Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1906-07-30
A Modern Knight
and Maiden
BY ELLA MAY BUNNELL
Copyright. 1900, by Ruby Douglas

Mary. are you there" sounded
rom the hallway as a broad shoulder
ed, sturdy young fellow strobe eagerly
toward the kitchen door.
"Of course. Come In" responded a
voice cheerly, and Phil entered. TAX
Ing bit of the woI Iday life and
hustle Ia with him
What is 1t, PhIt" the girl asked
gently. looking tuto the youug mans
troubled eyes.
Il think ! must he tired tonight" he
answered evasively He attempted to
smile reassuringly. 4 brIn little hand
stole comforta bly, into his.
yes. but that Isn't ALL" she per
sisted.
swell. Mary. TN wondering when we
are ever going 10 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" Pills voice
sounded pathetically discouraged. Per
haps | should have gone into some Of
hce 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 go and bring down a
special from Springdale tomorrow.
Each day I wonder what next"
Mary looked up into his face. Fair
knight-ro-be" she chanted gaylv. lit
may be tomorrow that you'll win your
spurs. Go forth to conquer. for your
iady's sake"
BLESS your heart. Mary" he muir
INJURED as he caught and kissed her and
then left the room
The engine Phil took possession of mt
Springdale next morning puffed and
glistened In the sunlight The young
mans eyes grew keen and piercing,
and his heart beat unanimously, while
Ills 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 Pills
spirits rose. The beauty of the day
Tor the dew was still on the fields and
the world about seemed alive and
happy-and the pounding of the engine
nlled him with the Joy of life.
Phil laughed lnvoluntarily as he look.
I'd 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
tar from him. although Mary was al
ways In his acknowledgements At the
last station before his home a glimpse
OF a light, girlish figure made Mary
seem especially near for a moment.
The girl had Mary's grace and airiness
as she sprang on to car platform.
but even the feeting vision made Phil
smile happily. and again the train glid-
Ell out OF the station. and In few
minutes 1t had slowed up, and Pills
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 at
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
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
MIN through veil OF smoke, but he
felt powerless. The engine was on
IRE. 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 quick, gurglng
tempest OF sounds. Was II the wind;
ne wondered, He thought il was. but
he didn't care.
Then something seemed TO snap. Per.
haps II was the expression on Il face
ne saw IN Imagination that did il. He
whispered, Mary" and spran- with
ali his strength for the opening ont of
the cab, As he leapei from the burn.
ing cab. which WAS an angry, surginy.
threatening mass. new life came TO
MN. lie began to understand. His
mind worked rapidly and with preci-
sion. As he turned instantaneously to.
ward the coaches back OF the engine
he saw 1t adjust what might happen
at every second. Two thousand gallons
OF oil were in 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. Tie bad gone with hand out.
stretched fnr the throttle. He felt
thankful that IL was not necessary for
him TO see: he coald feel and knew lust