Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-04-20
SACRIFICED.


with a rattle and jar and the kissing
Of steam. 1t was the pay train.
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 a second look at the
trim. graceful figure Of young lady
who was coming toward him.
Carrie Davisr' he exclaimed In
pleased surprise. Il wonder why she
Is here alone7 ] hope she does not
want to go back with us. for
Carrie came tripping across the
street, her face Nil smiles at the
thought Of the surprise she would give
that great. brave, cool headed engineer.
Aleck Carson looked up in the quietest
way and said:
"Good morning, Carrie"
Nov, that Is too badw exclaimed
Carrie, with look Of smiling vexation.
II was going to surprise you. and you
meet me as IL you knew all the time
that was coming"
II saw you when FIRST got out Of
the cab. When did you come up%
"On the morning train. and / want
to go back with you. have been hur-
rying 80 as to get ready. How soon do
you startY
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
wait for the express? We are running
wild, you know. and you will not gain
over two hours time"
"Oh, / can't wait two whole hours"
said Carrie. Il am going back on this
train-that is. If can"
A look Of annoyance passed over
Alexis face, but he replied pleasantly
enough:
II don't suppose there will be any
objections, yet / 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
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. 'T'n step back into the
coach, and / guess you had better open
your door. Steam is pretty well up
now"
Emmons was chatting gayly with
Carrie, but when Aleck entered he
said rather brusquely:
"All right, Carson. Go ahead"
Aleck looked at his watch to make
sure that he was right.
"Do you mean 60 aheadY he asked
In some surprise.
Eyes, go ahead" 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. 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 wildT he said to EmmOns
loud enough for all to hear.
II know my business" replied EN-
mons. go ahead, l sayr'
"Emmons, are you sure you know
| your businessY'
go aheadw screamed Emmons,
white with rage. "And give her all the
steam you've got If you are too much
| of a coward
"Stopl'' said Aleck, his face pale, but
determined. III you say go ahead, 1
win go If / strip my engine to strings.
But 1t 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. Conner
And before Carrie had time to exer-
else a win Of her own she bent to his
stronger one and went out OF the car
with him.
"Goodby, Carrie, If never see you
again." 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, glanclng back to
where Carrie stood watching the train
as It moved out Of sight, 1.-THE freight is
due in four minutes, and we shall meet
it. 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 a lookout. Johnny"
he said to his fireman. IF we are eau
tious, 1t may amount to nothing more
than run back to the station. II we
can pass the curve, we can see miles
God have mercy!n
This exclamation was caused by the
sight OF the approaching freight train.
There was a 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