The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-01-23
THE RUNAWAY ENGINE
BY LLEWELLYN LORD

Il never, never will marry you un.
less papa consents"
She said this so often that | began
TO fear that she meant II, and her
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 !, des'
perately.
"Where?' she asked. Her lncredu.
lous tone maddened me.
You think II an idle threat. Nell,
but unless you decide by this day
week 10 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 | made all my arrange.
ments to go TO New Zealand. Her
father was glad to see me go. ! be-
lieve.
Nell was at the station the day !
left. Once more 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.
II happened that the train was late.
We waited at the station with other
passengers. including her mother aud
father think the old man had come
down to be sure Nell did not weaken
en- go away with me the last minute.
But / began 10 think that his adorable
daughter was as obdurate as her ia.
Their
As we waited on the platform for
the train that was TO bear me away
from the girl loved 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.
"oh. WILL" murmured Nell. In my
ear. Il always have wanted to get In
IN engine. DO you suppose they would
care II we should look az that one
while the man Is away"
Yes. they would be sure 20 care"
said gloomlly. Besides. Il 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. wen not ask for pcrmis.
sion" | said. II occurred 20 me that
the engine cab would give me an OF.
portunity for one FINAL and tender
good.by.
We went 10 the locomotive and In.
spccted its drivers and cylinders. and
AZ last helped Nell into the cab.
She looked at the quiyoring mon.
ster with little ordinations OF delight
and amazcment
I'm going TO make n whistle" she
cried. daringly as she climbed upon
the engineers seat IL they arrest
as aud send Us 10 jail. then you can't
go away"
She seized hold Of the lever and
gave Il a jerk. Instead 81 whlstling
the engine coughed
She laughed like a pleased child.
why. It's moving" she cried.
so Il was. I saw the engineer run.
aiug from the restaurant door and
wildly waving his arms
oh. I can't stop II" cried Nell. IN
dismay. looked at her and saw that
she was pulling and pushing AZ an
the levers within reach. Presently she
struck the whistling apparatus. and
the engine gave two short. sharT
whistles. the starting signal.
We ran on the sldcirack 20 the main
line and the switch cnginc was pick.
Ing up speed amazingly. Noll was
about 20 leap out. when / caught her
and held her.
1t Is too late Tor that" ! said. as
pressed her IN my arms She clung
to me In fright As looked back 90.
ward the station I saw her father vas
shaking his FIST.
Don't you know how TO stop Il.
WIN" she sobbcd.
mo. indeed. hut don't be ffirht-
cned. They will telegraph ahead aud
clear the track for Us. and u will stop
when the steam dies down"
Isn't Il dreadful" she exclaimed
Father and mother will think We
are running away. They will believe
{ did II on purpose"
Didn't you" asked. lnnoconily.
you know | didn't" she declared.
Withdrawing from my arms.
IL looks much Ike you are running
away with me- said. "lf you are.
{ cant help u. can ~"
you are ridiculous" she laughed.
ANY way. you cant start to New Zca
land today"
Unless you so with me" said I.
By this time the engine was going
30 rapidly and the racket was 10
great that We could not converse. !
made Nell sit on the engineers scat
and TO be sure that she did not fall
out I held my arm about her waist
There was n crowd % people lined
up at the irst station 10 see us go by
and now had no further fear Of a col.
iislon. The train dispatcher would
be sure 10 clear the track. saw by
the gauge that the steam was DYING
out. and after We had passed the third