The newspaper., 1907-04-26

his fireman Tell him l want the en-
gine instantly. Move. seh!"
Virginia retreated to her stateroom.
In a few minutes she heard her uncle
70 out; and shortly afterwards the
Rosemary's engine shook itself free
of the car and rumbled away west
ward. At that. Virginia went back
to the others and found book. But
II waiting inactive were difficult. read
Ing was blankly impossible.
Goodness" she exclaimed. How
hot you people keep It in here!
Cousin Billy. won't you take a turn
with me on the station platform? I
can't breathe!"
Calvert acQuiesced eagerly. scenting
possibilities. But when they we're out
under the frosty stars he had the
good sense to walk her up and down
In the healing silence and darkness
for five full minutes before he ven
tured to say what was in his mind.
When he spoke It was earnestly and
to the purpose. not without eloquence.
He loved her; had always loved her.
he thought. Could she not, with time
and the will to try. learn to love him?
not as q cousin?
She turned quickly and put both
hands on his shoulders.
"Oh Cousin Billy-don't!" she fal-
tered brokenly: and he. seeing at once
that he had played the housebreaker
where he would fain have been the
welcome guest. took his punishment
manfully. drawing her arm in his and
walking her yet other turns up and
down the long platform until his pa
tence and the silence had wrought
their perfect work.
Does II hurt much?" she asked.
softly. after a long time.
You would have TO change places
with me to know Just how much 1t
hurts" he answered. And yet you
haven't left me quite desolate, Vir-
ginia. I still have something left
all I've ever had. / fancy"
And that is"
MY love for you. you know. II
isn't at all contingent upon your yes
or no: or upon possession-it never
has been. I think. II has never asked
much except the right to be-
She was silent for a moment Then
she said: Cousin Billy l do believe
tlldt you are the UfSi Iliu lHhl tNti
lived. And I am ashamed-ashamed!"
What for,"
'If | have spoiled you. ever SO lit.
tie. for some truer. worthier woman"
You haven't: you mustn't take that
view of 1t. am decently in love
with my work-a work that not . few
wise men have agre d could best be
done alone. I don't think there will
be any other woman. You see. there
is only one Virginia. Shall We go
in now"
She nodded, but when they reached
the Rosemary the returning engine
WAS rattling upon the open siding.
Virginia drew back.
Il don't want to meet Uncle Somer.
VILE Just now she confessed. Cant
We climb up to the observation plat
form at the other end OF the carr"
He said yes, and made the afirma.
tive good by lifting her in his arms
over the high railing. Once safely on
the car. she bade him leave her.
slip In ..ietly and they won't no
tice." she said. I'll come presently"
Calvert obeyed. and Virginia stood
alone in the darkness. Down in the
Utah construction camp lights were
darting to and fro: and before long
she heard the hoarse puffs OF the big
octopod, betokening activities.
She was shivering a little in the
chill wind sliding down from the
snow-peaks, yet she would not so in
until she had made sure. In little
time her patience was rewarded. The
huge engine came storming up the
grade on the new line. pushing It's
three fat-cars, which were black with
clinging men. On the car nearest
the locomotive. where the dazzling
beam Of the headlight pricked him
out for her. stood Winton, braced
against the lurchings Of the train over
the uneven track.
God speed you. my love!" she mur.
INJURED, softly; and when the gloom of
the upper canyon cleft had engulfed
man and men and storming engine
she turned to go In.
She was cropping for the doorknob
In the darkness made thicker by the
glare OF the passing headlight when
q voice. disembodied for the moment.
said: wait n minute, Miss Carteret
I'd like to have n word with you"
She drew back quickly.
"Is 1t you, Mr.. Jastrow? Let me