Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-02-16
S AcRIFIC ED.

Aleck Carson, the engineer. stepped
down from the cab. oil can In hand.
and went forward to oil his engine.
He glanced casually up the street, but
immediately took second look at the
trim. graceful figure of young lady
who was coming toward him.
Carrie Davisr' he exclaimed In
pleased surprise. 81 wonder why she
Is here nlone2 hope she does not
want to go back with us, for
Carrie came tripping across the
street. her face all smiles at tho
thought of the surprise she would give
that great. brave, cool headed engineer.
Alcck Carson looked up in the quietcst
way and said:
Good morning. Carrie"
Now. that 10 too bad!" exclaimed
Carrie, with look OF smiling vexatlon.
II was going TO surprise you. md You
meet me rs II you knew all the time
that was coming"
IL saw you when first got out OF
the cab. When did you come up?"
ION the morning train. and want
TO 80 back with you. have been hur.
rying SO as to get ready. How soon do
you startT'
Aleck pulled out his watch.
I'VE cannot leave. here until the
freight comes In, Carrie. She Is due In
twenty minutes. But hadn't you better
walt for the expressf We ARE running
wild. you know. and you will not gain
over two hours time"
"Oh. | can't wait two whole hours"
said Carrie. II am going back on this
train-thnt Is. II cnn."
a look OF annoyance passed over
Alexis face. but he replied pleasantly
enough:
81 don't suppose there will be any
objections. yet | do wish you would
stop over for the express"
Fenring that bo had said too much.
Alcck now went round to the other
side OF his engine without waiting for
reply from Carrie. She was about 10
follow him when Tom Emmons. the
conductor. came out OF The cur.
Zen minutes. johnny" Alcck said.
to the fireman rs he handed tho oil
can up TO him. I'm stop hack INTO The
conch and | guess you had better open
your door. Steam Is pretty well M
now
Emmons was chatting gayly with
Carrie. but when Alcck entered he
said rather brusquely:
"All right, Carson. Go ahead"
Alcek looked Mt his watch to make
suro that he was right.
DO you mean go aheadi' he asked
In some surprise.
Eyes. go ahead" said Emmons quite
sharply.
There were several OF the head mon
OF the road in the car. aud Alcck look.
cd townrd them for instructions. well
knowing the hazard OF starting out on
another trains time. They took no
notice Of his look. however
"Of course you know that we are
running wildf" no snld to Emmons
loud enough for all to hear.
I'll know my business" replied En-.
mons. Go ahead, | say"
"Emmons. are you sure yon know
your buslnessy
go ahead" screamed Emmons.
white with rage. And give her all tho
steam you've got. lf You are too much
OF a coward
"Stopl' said Aleci, his face pale. but
determined. "lr you shy go ahead. l
Will 20 II strip my engine TO strings.
But II. is the Inst time you ever run
The train that ] AM coupled to-"
A!eck now turned TO Carrie.
"Yon must not 30 on this train" said
he. Come"
And before Carrie had time to cxer-
else n Will OF her own she bent TO hls
stronger ono and went out OF the cal
with him.
'Goodhy. Carrie. II never see you
again." said Aleck as he hurried away
TO his engine.
He sprang into tho cab and, giving
the bell cord one pull. he opened tho
throttle. and the engine started.
Johnny" said he. CHANGING back TO
whore Carrie stood watching the train
M II moved out Of sight, the freight Is
dne In four minutes, and VIC shall meet
1t. But Emmons ordered us out. aud
we must co.
On sped the noble engine. but Alcck
was not using half bis steam.
Help me keep n lookout. Johnny"
he said to his fireman. III we are Gnu
tious, II may amount to nothing moro
than run back to the station. II we
can pass the curve, we can see miles
God have mercyw
This exclamation was caused by the
sight OF the approaching freight train.
There was short. sharp whistle
from each engine. an instantaneous
closing OF two throttles Then follow
ed grinding crash and a shock which
made the very ground tremble. Then
for one brief moment an awful still