The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-02-19

house into the soft darkness of the July
night, gaining some speed as it went; but
johnson was running carefully over the
switches of the yard, and not until clear
track lay before him did he open the throt-
tie wide. Neither of the men spoke, ex-
cept that after time johnson said to keep
a roaring fire going, and IA moment later
added
''You' re game to ask to come tonight,
Bill. I'll not forgit it.
''You volunteered, Billy responded.
THAT different I'm older, an this
may be our last run.
The few lights of the frontier town were
far behind them already. and the engine
sped aloug like a living, nervous thing un-
der stress of the spur, 1t quivered and
throbbed and shook, and as the steam
crowded into the boiler it raced through the
night like mad. The searching headlight
showed the two rails glistening far ahead
where they seemed to come together in Il
sharp point, the only things visible except
the shadowy outlines of the buttes by
which they were running. Horner was
miles back of them, and Ned felt that the
time had come to reveal himself.
He pushed the coal aside with IA clatter,
but the engine was making such roar
that he could not be heard, and the faces
of both men were to the front. He tried
to stand upright, but he had lain 50 long
cramped, and his footing was so insecure,
that he was thrown off his feet, and mar
rowly escaped going to the ground. This
sobered him, and he began to crawl eau
tiously to the cab on his stomach, and as
he reached the front of the tender he
heard his father shout
"Do you pose the construction could
be the other side of Quincy
He had howled in order to be heard,
and Bill got down from his seat on the
other side of the cab and stood by him.
''Sure, he said, confidently.
''What makes you think so?'
Il know
"What?'
Ned wriggled closer to hear, but he did
not make himself known. There was
something in Billy's manner that he did
not understand and under cover of the
darkness he waited Putting oGt his hand
to hold on, it came in contact with bun
die of rope and a coat He pushed them
impatiently away, and clutching the edge
of the tender firmly, listened again.
'Did you hear what Mr.. Lord said
about the money! he heard Billy ask.
eyes.
"It's a big pile Therell be murder
for it. WouIdn't you like some of it 2
"Heavens, no y
Johnson eyes were fixed on the rails,
and he had not turned his head as he spoke.
All his thoughts and energies were con-
centrated on the lookout for the construc-
ton train which he dreaded, not because
to telescope it would be his death, but be-
cause if he were killed, or his engine was
wrecked, there was no way Of saving the
train he was trying to overtake. At the
bottom of long down grade, miles ahead
of them yet, was a siding where the east
ern train stopped during the day to give
the one from the west the right Of way on
the single track, and deep in johnson =
heart was a dumb prayer that the con
struction might have run on that to lay up
for the night. That was the only hope of
salvation if it was this side of Quincy. He
felt touch on his shoulder and nodded
without turning; and Ned, still watching,
but able to hear only an occasional word,
saw the barrel of a pistol cleaning in
Billy's hand.
s;Close the throttle p the fireman COM
manded
johnson looked at the man, wondering
if he had suddenly gone insane, and as he
did so the revolver was against his head.
"Close the throttle r Billy repeated.
The cold touch of the steel was like an
electric shock to johnson, but his hand
was on the lever and the speed of the en-
CINE did not slacken.
'Drop that gun p johnson demanded.
Billy drew it away little, but it was
still levelled at the engineer, and the fire
man spoke rapidly
1--WE won't stop that train. Twas |
who gave it away I'm to have share
in the pile You can, if you stop. If
you don't, I'll drop you =
He was towering over johnson, who,
still sitting, was hemmed in by the back
of his seat and the reverse lever. He had
no gun, nor any chance to knock Billy s
from his hand, but the throttle was wide
open, and he held it fast.
Don't be a fool, Billy You know
I'd die before I'd stop, an don't think
you want to send me out. Why, you We
been like my own kid You ain agoin'
to turn agin your daddy Put up your
gun, boy, an we'll forget this T.
johnson meant that his voice should be
soothing, but in the effort to make him.
self heard it was only loud. He believed
that in the excitement Of the moment
Billy had gone mad, and his one thought
was to quiet him.
Billy was standing with his back to the
boy, and suddenly there was the flash of a
shot. and his father fell inertly. Billy had
shot him.
Ned sprang to his feet, but with quick
thought dropped down again, for Billy
was hauling at the engineer, and letting
him fall to the floor, climbed into the va
cant seat and partially closed the throttle,
He still held the gun, and the sight of it
paralyzed the boy. He felt that until
Billy was disarmed he could do nothing;
but underlying all his rapid thought was
the idea that the engine must 60 throug ii,
and there was only himself to save the
train. He put out his hand cautiously,
with the vague intention of creeping up
unawares to do he knew not what, when
again he touched the rope, and with the
contact came an inspiration. He gave
smothered sob of excitement. and the
tears were running down his cheeks,
though he did not know it, and he uncoiI-
ed the rope and made moose in one end