Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-03

the greeting Of the roundhouse foreman
passed out into the yard. thoroughly tired,
hungry and irritable after my 120-mile
run in the cab Of the limited express.
II was one Of those wild nights we some
times. but not often. get during the month
Of November night Of the blacklist dark
ness, filled with driving rain and frozen
sleet. night Of washouts, double roadbeds.
delays and loss Of time. to be followed by
a fve-minute interview with the division
superintendent, a man Of few words and
much less consideration
l had just brought in the limited express
some twenty minutes late. owing to the
icy condition Of the rails. and l knew what
to expect.
l hurried along through the wind and
rain, eager to get to my boarding house,
where a warm supper and dry clothes
awaited me.
I had just reached the house when
heard the sounds OF hurried steps coming
down the street after me. l turned and
glanced caTeiessly over my shoulders and
saw by the pickering light on the opposite
corner that it was Nick, my fireman.
Were in for It this time, l guess" he
exclaimed abruptly as he came up the steps
after me.
why, what's the trouble now?" l asked,
although l had a pretty good idea of what
was coming.
THE old mans down at the yard and
he's cussing like a trooper because you
went of before he got a chance to see
you"
I'VE lost twenty minutes on that grade.
I suppose that is what It means" | an
swered. well, never mind; I'll be right
down as soon as l eat my supper and get
into SON dry clothes. I'm drenched."
mo, it amt that" replied Nick quickly
The deuce Is to pay We've
got to pull out again and catch the 9:45
into Hampton, and she's gone nearly ten
minutes now. I've got q out and fired up.
She'll be blowing by the time we get back.
Come on"
will not state that I did not say any
thing out Of the way. But supper or no
supper, together we hurried back down to
the yard, where l found Henderson pacing
up and down in the storm and growing
like a hungry dog.
"Can you catch that y:45 before she gets
into Hampton he asked, as soon as l
came in sight.
TITS doubtful" l answered shorty.
She's been gone ten minutes already"
"Oh, yes, you can" he insisted persist
emily. There's nothing ahead Of you-you
have got a clear track until midnight"
why don't you telegraph" l asked
wonderingly.
That's the trouble" he snarled. The
wires are all down; I ant"
well, I'll try It. What are the orders?
knew that, II we were to overtake the
e:45, there was no time to be lost in asking
idle questions. Besides. 1 was MT In very
good humor at the sudden change from a
warm supper, dry clothes and shelter to a
wild night ride over an uncertain road in
the storm: and moreover. ! had no very
sincere liking for Jacob Henderson, esq.
ST want you to catch the 9:45 before she
gets into Hampton he repeated insist
emily. ''You can do It. IL you open her up
and let her go. When you overtake her,
give this note to Conductor Davis, and II
he gives you anything to bring back, take
II. no matter what 1t is. I'll walt here for
YOU. How quick can you start?"'
thought that there was something rather
unusual about all this, but 1t was not for
me to question orders.
"In about two minutes" / said promptly;
''Iust as soon as I can take in a little
| water. The tank is almost empty"
| Never mind the water" cried the old
I man. impatiently. II want you to gel
started. You have got enough to run down
3 with. You can take some coming back"
This "Reminiscences on his part nettlet
r me a little and l retorted rather sharply:
4 I'm running this engine, Mr.. Hender
son. II you want me to overtake the 9:45
I 1t will take speed. and speed takes steam
5 and I cannot make steam without water
y II you can. just step up and AXE my place
t and do It,"
S He made no reply. but turned away will
n something that sounded very much like al
n oath, and felt that my hasty reply hsl
d cost me my position, for Henderson was
d man that took no words from any man Of
s the road. big or little.
y With some regret / backed No. q up be
"a side the tank, and just as l stopped unde
the pipe / saw someone step quickly out o
d the shadow OF the tank and approach tn
side OF the engine. Thinking 1t to be som
belated passenger, / gave the matter n
d further thought, but turned my head m
looked back to where Nick was busily en-
Is gagged with the water pipe.
Suddenly l felt a light touch on the arm
3 whirled quickly about and saw standin
ID beside me in the cab the ngure OF a woman
II What do you want?' l asked in sudde
N surprise. Passengers are not allowed o
= the engine. It's strictly against orders
= Madam"
lo IT know it," She glanced nervously abou
IS but you must let me go this time"
She stepped quickly back into the shade
so that my fireman might not see her.
IS To say that I was startled by her SUE
3 den appearance and strange request woul
10 be expressing It mildly, but before l coul
10 reply she lifted the edge of her veil an
there, in the dim, uncertain light Of ii
10 gasoline torch, l saw the bright eyes an
pretty face OF Grace Henderson.
re why. Miss Henderson," / managed
D gasp, you surely cannot mean It,"
J. Yet. to tell the truth, l sincerely hope
y she did, for, deep down in my heart l hs
a secret admiration for the girl with h
In sweet face and gentle manners. Hitherto
rs had always been content with the smile
n CHEEKY word she often gave me when 81
came to the depot with her father. No
The prospect OF having her so near me an
talking with me seemed to lift me to II
very top shelf Of earthly bliss.
n 81 must really go. Mr.. Haskell" she wei
on quickly. II knoT that It must see
strange and unusual TO you. but when or
a is in danger strange things sometime
ne must be done TO escape, you know"
re she smiled bewitchingly up into my fa'