The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-04-04

zoo mile branch road which had been
built mainly by the elder Stetson It
opened large section of country to
the world and now boosted two trains
each way every day.
Miss Caswell was to leave on the
morning train. but on her arrival at
the station her departure seemed
strongly problematicai. The train
stood before the platform, but the en-
CINE had not yet been coupled on and
the general topic of discussion was the
report that both the engineer of the
passenger train and the man who ran
the yard engine had been hurt the
hisnt before while some minor repairs
We're being made in the house.
1t was with a decided sense of relief
tnat Lefty presently beheld the engine
Slowly backing down to the train. and
with gasp she realized that the figure
In blue on the engineers seat was
Stetson.
He slipped out of the cab when the
coupling had been made and with
raised cap approached the girl.
l had expected to have the pleasure
OF running down to the junction with
you; ne SAID, as he came up. but I
shaH have to run the train down as
Iar as Harding. If 1 can get a man
down there when We change engines 1
shall come back then. At any rate you
VIII wait for me at the junction, won't
your"
Letty's glance gave assent and with
another bow he was gone A moment
later the train pulled out, only ten
minutes late.
AS Lefty settled herself for the five
nour run she thought, half regretfully,
or the chat Of the previous afternoon.
II Jimmie could run an engine he must
nave known something of hard work.
fernaps she had been unjust. At any
rate she had been hasty. There was
nothing awkward about his handling OF
the train. He evidently knew his work
her confidence was not shared by
her neighbor, a fussy woman who ouer-
ulously besieged the conductor with
questions as to whether there was any
danger with an amateur engineer in
charge of the train.
Danger" retorted the brass but
toned one. why. Mr.. Stetson almost
built the road. He made the prelimin-
airy survey, he had charge of the con-
struction and was on a locomotive for
three years. There isn't anything
about railroading he doesn't know.
Thats why he runs this road since his
rather died and gets his business all
cleared up before noon. Why when
we had the blizzard back In go he
bucked his way through the drifts
wren even Pete Howell didn't dare
stay on the engine, and Pete began as
boy. Don't you be afraid"
He passed on and left his uuestioner
comforted but Lefty was quietly cry
ing into her handkerchief She knew
now that she loved Jimmie and would
have married him anyhow had he
urged her the day before.
When they had passed Harding two
hours later Jimmie came into the car.
Lefty gasped. His hands were as clean
and soft as though he had just come
from his desk. His linen was spotless
I and his clothes immaculate.
Want to change your mind now"
he asked. half laughingly. half serious
ly A pressure of her hand was the
only answer, but Jimmie was happy.
i can't blow my own horn" he
laughed. as the new engineer whistled
for crossing, but can blow my own
whistle"
I'm so glad it happened" whispered
Lefty.
so are all three engineers" he
| laughed. 1.-The other two got q day
| off"
| Then they are not hurt" she asked.
| You did this on purpose?"
You didn't think l was quitting
when dried up yesterday, did you p"
he asked, systematically
| Copyright. 1905, by T. C. McClure)