Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1907-02-08
THE RUNAWAY ENGINE
Ey LLEWELLYN LORD

father was one of those hard-headed
men who take pride in the fact that
they never change their minds.
Then I'm going away" said I, des
perately.
"Where?" she asked. Her incredu
lous tone maddened me.
You think it an idle threat. Nell
but unless you decide by this day
week to become 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
refused.
When the week was UP she still was
obdurate, and l made all my arrange
ments to go to New Zealand. He1
father was glad to see me go, l be
lieve.
Nell was at the station the day
LETT. Once more I pleaded with her
but in vain. She loved me, but she
could not believe that any happiness
would come to our marriage unless
she obtained her fathers blessing.
1t happened that the train was late
We waited at the station with other
passengers, including her mother and
father. l think the old man had come
down to be sure Nell did not weaken
eni go away with me the last minute
But I began to think that his adorable
daughter was as obdurate as her IA
ther
AS we waited on the platform fo1
the train that was to bear me away
from the girl I loved a switch engine
pulled up on one of the farther tracks
and my wandering eyes noticed that
the engineer and fireman left the 10
connective alone while they went into
the 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
I 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'll not ask for permits
sion,'' l said. 1t occurred to me that
the engine cab would give me an op
pOrtunity for one final and tender
good-by.
spected its drivers and cylinders. and
at last l helped Nell into the cab.
She looked at the quivering mon
ster with little EXPLANATIONS of delight
and amazement.
I'm going to make it whistle" she
cried, daringly as she climbed upon
the engineers seat. eff 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. Instead of whistling
the engine coughed.
She laughed like a pleased child
why, it's moving" she cried.
So it was. I saw the engineer run
ming from the restaurant door and
wildly waving his arms.
ooh, l can't stop it." cried Nell, in
dlsmay 1 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 signal.
We ran off the sidetrack to the main
line and the switch engine was pick
ing up speed amazingly. Nell was
about to leap out, when I caught her
and held her.
ct is too late for that 1 said, as /
pressed her in my arms. She chung
to me in fright. AS 1 looked back to-
ward the station 1 saw her father was
shaking his fist.
Don't you know how to stop it,
WIFI" she sobbed.
NO, indeed. But don't be fright
ened. They will telegraph ahead and
clear the track for us, and it will stop
when the steam dies down
isn't it dreadful" she exclaimed.
Father and mother will think we
are running away. They will believe
did it on purpose
Didn't you?" I asked, innocently.
you know I didn't" she declared,
Withdrawing from my arms.
1T looks much like you are running
away with me-" 1 said. IF you are,
can't help it, can -"
You are ridiculous" she laughed.
ANY way, you can't start to New Zea-
laid to-day"
unless you go with me-" said I.
BY this time the engine was going
Sc rapidly and the racket was so
great that we could not converse. l
made Nell sit on the engineers seat
and to be sure that she did not fall
out 1 held my arm about her waist.
There was a crowd of people lined
up at the first station to see us go by
and now I had no further fear Of col
Iision The train dispatcher would
be sure to clear the track. I 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
outskirts of Cherrydale.
l 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 a
condescending grin on his face.
'Tt's all right" he said, as he thrust
yellow envelope in Nell's hands.
l looked over her shoulder and read
the message.
Come back home and be married
with our blessing. All is forgiven