Evening star., 1909-06-05
ss 8 . $ ! 81 8 = B 3 : &$$@6316 b

The fireman, who had been crouching on
the tender. now worked his way forward
into the cab.
"Hellow grunted conover. Grossly. 'Td
forgot you. / spose I got to slow up
while you jump.
IF I was a jumper. SIR" replied the
fireman. quietly, I'D have gotten or at
the station"
With stolid unconcern the fellow set
about stoking. Conover grinned.
IF we live past that bridge" he re-
passenger engineer Steady. now"
The locomotive was at top speed once
more Around a curve it tore. listing
far to one side. Straight ahead. through
the gray murk. rose the trestled bridge
"A blur Of brownish-red spanning a
soea f9e drop Of white at fnet.a
cut here and there by black lumphead
boulders. SLOW to ten miles an hour"
read the patch Of signboard at the
bridges head. At either side Of the
railroad embankment stood knots OF
country folk. idly watching the con.
demned framework.
At sixty miles an hour the locomo-
tive swept into the straightaway- A
scattering chorus OF cries rose from .
dozen lips as the shadowy giant bulk
leaped out Of the mist.
Then. in the same instant. the dull
rumble Of wheels on a ground track was
changed to the hollow roaring roll OF
wheels on trestle. jar Of Impact
a sickening sway OF the whole wood.
and-steel structure-a swapping. rend.
ing sound from somewhere far below
a wind-borne scream from the group
behind-and once more the changed key
OF the driving wheels song told that
the f1imsy bridgeway was succeeded by
solid roadbed beneath the rails.
"Scared?" asked Conover, over his
shoulder. to the fireman.
1--WE just been too near to death to feel
like lying" returned the man. In q sickly
attempt at humor. 80 I might as we'll
hear a few harps twanging. My hearts
still somewhere around the place where
swallow
you've got grit" vouchsafed the
Fighter. straining his eyes to pierce
Mans made Of dust. the parsons say.
but guess there was plenty Of sand
sprinkled In yours an mine. An l IKE
you better for not bein' ashamed to tell
you was afraid. The brave man ain't the
who's scared stin and goes ahead just
the same. I guess I'll have to change
that new Job OF yours from pass'nger enc
gineer to somethin' In my own ONCE.
Now, chase back to your work. I've got
other things to think OF besides 1awn'
with you"
The junction was reached and passed
No longer on his own road. Conover was
clear for him. Yet his kilograms had
had effect. The line was open. and he
sent his locomotive along with no let-up
in its terrific speed
"I'll make it." he said once. under his
IL he can only hold 'em!"
Over went the lever. and with another
shrill shrek the engine slackened speed.
They had rounded bend Directly In
front was a station. Beside 1t stood
long train. blocking the single track. In
a bound. Conover was out OF the cab.
Shouting to the fireman to follow. he set
off at a run through the mud puddies that
lined the right of way.
"Whatcher stoppin' for?" he demanded
of the conductor who stood by one OF
the rears cars
Waiting for the directors OF the road
answered the conductor. They're lunch.
ing up at the presidents house. They
were due here three minutes ago. This
trains local. SO we're holding It till
Conover heard no more, but broke into
a run: heading for the engine
DO you mind gettin' into trouble?" he
painted to the fireman at his side I'll
stand by you
You're the boss" replied the man. la
conically, putting on fresh burst OF
speed to keep up with his employer.
Good! I'm goin' to steal that engine.
You uncouple her an scramble aboard
I'll tend to the crew"
They had reached the locomotive as he
spoke The engineer had left his cab
the platform. His fireman lolled from the
window. smoking pipe. Conover. never
breaking his stride. swung aboard the
cab and threw open the throttle the
same moment his follower yanked loose
the old-fashioned coupling pin. disen-
gaged-the air brake and gained the tender
with flying leap.
(To be continued tomorrow.)