The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-20
This Side Of the Gap
By ELLIOT WALKER

What" The other halted.
Fact! I've got my notice. Your turn
tomorrow"
ITS an internal outrage" cursed Cop
ley angrily. 'In all the years I've worked
they never had complaint. Whatll do?
I'm married and settled here. 1 can't
move II i
"Killan began to swear. "The id
corporation I'd like to see EN- in
trouble N..'
"By Jove, would" Copley stumbled
along despairingly.
/ The moon in sudden brilliance glittered
upon the shining rails, curving into the
ravine beyond. Ahead and seventy feet
below the river brawled against the abut-
ments of the bridge. s.. ,.#T
"Good!" muttered Killian. "We'll get
even, eh?"
Bud did not reply. His brain was whirl-
ingi "Rose-the baby-the happy little
home" He staggered on. 81
The track curved sharply just this side
of the gap There waited their compan-
IONS @1fr
.The crowbar, Mike, Grayle, you help
him." Copley, examining the nearby
rails, did not heed Killian's voice SO full of
| import On his knees, he looked up.
Nothing spread here, boys, that I see."
The others came close with hard faces.
There will be-" spoke Killian grimly.
you're in on this, Bud. No fooling!
Well get even and more pickings than
| would come to us in years of shaving.
No one will suspect you. We chaps will
be miles away by morning: You can take
| your time. Anyway, you're in on it.
But the other was regarding him in
horror. For Gods sake, Tim" he
gasped. you're foolin'!' No? You
A-a-h"-
| Hit him again, Grayle! There, that
settles the fool! I thought he had more
sand. Why did 1 bring him? Thought
he might take hold, and I wanted his
mouth shut, if he didn't. What a yell
| time enough"
He kicked the senseless form, and the
three worthless secreted themselves behind
a bowlder. Killian whispered: wait
ten minutes; then We'll do ~trick-lay
him where he'll get hit, and folks Ill think
other whisper-"He got the woman I
wanted, blast him.
Mr.. Grayle nudged Mr.. Lutz.
About a quarter Of II the men stole out.
A minutes hard work with the crowbar,
and the rail lifted. "Off to this side bit.
boys. That's right. Oh, my G. OH"
Three spits of fame from a brush Of
spruce thirty feet away-"Crack! Crack!
Crack!'' Timothy Killian threw up his
arms, collapsed and rolled over, clutching
the gravel. Grayle clapped hand to his
shoulder, then dashed into the under
growth after his companion.
A woman came cautiously forward,
peered about and fell upon her knees in
the ditch Then she screamed, and again
the revolver echoed among the hills.
! From the station only quarter of mile
away men came running with lanterns
and cries.
Maxey, the section foreman, was in the
+Io III
stood a shouting figure. go back! Go
back! Stop the express! Stop it, say!'
Its Rose Copley, boys!' cried Maxey.
"Somethings wrong. Run; for heavens
sake run! That's her whistle now
The roar of the heavy passenger train
sobered to a rumble, then to a painting
stop not fifty feet from the excited
group. Through the sleepers spread the
ominous rumor. People poured out.
i "a doctor? Yes, two of them! Well,
hurry up!'' There was work for both
who was the girl? Was that her hus-
band? What was the story, anyway?'
Expressions of horror, wrath and adj
mira ton; a fat man busy with a hat: a
short speech mingled with sounds of ham,
mering: "All aboard!'' scramble, and the
great coaches swung slowly on In the
glory Of the summer night, and crossed
the gap.
Copley's first word was for the train. He
fell back. thanking God Then he CROPPED
for the hand that had saved
} HE wants to speak to you, Mr.. Max
ey." sobbed Rose, shedding her first
; tears.
The rough railroad man bent down. his
own eyes streaming. What is 1T, my
boy?"
: you-take-me-back? l never
touched-the tools. Tim said you"
"Take you back. Never thought Of let
ting you co. Why. you're my best man,
Bud. Bad company; that's all. You're
quit of it now"
He turned, shaking a savage fist at the
| limp form on the hard car Better TOT
him. I guess, if Roses bullet had struck
an inch lower"