The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-02-01
BY LLEWELLYN LORD.

She said this so often that L began to
fear that she meant it, and her father was
one of those hard hearted men who take
pride in the fact that they never change
their minds
''Then I'm going away" said I, des
perately.
"Where p she asked Her incredu-
lous tone maddened me.
"You think it an idle threat, Nell, but
unless you decide by this day week to be-
come my wife, either with Or without your
fathers consent, | will go to the farthest
place in the world-to New Zealand
Her eyes filled with tears. She be-
seeched me to have patience, but | re-
fused.
When the week was up she still was
obdurate, and | made all my arrangements
to 90 to New Zealand. Her father was
glad to see me go, [ believe.
Nell was at the station the day left.
Once more l pleaded with her, but in vain.
She loved ME, but she could not believe
that any happiness would come to our mar
rage unless she obtained her fathers
blessing.
1t happened that the train was late.
We waited at the station with other pas
sengers, including her mother and father.
| think the old man had come down to be
sure Nell did not weaken and 60 away with
me the last minute. But | began to think
that his adorable daughter was as obdurate
as her father.
As we waited on the platform for the
train that was to bear me away from the
girl l loved switch engine pulled up on
one of the farther tracks and my wandering
eyes noticed that the engineer and fireman
left the locomotive alone while they went
into restaurant for their dinners.
ooh, WILL murmured Nell, in my
ear. Il always have wanted to get in an
engine. Do you suppose they would care
if we should look at that one while the
man is away?'
eyes, they would be sure to care, [
said gloomily. Besides, it is against the
rules for passengers to be on the tracks. -
"Couldn't you get permission for us to
look at it % she asked.
"Come on, we Il not ask for permission, y
[ said. 1t occurred to me that the engine
cab would give me an opportunity fer one
final and tender good by.
We went to the locomotive and inspected
its drivers and cylinders, and at last |
helped Nell into the cab
She looked at the quivering monster
with little Explanations of delight and
amazement.
'rm going to make it WHISTLE she
cried, daringly as she climbed upon the
engineers seat. IF they arrest us and
send us to jail, then you can't go away
She seized hold of the lever and gave it
a jerk. Intead of whistling the engine
coughed
She laughed like pleased child
"Why its moving she cried,
So was. | saw the engineer running
from the restaurant door and wildly waving
his arms.
''Oh, l can't stop it, cried Nell, in
dismay. looked at her and saw that she
was pulling and pushing at all the levers
within reach. Presently she struck the
whistling apparatus, and the engine gave
two short, sharp whistles, the starting sig
nal.
We ran off the side track to the main
line and the switch engine was picking up
speed amazingly. Nell was about to leap
out, when | caught her and held her.
cit is too late for that" said, as |
pressed her in my arms. She chung to me
in fright AS | looked back toward the
station | saw her father was shaking his
fist.
"Don't you know how to stop it, Will?'
she sobbed
"No, indeed But don't be frightened.
They will telegraph ahead and clear the
track for US, and it will stop when the
steam dies down.
sIsn't it dreadful = she exclaimed.
"Father and mother will think we are
running away. They will believe [ did it
on purpose.
''Didn't you? p [ asked, innocently.
"You know | didn't" she declared,
withdrawing from my arms
cit looks much like you are running
away with me, | said, eff you are, |
can't help it, can I?'
"You are ridiculous" she laughed
"Any way, you can't start to New Tea
land to-day
"Unless you go with me, said |.
BY this time the engine was going so
rapidly and the racket was so great that
we could not converse. | made Nell sit on
the engineer seat and to be sure that she
did not fall out held my arm about her
waist
There was a crowd of people lined up at
the first station to see us 60 by and now |
had no further fear of collision The
train dispatcher would be sure to clear the
track. saw by the gauge that the steam
was dying out, and after we had passed
the third station the engine ran perceptibly
slower 1t stopped dead still on the out
skirts Of Cherrydale.
| helped Nell from the engine and we
walked to the station house.
The telegraph operator met us at the end
of the platform. He had condescending
grin on his face
cts all right he said, as he thrust
a yellow envelope in Nell's hands.
looked over her shoulder and read the
message.
"Come back home and be married with
our blessing. All is forgiven. ~
Stonewall Jackson's Widow De-
clineS It.