Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-05-05

And Barnes Tracy edged away and
leaned back TO where the shadow hid
his face, aud John Mallers. turning
from the pleading of the current. stared
gloomily out OF the window across the
yard. shimmering under the double
relay OF arc lights, and young Gid
dings. who couldn't stand it-iust
couldn't stand Intending on his stool.
shook with gulping sobs.
The others knew nothing OF the heart
breaking in the little clicks But they
all knew the track-knew where the
trains would meet; knew they could not
by any possibility see each other till
they whirled together on the curve OF
the Cinnamon cut or on the trestle west
of il. and they waited only for the
breaking OF the suspense that settled
heavily over them.
Ten. twenty. thirty. forty minutes
went with Martin Duffy at intervals
yainiy calling. Then. as the crack
opens on the field Of ice. as the SHOW
breaks in the mountain slide. as the sea
gives up at last its dead. the sounder
spoke-Rat River made the dispatch
er's call And Martin Duffy. staring
at the copper coil pushed himself up In
his chair like man that chokes. caught
smother.rg at his neck. and slipned
wriggling TO the floor
Carhart caught him up. but Duev's
eyes stared meaningless past him Rat
River was calling him, but Martin DIFF
~ was past the taking Like the man
next at the gun. Barnes Tracy spranr
into the chair with the I. I. D. The
surgeon, Giddings helping. dragged
Duly TO the lounge IN Galatians room
his CHEZ was more TO Giddlngs then
than the fate OF Special 326. But soon
confused voices began to ring from
where men were crowdlng around the
dispatchers' table They echoed in TO
where the doctors worked over the raw
ing chief. And young Giddings. help
Ing. began. too. 10 hear strange things
from the other room.
THE NOON
"The mOonY'
'The noon"
"What?-
Barnes Tracy was trying TO make
himself heard:
"The moon, Moonl That's English.
amt itf Moon"
who's talking NJ Rat Riverf" de-
mandcd Benedict MORGAN hoarselv
Chick Nealc. conductor OF third
eighty. Their train Is back at Rat
River God bless that man." stammer-
ed Barnes Tracy. wiping his forehead
feverishly. Hes an old operator. He
says Bob Duffy is missing Tell Mar.
tin. quick. tdere .sn'S any wreck
Quckr'
What does Neale say" cried Dou-
bleday. with sn explosion.
Tracy thought ne bad told them. but
he hadn't lie says his engineer. Abe
Monsoon. was scared by the moon ris.
ing just as they cleared Kennel Butte"
explained Tracy unsteadHy. He took
II for the headlight OF Special COG ana
jumped from his engine. The fireman
backed the train 20 Rat River. SeeYp
While Tracy talked. Malicrs nj tho
key was getting Il all Look here"
he exclaimed. did you ever hear Of
such a mixup in your lifef The head
brakeman Of the freight was I'm the
cab. Neale says. He and the engineer
were talking about the last conclave
irain. wondering whore they were GO
ing 10 meet is. whom the brakeman
spied the moon coming up around Ken
mel Butte curve. There's the SO spe-
cial" he yelled and lighted out the
gangway- Monsoon reversed and jump
Ell OF after him So quick he knocked
the fireman over al the coal When
the fireman got up-he hadn't heard n
word Of IL all-he couldn't see anything
ahead bat the moon. So he stops the
train ami backs up FOR the two guys.
When Nealc and he picked them up
they ran right back 10 Rat River for
ord They never got 20 Rock Point
at ai.-why. they never got two miles
east OF tat River"
And whereas Special 1902" cried
Doubleday.
AT Rock Point, YOU loco. She must
be there and waiting yet for third
eighty The stopping OF the freight