Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1906-06-22

on time to the minute. hyeiy o,..~5
thought than his immediate work was
far from him, although Mary was al
ways in his subconsciousness At the
last station before his home glimpse
Of light. girlish figure made Mary
seem especially near for moment.
The girl had Mary's grace and airiness
as she sprang ON to a car platform,
but even the feeting vision made Phil
smile happily, and again the train GID
ed out Of the station, and In few
minutes 1t 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 a stop, and 1t was with
regret that he would give up the en-
glne. "a beauty" he thought "and
guess Tn on time" he smiled.
He saw visiting railroad official ap-
pear at the station door, noddlng with
apparent satisfaction as he looked at
his watch. The man peered curlously
into the engine cab, but he suddenly
drew back In horror, and others were
transfixed by what they saw. Not a
man moved or spoke. They seemed
helpless before some awful sight
Phil read his danger In the Mortified
countenances by the station. He saw
the panorama spreading out before
him through veil Of smoke, but he
felt powerIess. The engine was ON
fire. Something clutched his throat to
choke him. He felt hot breath
against his cheek. Red points darted
out at him from an indefinite "some-
where" He heard q quick, gurgllng
tempest of sounds. Was 1t the windf
he wondered. He thought 1t was, but
he didn't care.
Then something seemed to snap. Per-
haps 1t was the expression on face
he saw In imagination that did 1t. He
whispered, MARY" and sprang with
all his strength for the opening out of
the cab. As he leaped from the burn
ing cab which was an angry, surglng,
threatening mass. new life came to
him. He began to understand. His
mind worked rapidly and with preci-
sion. As he turned lnstantaneously to-
ward the coaches back Of the engine
he saw 1t adjust what might happen
Ut every second. Two thousand gallons
Of oil were in a tank at the rear of
the cab.
He gathered himself together for the
plunge drew in long. deep breath.
held his head down, with his hat press
ed against his face, and returned to the
cab. Ho had gone with hand out
stretched for the throttle. He felt
thankful that 1t was not necessary for
him to see; he could feel and knew Just
where to press the throttle most surely.
In the moment In which he had discov-
cred the oil tank he had unooupled the
coaches, and when. blinded with smoke
and flames, he felt and pressed the
throttle the burning thing sprang away
and off-perhaps to safety for those In
the coaches, 200 souls or more
The next minute seemed hours. Phil
was conscious Of Just one purpose-to
get away from the coaches, for he
knew that the tank Of oil would ex-
plode or burn itself out. He leaned far
forward. pressing onward, but the en-
CINE seemed to crawl His breath came
hard through cllnched teeth; his eyes
were set on a spot ahead, but he whis-
pered, "Maryp
Suddenly the engine shuddered and
stopped Pills hand was still on the
throttle. He scarcely knew that he had
stopped the engine. He felt a great,
exultant Joy, for the coaches were far
behind. With great difficulty he flung
himself toward the open air. Falling,
staggering forward, he felt himself
seized by a dozen arms.
Did he dream what followed? A pair
Of strong young arms were around bis
neck. and his face was being bathed In
something cool and wet. He felt the
tense silence and wanted to break IL