strange to tease her
about.
"Brier Rose" called out jim, as she
drew rein, "you don't care nothin about
dancin', do your
"You'd ruther set all the evenin,
wouldn't you, nowi"
"D'you like the name o Dave, or do
you reckon you'd rather have Com
storkt"
Rose looked from one to the other as
the bottled. up taunts fell rapidly upon
her cars, her cheeks and lips growing
scarlet. For once her ready tongue
failed her. Small need to ask them
VIVA; they meant. Too well she knew.
But vas her su5jugation apparent in such
"A tri,ci Aud so Soonl Aud Dave rs
yet had said nothing. Embroidered by
her silence they went further.
"What does lac say about iti"
The shamed crimson leaped 70 her
very temples aud reoeded, leaving her
face pltifuIIy white. Her wounded
pride now pante | for but ono thiug-a
way out. Probably he knew it, too.
She SAW him coming down the street.
ado YOU love hlml Say, Brier Rose,
do you love Davtf" cried the one furth.
est from her whip.
Her courage came back at Dawes APP
proach, and the spell OF her uuwonted
silence was broken.
"Do love himl' she cried, looking
him fairly in the face. ~ come nearer
to hatin' him.
She turned her horse sharply, and the
blows the boys had expected fell on her
fiery little pony. He craned his necl;
and went up the street on dead run
hut fast as Rose flew the grievel look
in Dave Comstock's blue eyes kept pace
with her
That night Joe figeted around, un
able to decide whether or not he should
speak to Dave alb out the occurrence o.
the afternoon. Dawes genial smile anC
CHEEKY hope(ulness were gone. lie sat
with his face buried in his folded arms.
Joe coughed roisly and said nothing
Dave looked down at his poor manned
foot.
"Joc, do you know that little baby
saved from the wreck had brown eye
like Brer Rose2 remember the bah,
smiled when held it out to tho men
You know my foot was caught and
couldn't move. I've never seen Bria
Rose smile at me that way. II | haC
saved her perhaps she would. Do you
think so, Joe2'
At home, Rose was thinking of thu
story of Dawes bravery in tho wrecked
train, of the lives he had saved, OF hi
defense OF her.
And to-day in return she had Knocked
him. Aye, If the look he gave her spok,
truly, she had cut him to the heart
Tears-tears in the eyes of Brier Rose
The position of telegraph operator a
Red Valley was given to Dave Comstock
The afternoon freight, heavily loaded
had just pulled clumsily out OF til,
Weeping Willow station, with Dave OF
the rear platform of the way car.
The A, having come down on tn,
rear of the freight as second engine, now
stood on the siding, waiting to 20 bach
to Horseshoe for the midnight express
Old Bryan was up in a crowd of mel
in front of the postotfice. Brier Ros'
watched him auxiously. As long as h
kept away from the Owl she felt easy
He knew she was watching him. II
also knew that she would not hesitate t
come after him if the Owl proved to-
strong an attraction. Therefore he KEEP
away.
She trod fearlessly along the side o
the boiler, rubbing the hand rail with
black oil sodden cloth. She touched tn,
engine as if she loved it. Every part O
it shone like the sun. Every valv
worked with precision. Every screS
was secure. Joe laughed to see her fin
a shovelGul of coal into the furnace lik
born fireman.
His own machine called his attention
from the A. Then Rose heard him CT
out, and, springing down, she rushe,
into the station.
"a runaway engine coming this way |
he said hoarsely. "Spite work OF dis
charged engineer. No one on her-goin
twenty-five miles an hour-a single trac
Dawes train only going fifteen til
A and that ore car Oh the only sidin!
between here and Red Valley. NJ
Godn
"Where is it2" cried Brier Rose.
alt broke away from Horseshoe Gap
Message is from Prairie City. It's alread
passed Prairie City, headed straight TO
here. It's bound to catch Dave befor
his train gets to Red Valley"
Rose turned white to her very lips
Shc covered her face with her BROW
hands. Only for moment, though
Then she flung back her head aud looket
Joe full in the face.
~ can save himl" che cried. Sh
sprang for her engine and climbed into
the cab.
"Rosel Rose" roared Zoe in dismay
Rose turned her white face toward
him implorirgly. 'Be at the switch
Joe, aud listen for my signals, as vol