Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1906-08-09
A MODERN KNIGHT AND MAIDEN.

MARY, are you there sounded
from the hallway as a broad.shoul.
dered, sturdy young fellow strode
eagerly toward the kitchen door.
"Ot course. Come in" responded
a voice cheerily, and Phil entered
taking bit of the workaday lif. and
hustle in with him.
"What is it, Phil?" the girl asked
gently, looking into the young mans
troubled eyes.
81 think | must be tired tonight,
he answered evasively. He attempt.
ed to smile reassuringly. A firm lit.
tie hand stole comfortably into his.
eyes, but that isn't all" she per.
aisted.
"Well, Mary, I'm wondering when
we are ever going to get married.
I've been attempting to master the
railroad business, but there is nothing
settled as to the future, and mine is
an alarmingly small salary" Phil's
voice sounded pathetically discour.
aged. Perhaps I should have gone
into some Office and stayed there,
he concluded doubtfully.
"No, Phil, protested the girl,
"you wouldn't have been satisfied
with adding up columns of figures all
day or going over dusty papers.
There is place somewhere among
the railroad workers where you are
going to do your best work, Phil
dear"
II just got an order tonight" Phil
responded, Ito go and bring down a
special from Springdale tomorrow.
Each day 1 wonder what next"
Mary looked up into his face.
"Fair-knight-to-be," she chanted gay
ly, ut may be tomorrow that you'll
win your spurs. Go forth to conquer,
for your lady's sake"
"Bless your heart, Mary" be
murmured as he caught and kissed
her and then left the room.
The engine Phil took possession of
at Springdale next morning pufed
and glistened in the sunlight. The
young mans eyes grew keen and
piercing, and his heart beat tumul.
tuously, while his hand rested firmly
on the throttle. The rails shone like
silver ribbons in the sun, and the
train was soon speeding over the
track. Gradually Phil's spirits rose.
The beauty of the day-for the dew
was still on the fields and the world
about seemed alive and happy-and
the pounding of the engine filled him
with the JOY of life.
Phil laughed involuntarily as he
looked out of the cab window to see
the children in high glee at a game of
tag. One station after another he
entered on time to the minute. Ev-
cry other thought than his immediate
work was far from him, although Ma
ry was always in his subconscious-
nees. At the last station before his
home a glimpse of light, girlish hg-
ure made Mary seem especially near
for moment. The girl had Mary 8
grace and airiness as she sprang on to
car platform. but even the heeting
vision made Phil smile happily, and
again the train glided out Of the sta
ton, and in few minutes it had
slowed up, and Phil's trip was ended.
Another man would take the train
on.
Phil almost patted the throttle as
the train came to stop, and 1t was
with regret that he would give up
the engine. "a beauty" he thought,
"and guess I'm on time" he smiled.
He saw a visiting railroad official
appear at the station door, Ipodding
with apparent satisfaction as he look
ed at his watch. The man peered
curiously into tie engine cab. but he
suddenly drew back in horror, and
others were trans6xed by what they
saw. Not q man moved or spoke.