The suburban citizen., 1901-09-21


with those OF baggage mas
Ter and ticket agent, was at his table
receiving "A message when Dan Oak
ley walked into the office. He had
just stepped from the Chicago express.
Whats the latest word from An
tioch, Joe?' he asked hurredly
The message was that a strong
north wind was blowing, and that the
town was pretty certain TO burn unless
the engines and hose reached there to-
night, but they have been saying that
for two days and the winds always
changed at the right moment and
driven the fire back
Dan glanced along the track, and
saw the relief train, consisting of an
engine. tender and two fiat cars, load
ed with hose and fire engines, on one
of the sidings
Look here!" he cried. You must
get a fireman for me. and I'll take out
the train myself
He wondered why he had not
ahOught of this before.
Il guess I'll manage to reach An
tioch.' he added. Here, throw in
some COAL he ordered. opening the
furnace door.
Dan Oakley knew he might ride
into Antioch on his engine none the
worse for the uip, except for few
burns, but there was the possibility Of
n more tragic ending Still whatever
the result, he would have done his fHll
part.
Now. where's that fireman? Any
man who knows enough to shovel coal
will do, he said
But no one will want to take such
long chances. Mr.. Oakley. Baker said
II was Just plain suicide"
"Confound II" and Dan sworc like
brakeman out of temper in the bad,
thOughtless manner Of his youth.
AT the same moment a heavy, slOuch-
ing figure emerged from the shadow
at the opposite end Of the freight car,
and came hesltatngly toward the two
men. Then a voice said. in scnte ad-
mOnitlon:
Don't swear so, Dannie 1t ain't
light. I'll go with you"
At was his father.
Dan turned to his father and said
earnestly: do you know what it
means if you are arrested Have you
thought Of that"
Roger Oakley waived the query aside
as though it concerned him not at all
Il want to be with you he said
wistfully. You may not get through
alive, and | want TO be with you
You'll need me. There's no one you
can trust as you can me. for | won't
fail you, no matter what the danger
is. And there's the girl Dannic. Have
you thought Of her."
Dan set MS lips. Ny God | can't
think Of anything else"
There was q moments silence.
Dan made a last appeal to his father
Wont you listen TO what | sayT"
sinking his voice to hoarSp whisper.
They'll hang you--do you hear; If
ever they lay hands on you they win
show you no mercy"
Roger Oakley merely smiled as he
answered, with gentle compOsure; II
don't think we need 10 worry about
that We are in His hands. Dannie,
and he raised his face to the heavens.
Dan groaned
Come, them he said. aloud. Father
and son stepped to the engine. The
old convict mounted heavily to his
post and Dan sprang after him. his
hand cropping for the throttle lever.
There was the hiss of steam and Joe
cried from the darkness; "All right.
come aheadW And the engine with
its tender and two cars, began its haz-
ardous journey. Dan kept his eyes
fastened on the rails, which showed
plainly in the jerky glare Of the head.
light. 1t was well to be careful while
care was possible By-and.by he
would have to throw aside all caution
and trust to chance. Now he In.
creased his speed, and the insstcnt
thud Of the wheels drowned every
other sound, even the far.off roar OF
the flames. At his back, at intervals.
ruddy glow shot upward into the
night, when Roger Oakley threw open
the furnace door to pass in coal Save
for this it was still quite dark in the
cab, where Dan sat with his hand on
the throttle lever and watched the vel.
low streak that ran along the rails IN
advance OF the engine. Suddenly the
wall of light ahead frightened yislbly,
and It's glare filed the cab. They were
nearing the fire.
Dan Jammed the little window at
his elbow open and put out his head.
A hot blast roared past him, and the
heat Of the fire was in his face. He
drew the window shut. 1t was light
as day In the cab now. All In
second and they were in the burning
woods rushing beneath trees that
were blazing to their very SUBMITS.