Morris tribune., 1908-02-15
S CRITIC ED.

AlOCA CdISOAs luS CuSAuCCL, SICppCu
down from~the cab. oil can in hand
aud went forward to oil his engine.
He glanced casually up the street. but
Immediately took second look at the
trim. graceful figure of a young lady
who was coming toward him.
Carrie Davisv' he exclaimed in
pleased surprise. II wonder why she
is here alone? / hope she does not
want TO go back with us. for''-
carrie came tripping across the
f>,s-~t her face all smiles at the
134,, ut of the surprise she would give
4! .eat. brave. cool headed engineer.
Air * carson looked up in the quietest
va. and said:
- j.n.ii morning. Carrie"
-. that is too badv' exclaimed
Ca.'i- 18th ii look of smiling vexation
q: s.,.s:; going to surprise you. and you
n. me as if you knew all the time
1}slt WIS coming"
Il saw you when I first got out of
Toe cab. When did you come upw
On the morning train. and I want
to go back with you. have been hur-
rying so as to get ready. How soon do
you start?"
Aleck pulled out his watch.
eve ..>.~ot leave here until the
freight {, -" "a"-ie. She is due in
II fnr the e.-.,:e's.: We are running
. lou know, and you will not gain
cser Two hours time"
'Oh, can't wait two "-rnlr hr.rs :"
said Carrie. Il am going Lack Ola tl.S
train-that is. If cam"
A look Of annoyance passed over
Alexis face. but he replied pleasantly
enough:
Il don't suppose there will be any
objections. yet l do wish you would
stop over for the express"
fearing that he had said too much,
Aleck now went round to the other
side Of his engine without waiting for
a reply from Carrie. She was about to
follow him when Tom Emmons, the
conductor, came out Of the car.
'Ten minutes, Johnny" Aleck said
to the fireman as he handed the oil
can up to him. ''I'll step back into the
coach, and guess you had better open
your door. Steam is pretty we'll up
nov "n.:
Z isnons was chatting gayly with
Carrie. but when Aleck entered he
said rather brusquely: ;".'.
'All right, Carson. Go ahead"
A|eck looked at his watch to make
sure that he was right.
''no you mean go ahead?" he asked
in some surprise.
Eyes. go ahead, p. said Emmons quite
sharply.
There were several of the head men
Of the road in the car, and Aleck look |
ed toward them for instructions. we'll
knowing the hazard of starting out on
another trains time. They took no
notice IF his look. however.
'Cf course you know that we are |
run!;n: wild?' he said to Emmons
loud enough for all to hear.
II know my business" replied EN-
mons. Go ahead, sayv'
your businessY
"Go ahead!' screamed Emmons.
white with rage. And give her all the |
steam you've got II you are too much
OF coward
"Stop" said Aleck, his face pale, but
determined. IF you say go ahead,
will 90 If strip my engine to strings.
But it is the last time you ever run
the train that am coupled to-"
Aleck now turned to Carrie.
"You must not go on this train," said
he. Gomez
And before Carrie had time to exer-
else will of her own she bent to his
stronger one and went out of the car
with him.
''Goodby, Carrie, If l never see you
agaEa," said Aleck as he. hurried away
to his engine.
He sprang into the cab, and, giving
the bell cord one pull, he opened the
throttle. and the engine started.
"Johnny," said he, glancing back to
where Carrie stood watching the train
as it moved out Of sight, ''the freight is
due in four minutes, and we shall meet
1t. But Emmons ordered us out, and
we must CO."
On sped the noble engine, but Aleck
was not using half his steam.
"Help me keep lookout, Johnny"
he said to his fireman. eff we are eau
hous, it may amount to nothing more
than run back to the station If 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 a short, sharp whistle
from each engine, an instantaneous
closing ef two throttles Then follow
ed grinding crash and shock which
made the very ground tremble.s Then
for one h'ief moment an awful still
ness, broken at last by the sound Of
rushing steam, by the cries and shouts
OF men as they crawled from beneath
the debris of the wrecked trains and