The Press., 1906-08-29
A Modern Knight
and Maiden
BY ELLA May BUNNELL
copyrighs. 1906. by Ruby Douglas

MARY, are you thereT' sounded
from the hallway as broad shoulder
ed, sturdy young fellow strobe eagerly
toward the kitchen door.
"Of course. Come in," responded a
voice cheerily, and Phil entered, TAX
ing a bit Of the workaday life and
hustle In with him. -.-
"What Is it, Phili" the girl asked
gently, looking into the young mans
troubled eyes.
81 think must be tired tonight" he
answered evasively. He attempted to
smile reassuringly. A firm little hand
stole comfortably into his.
Eyes, but that isn't ALL" she per
sisted. ..-.-...
"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 alarm
ingly small salary" Phil's voice
sounded pathetically discouraged. "Per-
haps should have gone into some Of
fee and stayed there" he concluded
doubtfully.
mo, PHIL" protested the girl, you
wouldn't have been satisfied with add
ing up columns of figures all day or
going over rusty papers. There Is a
place somewhere among the railroad
workers where you are going to do
your best work, Phil dear"
'I just got an order tonight" Phil
responded, "to go and bring down a
| toll oil fnY
Each day wonder what next"
Mary looked up into his face. "Fair-
knight to-be," she chanted gayly, at
may be tomorrow that you'll win your
spurs. Go forth to conquer, for your
lady's sake"
"Bless your heart, Maryv he MUIR
INJURED as he caught and kissed her and
then left the room.
The engine Phil took possession of at
Springdale next morning pulled and
glistened In the sunlight. The young
mans eyes grew keen and piercing,
and his heart beat tumultuously, while
his hand rested firmly on the throttle.
The rails shone like silver ribbons In
the sun, and the train was soon speed
ing 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
filed him with the joy of life.
Phil laughed involuntarily as he look,
ed out of the cab window to see the
children in high glee at game Of tag
One station after another he entered
On time to the minute. Every other
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 q 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 glid.
ed out Of the station, and in a 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 stop, and it was with
regret that he would give up the en-
| CINE. "a beauty" he thought, land
guess I'm on time," he smiled.
He saw visiting railroad official ap
pear at the station door, nodding with
apparent satisfaction as he looked al
his watch. The man peered curiOusly
into the engine cab, but he suddenly
drew back In horror and others were
transfixed by what they saw. Not q
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 a veil Of smoke, but he
felt powerless. The engine was or
fire. Something clutched his throat tt
choke him. He felt a hot breath
against his cheek. Red points darted
out at him from an indefinite ''sOme
where" He heard a quick, gurgling
tempest Of sounds. Was it the wind
he wondered. He thought 1t was, but
he didn't care.
Then something seemed to snap. Per
haps it was the expression on a face
he saw In Imagination that did it. Ht
whispered, "Mary," and sprang witt
all his strength for the opening out OF
the cab. As he leaped from the burn
ing cab, which was an angry, surging
threatening mass, new life came tt
him. He began to understand. His
mind worked rapidly and with precf
sion. AS he turned instantaneously to
ward the coaches back Of the engine
he saw it ADJUST what might happier
at 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. He had gone with hand out
stretched for the throttle. He fell
thankful that It was not necessary FOL
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 uncoupled the
coaches, and when, blinded with smoke
and flames. he felt and pressed tbs
throttle the burning thing sprang away
and of-perhaps to safety for those In
the coaches, 200 souls or more
The next minute seemed hours. Phi
was conscious Of just one purpose-tc
get away from the coaches, for he
knew that the tank Of oil would ex.
plode or burn itself out. He leaned fal
forward, pressing onward, but the en-
CINE seemed to crawl. His breath came
hard through clinched teeth; his eyes
We're 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. Failing,
staggering forward, he felt himself
seized by dozen arms.
Did he dream what followed? A pair