The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-09-16

In spite of what he had heard, or per-
haps, because of what he has heard, all
things, even the melancholy town itself,
With his unfailing cheerfulness he
waited hopefully for news of his ap.
pointment at Red Valley, and hovered,
as If fascinated, around engine No. A.
Neither the boys nor old Bryan were
slow to notice this, the latter having ac-
cepted such attentions periodically from
all the young men. 1t was so inevitable
proceeding that up to the time of the
Middleton's dance they paid no attention
to it.
But that night something extraordin.
ary 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 q
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 Youi"
"You'd ruther set all the evenin',.
wouldn't you, now9"
"D'you like the name O. Dave, or do
you reckon you'd rather have Com
stock2"
Rose looked from one to the other as
the bottled-up taunts fell rapidly upon
her ears, her checks aud 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
O tride7 And so soon3 Aud Dave al
yet had said nothing. Emboldened by
her silence they went further.
"What does he say about It'll"
The shamed crimson leaped TO her
very temples and receded, leaving her
face pltifully white. Her wounded
pride now pantel for but one thing-a
way out. Probably he knew it, too.
She saw him coming down the street.
"Do you love hlma Say, Brier Rose,
do you love Davc7" cried the one furth.
est from her whip,
der courage came back at Dawes ap.
proach, and the spell OF her unwonted
silence was broken.
"Do love him7" she cried, looking
him fairly in the face. ~ come nearer'
to hatin' himi"
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 a dead run,
but fast as Rose flew the grieved look
in Dave Constock's blue eyes kept pace
with her. -------
That night Joe fdgeted around, un-
IL L. 4S l. ,l4 4,,lI
speak to Dave about the occurrence of
the afternoon. Dawes genial smile and
CHEEKY hopefulness were gone. He sat
with his face buried in his folded arms.
Joe coughed hoisily aud said nothing.
Dave looked down at his poor MANNED
foot.
"Joe, do you know that little baby I
saved from the wreck had brown eyes
| like Brer Rose2 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 Briar
Rose smile at me that way. If had
saved her perhaps she would. Do you
think so, %oe7"
At home, Rose was thinking Of the
story of Dawes bravery in the wrecked
train, of the lives he had saved, of his
defense Of her.
And to-day in return she had mocIed
him. Aye, If the look he gave her spoke
truly, she had cut him to tho 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 90 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 b,
kept away from the Owl she felt easy
He knew she was watching him. II,
also knew that she would not hesitate tc
come after him if the Owl proved too
strong an attraction. Therefore he KEEP
away.
4ha trnd fearlesaly alnne tho eide o.
the boiler, rubbing the hand rail with
i uiaCh CiOtu. Ouc Tue
engine as If she loved it. Every part o.
1t shone like the sun. Every valv,
worked with precision. Every screw
was secure. Joe laughed to see her fins
a shovelful of coal into the furnace like
born fireman.
His own machine called his attention
from the A.. Then Rose heard him CRY
out, and, springing down, she rushed
into the station.
"a runaway engine coming this wayi''
he said hoarsely. "Spite work of dis
charged engineer. No one on her-goine
twenty five miles an hour-a single track
Dawes train only going fifteen the
A and that ore car on the only siding
between here and Red Valley. Ny
| GodI'
"Where is it9" cried Brier Rose.
at broke away from Horseshoe Gap.
Mesa e is from Prairie City. It's already
passed Prairie City, headed straight for
| here. It's bound to catch Dave before
his train gets to Red Valley"
Rose turned white to her very lips.
| Shu covered her face with her brown