Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-05

stay right where we are until get another
from Denver.
Visions of the speculative opportunity OF hte,
time slipping from his grasp, of an almost acquired
fortune melting away beneath his outstretched
hand, swept from Gilberts mind all other consider
atoms. He consulted his watch 1t was ten
minutes after eight
How far are we from Denver?" he asked
"A little less than hundred miles
How long will it take to get the relief crew
Three hours, if we are lucky"
Three hours And three hours more before we
make it with the trainl Great Heavens, man, We
got to be in Denver at noon! I've got to- tell you'll
I'd give hundred thousand dollars to be therel'
The conductor looked at him unmoved. He had
proof against hot air. Well" he said unless
you're pretty spry at walking, l don't know how
you're going to do it. There amt any way OF
making an engine run all by itself And elbowing
a path past the circle of listeners, he halfway
through the car when OBTAINING hand was laid
on his sleeve and wstfu1 face raised his about
the level of the second button of his coat.
If YOU can find anybody to do the firing IL
take the train in, said the little girl in the black
gown.
The conductor looked at her with his mouth
wide open "You!" he exclaimed, uncertain that
he had heard Alright. You'll do what"
oh l know it sounds absurd, she retorted;
"but can do it. If you've been long with the road
you must have known John Lorrane?"
"What-the old master mechanic of the Denver
division? Him that afterward superintendent
of motive power? Certainly-God rest his SOUL
what them"
I'm his daughter I've had some experience"
"Sho! You're not little Alma, that used to mon
key about the round house at Denver six or seven
years ago-the kid that run PAP into the turntable
pit one time?"
I'm Alma" she said reddening at the remem-
brance; but | only beginner then. II not
run this engine into anything, and know the road
like book. Come, you'll let me, will you not?
The conductor stroked his grizzled beard in per-
plexity. It's mighty grave responsibility" he
said We've got terribly headstrong horse pulling
this load-you sure you can manage him all right?"
I've done it fifty times-many a time without
my father in the cab at all she replied. Once
took the general super from Denver to Kearney
and back again. l should think if he could trust
me you might.
Here was situation not contemplated in the
manual. The veteran railroader fell back his
reserve stock of horse sense. Well, he said, L
reckon if | don't I'll have the whole road tied up
before we get relief. I'll let you as far as Or
chard, where | can wire for orders anyhow. Where's
that chap that said he'd give million dollars to
pull in by noon Here you, can you shovel coal?
Gilbert had absorbed every word of the colloquy
in the utmost amazement. The girl whose weakness
he had so patronizingly pitied, the Hunger whom
he had imagined scarce able to take of herself
the tinid creature who had been thrown into a
faint by a thunder-storm-she was after all in
emergency the superior of every man on the train
She alone could rescue the precious option He look
ed at her with redoubled and not altogether selfish
interest. Il Miss Lorraine is willing to accept
the services of inexperienced
a fireman, ] shall be proud to
do the shoveling," he replied q
." It's not the cleanest kind of - ~
work. she snilingly warned ~
him, with glance at his imnac-
ulate garb. She had noticed IA
how painstaking1y he kept him &Zzs
self free from the stains of z<
travel, and his extreme solicit ~
tude for his appearance half H32z
amused her. But he retorted eT@@ %*l
that where she dared to lead he Aa$aT. ! Vl