The commonwealth., 1904-11-26

Wen, they were going to fail. he tol
himself as be opened the throtile
IL was but a short distance TO Turn
ers bridge, and Dicks brain was work
ing Ike mad as they sped along. Grad
uaily he notched the reversing Ieye
forward, closing the throttle a little I,
mold down the speed. In his left han,
he mmbled heavy wrench. Harry wa
On the tender getting coal. Suddenly
and as If by accident. Dick lurched for
ward falling from his seat. As he went
with his right hand he jerked IN,
throttle wide open. and the iron mon,
ster darted forward like a spirite,
steed from its masters whip: with hi.
ielt hand he smashed the water glass.
In an instant the cab was full Of
Steam ard water. Two revolver bul.
lets fiattened themselves against tn,
ooiler On his hands and knees Dick
crawled away from the furnace door
taking his share Of the scalding water
It's an engineers duty to be parboiled
II necessary.
Cropping along the cab floor, at the
doorway his hand fell on a felt boot
Firemen don't wear felt boots. so II
couldn't be Harry. Dick raised his
wrench and struck with all his might
Where he supposed the body would be.
lie fancied he heard the choking eroan
as the resistance gave way and the
foot slipped from the cab.
But with the other outlaw he was
less successful. Scarce had they STUN
oled together when wiry fingers closed
about his throat, and Dick knew it was
llie-and-death struggle. The men
sWayed in each others arms; the hiss
ing steam, the scalding water, the rush
ing swinging locomotive, forgotten in
that last vital contest for mastery Sud
denly, aboya the din came the hollow
roar Of Turner's bridge, and at the
same moment the struggling men
swung outward, slipped, and dashed
downward into the darkness.
An hour later they picked him up,
stiff and pallid, but still alive His
bed OF soft snow had saved him alike
rom death by falling, and from revenge
from the check-mated outlaws, who had
searched for him in vain. What be-
came Of his two passengers he never
earned--but the superintendent was
safe.
Henderson" said the superintend
'nt, week later, Il want to do the
light thing with you. You've been of
,uty since the-event Now we're 60
ng to give you No. on the - line.
It's the best run on the system. High |
'st pay, short and regular hours, and |
lome every night" ......
81 am deeply grateful" said Dick, |
but II can't take it,"
Il know" said the superintendent,
that it's no proper return for your
aarifice, but it's the best have to
ffer just now. As soon as | can do
etter, | will"
Its not that, sir not that But the
act that | have decided to quit engine
irving for good"
Why Henderson"
Its like this. | like the business,
ut my nerves gone. Every danger
gnal would now raise that pallid face
18th the cleaning, sightless eyes. Ugh!
es,' he added with pathetic mourn
illness in his voice, q am broken
IAN"
The superintendent sat for some
linutes in deep thought. Il have
)" he at last cried, with the eagerness
a school-boy; q have it! We are
1ening a division terminal at Bay
ont, hills and forest behind, rolling
'airie away to the south. Take your
ife and family out there, buy an acre
two of land, and build up your home
peace. The company will give you
position as locomotive inspector, with ]
salary of twenty-five hundred. What
you say?" Ii
TITS done" answered Dick, quietly. {
1gineers learn to make quick de-
sions. #E-
AS the two men shook hands the j..
perintendent dwelt on Dicks devo- |
IN to himself and the company.
We'll, it wasn't that that made me 1
IT," i
What them" queried the official. +
On the wall hung a painting Of the q
nous "Birkenhead drill" 81 guess 1t ;.
s because | have some of that blood I
me- said Dick, as he pointed to
, picture.-Canadian Magazine.