The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1893-02-17

clang ana jar ana the Mss OF
steam. 1t was the pay train.
Employees came pouring out of the
shops aud freight sheds, and track
men hurried up to the car, all eager
for their monthly wages.
Jack Simms, the engineer, stepped
down from his cab, oil-can in hand
and began to oil his engine. He
glanced casually up the track, but i'm
mediately took a second look at the
slim, graceful figure of the young lady
who was coming toward him.
annie Roberts," he exclaimed in
pleased surprise. Il wonder why she's
here? / hope she doesn't want to 90
back with us for"
He did not utter the reason, but
after casting an uneasy look at the
car, as if the danger might be there,
he went on with his oiling.
He did not forget Annie, however,
and when she came across the street.
smiling at the thought of the surprise
she would give the engineer, he looked
up quietly and said:
"Good morning, Miss Roberts"
"Now, that is too bad!" exclaimed
Annie, with a look of smiling vexatio on.
Il was going to surprise you. and
you meet me as if you knew all the
time that | was coming"
$50 | did," replied Jack. putting a
few drops of oil on the eccentrics. Il
saw you when first got out of the
cab. When did you come up?" y
"On the morning train; and want
to 60 back with you. I've been hurry
ing so to get ready. How soon do You
start?' Jack looked at his watch.
"We can't leave here until the II 20
express comes in, Annie. She is due
in fifteen minutes. But hadn't YOU
better wait for the accommodation? !?
We are running wild you know. and
you won't gain over half an hours
time"
"Oh, I can't wait two whole hours!"
said Annie, Pm going back on this
train-that is if cam
A look of annoyance passed over
Jacks face, but he replied pleasantly
enough:
Il don't suppose there will be any
objections; yet | do wish you would
stop over for the accommodation.
Fearful that he had said too much,
Jack now went around to the other
side of his engine, without waiting for
a reply from Annie. She was about
to walk away, when jeff Collins, the
conductor, came out of the car.
Annie smiled to herself.
Jack needn't be so Jealous" she
thought. I'm not tied to him vet.
And | never shall be, if he can't trust
me-"
But for all that, when Collins asked
her if she was going down with them,
she waited for Jack to speak. But
Jack did not speak, and she replied:
Il want to, Mr.. Collins. l suppose
shan't be in the way?"
don't mention it, Miss Roberts, :"
said Collins. Let me help you into
the carp"
And Jack Simms on the other side
of NO. 46" heard all. His face shad-
owed slightly, but it was with pain
rather than anger.
Il wish she hadn't, he said to him.
self. collins was right enough | sup
pose, and, perhaps, | ought to thank
him, but l wish Annie had waited.
He finished his oiling and went back
to the cab.
"Ten minutes, Billy" he said to the
fireman, as he handed the oil can up to
him. "I'll just step back to the coach
for Il minute and | guess you'd better
open your door, steam's pretty near
up. now"
jeff Collins was chatting gayly with
Annie, but when Jack entered he
looked up and said sharply:
'All ready, Simms. Go ahead"
Jack looked at his watch, to make
cure that he was right.
did you say go ahead?" he asked
in great surprise.
That's just what I did say. Go
aheadm
There were several of the officials of
the road in the car, and Jack looked
toward them for instructions, well
knowing the hazard of starting out on
another trains time. They took no
notice of his look, however.
"Of course, you know that we're
running 'wiid?" he said to Collins,
loud enough for all to hear
II know my business" replied the
conductor, sharply. Go ahead, say!"
Once more Jack looked back to the
other end of the car, but more partic-
ularly to Mr.. Howard, the superin-
tendent of the road. That gentleman
said nothing, and again Jack turned
to the conductor.
"Mr. Collins, are you sure you do
know your business?"
go ahead" roared Collins, white
with rage; land give her all the steam
you've got. If you're too much of
damned coward to-
Stop that!' said Jack, his face pale
with fierce anger. IF you say 90
ahead I'll 60, if it tear my engine to
splinters, but this is the last time I'll
ever run an engine that your train is
coupled to-"
Jack now turned to Annie. "You
can't 60 on this train" said he.
"Come!"
And before Annie had time to exer-
else a will of her own she bent to his
stronger one, and left the car with
him.
"Good-bye, Annie, if never see YOU
again." said Jack, as he hurried away
to his cab.
"Im afraid there's death for some of