The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-03-28
Copyright by mcclure, Philips 8 CO.

Copyright by Mcclure. Phillips 8 Co.
1t showed. The switch lamps at Valley
JUNCTION twinkled family through the
wiring flakes. broad band of light
ON the night operators room shot out
ITO the gloom. and 1t, too. was thiclSly
oWdered Aside from this, the scattered
ouses Of the little hamlet slept in dark
ess-an save one. g
Through the drawn curtains of cottage
mich squatted in the right angle formed
the intersecting tracks. hundred
ards or more from the station, light
none duly. Inside. young woman with
book In her lap sat beside sick bed.
m the bed lay young man of perhaps 80.
They were not of the type which pre-
allied in Valley Junction. The rugged
trength Of the man, which shone through
ven the pallor Of sickness, was touched
nd softened by an unmistakable gentle
ess OF birth, and the dark eyes which
-ssted motionless upon the further wall,
'ere thoughtful and liquid with intelli-
ence. The young woman was yet more
triking. Her loose gown. girdled at the
7a1st with tasseled cord, only half con-
called the sturdy, sweeping lines Of the
orm beneath. Her placid womanly face
Ias crowned with a glorious mass of
furnished auburn hair. Her blue eyes,
ow fixed solicitiously upon her husbands
ace, were dark with what seemed an
abitual earnestness Of purpose, and her
weet mouth dropped seriously. After a
loment, though, she shook off her pensive
hood. What are you thinking of, dear?"
ne asked, with frightening face.
OF you," answered her husband grave
', Tightening his grasp upon the hand she
ad slipped into his. Comparing your
fe In this wretched place, Sylvia, with
mat 1t was before I married you, and
nj riroc ~ tho% i
ove,' which can make you content with
he change
The young woman for a little held her.
elf In kind Of breathless tension, her
and upon his further temple, her full,
assionate lips pressed tight against his
heck.
mot content, my hearts husband but
appy,' she whispered, ecstatically. After
moment she lifted herself and quietly
moothed her ruff1ed hair. IT mustn't
that again." she said demurely. 1.-The
octor said you were not to be excited.
>nly this, Ben, papa will forgive US some
ay. He's good. just give him time.
ONE day you'll put away your dear, fool
sh pride, and let me write to him and
Ell! him where we are-no matter If he
i'd forbid it. And he'll write back. take
ny word for it, and say, Come home,
hildren, and be forgiven But whether
e does or not, I tell you, sweetheart, !
would sooner hutter about this little dove
ote Of ours and ride on the engine with
on than be mistress of the finest palace
apa's money can build
The spell was broken by the distant
cream Of locomotive, half drowned In
he bowling wind Sylvia glanced at the
lock.
There's the Overland" she muir
nured. "She's three minutes late. The
Wind Is dead against her. Some day
Lear" she added fondly, you will hold
he throttle Of that engine"
They listened In silence to the dull roar
f the oncoming train. But instead of the
Usual thunderous burst as the train swept
W, and the trembling earth. they heard
he grinding of brakeshoes, the whistle Of
.ir, and then, in the hull which followed
he humping of the pump, like some great
xcited heart. The sick man threw his
wife a startled glance, and she sprang tt
he front window and drew back the cur
ain. She was just turning away again
When there came quick, imperative rar
.t~the door. Sylvia flung the door wide
pen, revealing three men,, the foremost
# whom she recognized as the night oper-
tor at the Junction.
Mrs. Fox" he. began with nervous
.aste, this Is the general Superintendent
Ir. -"
my name is Howard, madam" sale
he official for himself, unceremonously
cushing forward. I'VE are in trouble
)ur engineer had a stroke of apopIexy
fifteen miles back and I want your hus
land to take this train. I know he's sick
nlt-"
but he's too sick, SIR to hold hi
read up!" Sylvia exclaimed aghast.
Whats the trouble, called Fox, sharp
", from his bed.
An instant's hush fell over the little
group at the door, and then they all, as il
moved by one impulse, fled quickly back
to the sick room. -,
''Mr. Fox, I hate to ask a sick man tt
get out of bed and pull a train,' begar
the general superintendent, xhurriedly
but we're tied up here hard and fast
and every minute that train stands there
the company loses a thousand dollars. I
you can pull her through to Stockton
and will, it will be the best two hours
work that you ever did. I will give you
i've hundred dollars
Fox had at first risen to his elbow, Blu
he now sank back, dizzy and trembling
from weakness. II can't do it, Mr.. How
ard! I'm too sick!" he exclaimed, bit
terly. If it weren't physical impossi
bility-if I weren't too dizzy to hold m.
head up" .. z
He broke off abruptly and pressed hi
hand in a dazed way to his brow. Thel
he fixed his excited eyes upon his wife
Inc OCneT men 1OllOW0u Ills SdZ0y pldlIl.
regarding him as out Of his head. Blu
Sylvia turned pale and leaned against tn
wall for support. She had caught he
husbands meaning. .'.... f..
She'll take the train, sir" exclaime
Fox, eagerly, land she'll take it through
safe. She knows an engine as well as
and every" inch of the road. Sylvia, yo
must go. 1t is your duty"
The superintendent gasped and stare
at the young woman. She stood with he
dilated eyes fixed upon her husband, he
chest rising and falling, and blood re
tongues of returning color shootin
through her cheeks. Yet even in that cru
cial moment something in Sylvia's eye
something hard and stubborn-fixed tn
skeptical superintendent attention. Sy]
via, with twitching nostrils and swellin
throat, turned upon him almost des
II will CO." she said, in low voice
'but some one must stay here with him.
This young man will attend to all tina
never fret" cried Howard, gally, turn1n
to the night operator. s..-
The train dashed into Carbonate, ar
Sylvia made out ahead the glowing heat
light of the easbound train, sidetracke
and waiting for the belated overland
Suppose the switch were open! She kne
that 1t must be closed, but the sickenir