Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-11-21

from giants toy-shop, rolled over the
ash-pit and stood kissing under the
pail of its own smoke. A tall man in
blue overalls, lurching down from the
height of the cab, began TO nose about
the mass Of machinery: and at the
sight a silence dropped upon the little
group by the roundhouse.
Curtin, engineer of the Centurion
Limited, began the inevitable discus
sion. "'Tain't natural and faint hu.
man." he declared. His eye swept the
gathering, and he adopted a more
direct appeal. You knew her, Rick !;
and you, Frale; and you all know him
since
He bit off the obvious half Of the
sentence. Most Of them had been at
the funeral-two had been bearers
and had extended the quiet sympathies
which flow unbidden from man to man
when the hour strikes; and afterward
had gone from their way to pass a
quiet word or two of greeting. Now
they were wondering.
There's no CALL" Curtin pursued,
for a fellows bawling like hurt kid,
though no shame TO him, say |, if he
nothing had happened - cheerful.
whistling at his works it human"
Let me. let me-" warned Frale, the
oldest of the assembly. Maybe the
mans tryin' to forget it. You-no, nor
any of us-has a right to judge. Did
any of you see him during his two
weeks lay-off? Why, look here, Nay
ley fair worshipped her. 1t took him
two years TO get her, with him and
Donovan both after her, first one
ahead. then t'other, and the round
house laying bets on the winner. Now
she's gone, and Nayleys working
things out his own way. It's his
right"
He looked sorry enough when he
first come back" someone contributed.
And for how long," Curtin wanted
TO know Bout a week-'til they
give him his new 'tail-trunil,' monkey
motion compound engine" The
speaker waited. then asked dryly, Did
you ever give new toy TO a kid?'
Frale rounded in flash. Curtin,
tell you again, let me. And you his
friend"
"Right,-and that's why I'm tryin'
to understand. Don't make no mis-
take on that. But | can't see that It's
human for a man TO carry on like his
wife hadn't just died"
stead of talkin' behind his back,
why don't you go TO him and find out!
That's the decent thing 10 do
The others first flush of anger gave
place TO a meditative silence followed
by earnest agreement You're right,
Frale. it amt fair; and I'll do it
That evening he found Nayley alone
in the little house. AS they talked or
their work, odds and ends OF gossip
from read and yard, the visitor saw
slight change in the man; but in the
eyes which sank deeply in contrast TO
the high cheek bones the hungry visit
fulness had been succeeded by quiet
contentment, far removed from resiS-
nation.
THE 922 working all right?'
The eyes Frightened. Sweet as a
whistle" came the reply. More was
forthcoming. but Curtin checked it by
a change Of subject.
How does it seem, JIM" he in
Quired with a wave OF his hand about
the room.
The answer came a trife too read
lily. I'm getting used to it now"
Curtin could no longer stem the flood
of his resentment. Jim, he blurted,
red of face, there's talking over TO
the roundhouse-about you.
Nayley drew up his spare frame.
And what can they say about me-!
he demanded with quick curiosity.
Curtin hesitated: then, as diplomacy
was not in the curriculum of his school
OF experience, he Numbered through
the facts as he and others saw them;
and because he dearly loved a fight,
verbal or otherwise. he ended with a
slur upon the others ability. They
saw you're not At 10 run an engine.
This was met by smile. Has the
Emerald been moren usual late, that
they say that" Nayley retorted. Evil
IDENTIFY this was not a weak joint IN
the armor.
And the rest?"
The smile died. That's different,
and it's nobody's business was the
answer. quiet and decisive-"nobody's
business but mine.
The others eyelids lowered to an
aggressive line beneath their reddish
brows. Was il me and you-or some
body else-that started together as
wipers on the II. X. ID. in '9S?
1--WE did, but"
Curtins chair rasped on the bare
floor. I'll be goin',' he snapped on
his way 10 the door.
No. you won't" Nayley's hand
came down on his shoulder. Wait
bit-wait It'll see how TO tell it.
So Curtin waited.
You'll make me out crazy Nayley
began in hating reluctance. but il It's
SO, I'd rather be that way than
straight. p. When she-when it
happened, it seem as il the whole
world was like driving into the mouth
of a tunnel you knew you'd never come
out of-all black. Nothing counted. |
just somehow knew | was living. and
that's all. You doa't know"
Right we'll | do" Curtin growled;
three years ago-and you needn't re-
mind me, neither"
We'll" went on the speaker. un-
needing, when old It. j. called me in
and give me the 222 il didn't wake me,
He must a understood. for ne said
nothing-just showed me cut OF the
door.
Twas the Fight nights run did the
trick. They're good engines. and
knew II as soon as / opened up and
felt her bite the rail. Then | hooked
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