Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-19

one side of which was red, whlle the
other two sides were colorless. This enabled
him to use it for signaling, the red hght indr
eating danger and the other safety.
His companions were Tom Cheever, the
agent. and Ned Thatcher, the son OF Engineer
Robert Thatcher. Ned had just gone to work
in the shops, with the promise that he would
soon be placed on the road as fireman. Lake
such young men, he was deeply interested In
everything that related to railroads, and per
haps was the most enthusiastic Of the three.
A number watched the twinkling lantern
as it finally disappeared around the curve be
low the town, the figures Of the little party
being invisible in the gloom. The night was
quite dark, and the engineer took good care
that the red side of his lamp was turned
down the road, where it would be sure to
catch the eye of the driver of "99."
Jim kept at the head and every now and
then he stopped short and suspended the
conversation, while every was strained.
81 tell you, boys" said he, in low voice,
as if he was afraid some one might overhear
him, there is something mighty queer about
this business"
"Why so?" asked Cheever, who was quite
sure what the answer would be.
Because it amt exactly straight-thats
why; you can make up your mind that were
going to hear some bad news"
Now, see here" said Tom Cheever. ITS
all gq9esswork on our part, and it can't be
long before we know the truth. Let's each
of us give his theory to what it all means,
and, inasmuch as the night is rather cool,
and we've got pretty long walk before us,
- we'll begin by taking something to warm us
up bit"
The three came to a pause, and the station
agent drew a flask of liquor from an inner
pocket of his coat. He first handed it to Jim,
the engineer. He hesitated moment, and
then, taking it, removed the cork. While in
The very act of raising it to his lips, he
checked himself, and passed it back to Chez
YER
Il liked to have forgot myself" he said,
in a whisper.
"How's that"
'In my younger days used to be hard
drinker, and the superintendent gave me
warning couple OF years ago, but | never
would have stopped except for little Maggie.
You know she died about that time, and Just
before she went" added Jim in a broken
voice, Il gave her my solemn promise that l
you'd never touch a drop of liquor, and III
die before | break that promise"
No one could fail to be touched by the
simple story of the old engineer, and Chez
yer said:
Under the circumstances, l can't urge you
to drink. A man who cannot control his ap-
petite should never indulge. How is it with
you, Nedy
II never tasted it in my life, and don't
think III beg? begin :. If my mother % smeIled liquor
if father smelled it think he would break
my neck; SO between the two you'll have to
excuse me. Tom"
"Well, here's good luck to you," said the
agent, placing the flask to his lips and tax,
ing several swallows. 'T believe in every
one doing as he pleases in this glorious coun
try That's been my motto"
Showing the flask back into his pocket. the
three listened minute and then resumed
their walk toward Hadley
"Ned, let us hear your explanation of the
missing engine. Where is it? and what's the
reason it hasn't reached Bayington? or why
hasn't the eng ineer sent some word?"
Maybe he has since we left" replied Ned
Thatcher
"But our theories are on the supposition
that nothing has been heard from him."
"Ihe most likely thing that's happened. as
it seems to me-" said Ned, 'is that 99 was
SO wrenched from her run that she's broke
down and is waiting for help"
whoever has charge ought TO have made
known his distress long ago." suggested Tom
Cheever.
$50 it would seem; but it may be some
thing has happened to him and to his FIRE
man."
"The only way both could be disabled
would be through an accident" said Jim, the
engineer "You see, there's a good deal of
danger running backwards at night"
"What is your opinion?" asked Ned of the
station agent.
"Well, a dozen theories have occurred to
me- Do you want them alp"
"No; give us the one you last fixed upon"
"There are several things which l ought TO
know in order to make an intelligent theory.
In the first place, / haven't heard where the
runaway was captured, nor where they could
get an engineer to take IL back 10 Bayington.