Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1906-08-17
A Modern Knight
and Maiden

Copyright. 1906. by Ruby Douglas

MARY. are you thereY' sounded
from the hallway as a broad shoulder
cd, sturdy young fellow strobe eagerly
toward the Kitchen door.
"Of course. Come in" responded a
voice cheerily, and Inn entered, TAX
Inc q Die Of tho workaday life and
hustle In with him.
"What is Il. phllY'" the girl asked
gently. looking into the young mans
troubled eyes.
Il think I must be tired tonight" he
answered evasiyely. lie attempted TO
smile reassurlngly. A firm little hand
stole comfortably into his.
ayes. but that isn't ALL" she per-
sisted.
"Wcll Mary, I'm wondering when we
are ever going TO get married. I've
been attempting 70 master the railroad
business, but there Is nothing settled
ms to the future. and mine Is an alarm
ingly small salary" Pills voice
pounded pathctically discouraged. "Per-
haps l should have gone into some Of
fee and stayed there" he concluded
doubtfully.
"No. 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"
Il just got an order tonight" Phil
responded, Ito 80 and bring down Il
special from sprlngdalc tomorrow.
Each day | wonder what next"
Mary looked up into his face. Fair
knight-to-be.' she chanted gayly, ut
may be tomorrow that you'll win your
spurs. Go forth to conquer. for your
Iady's sake"
BLESS your heart, AIaryv' he muir
INJURED as he caught and kissed her and
then left the room.
The engine Phil took possession of at
S|pringdale next morning pulled and
Elistened I'm 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 involuntarlly as he look
cd out OF the cab window to see the
children in high glee at a game of tag.
Ono station after another he entered
Oh 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 n glimpse
of n light, girlish figure made Mary
seem especially near for a moment
The girl had Mary's grace and airlnes'
as she sprang On to a car platform
but ever the leeting vision made Phi
smile happily, and again the train glid
ed out Of the station. and in n few
minutes it had slowed M, and Phll's
trip was ended. Another man would
take the train n
Phil almost patted the throttle as the
train came TO d stop. and II was Will
regret that he would give up the en-.
gine. ~ beauty" he thought, 'and
guess I'm on time" he smiled.
lie saw a visiting railroad official ap.
pear ut the station door. nodding with
apparent satisfaction as he looked OF
his watch. The man peered %curiously
into the engine cab, but he suddenly
drew back in horror, and others were
transfxed by what they saw. Not a
man moved or spoke. They seemed
helpless before some awful sight.
Phil read his danger In the Mortified
eountenances by the station. He saw
the panorama spreading out before
him through n veil OF smoke, but he
felt pOwerless. The engine was on
fire. Something clutched his throat Ia
choke him. He felt n hot breath
against his cheek. Red points darted
out mt him from an indefinite "some-
where" He heard a quick, gurglina
tempest OF sounds. Was 1t the wind
he wondered. He thought 1t was. but
he didn't care.
Then something seemed 70 snap. Fer
haps It was the expression on n fac,
he saw In Imagination that did IT,. III
whispered, "Alary." and sprang witt
ali his strength for the opening out Of
the cab. As he leapcd from the burn
ing cab, which vas an angry. surglng
threatening mass, new life came t
him. He began to understand. Hi
mind worked rapidly and with precl
sion. AS he turned simultaneously to
ward the coaches back Of the engin.
he saw II adjust what might happel
at every second. Two thousand gallon
Of oil were in a tank at the rear o
the cab.
lie gathered himself together for tn
plunge, drew In a long, deep breath
held his head down. with his hat press
cd against bis face, and returned 10 III,
cab. He had gone with hand out
stretched for the throttle. He fel
thankful that Il vas not necessary 10
him 10 see; he could feel and knew jus
where to press the throttle most surely
In the moment in which he had dlscoy
cred the oil tank he had %uncoupled tn
coaches. and when, blinded with smok
ana flames. he felt and pressed ID
throttle the burning thing sprang AVA.
and oh-perhaps 70 safety for those &
the coaches. 200 souls or more.