The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-07-10
Western n...
Copyright. 1910. By Charles Scribner's Sons

That's right" he aSsente0 DrlSHlS' 'I was just going to suggest that Then, indicating the men pouring out of the relief train: "I see that my buckles have come up on your train to lend a hand. Command US just the same as if we belonged to you. That is what we are here for" l&
 Van Lew and the collegian walked the three young women little way up the old spur. while the wrecked trains company. the living, the m- jured and the dead, were transferred, down the line to the relief train to be taken back to Red Butte. Flemister helped with the other helpers, but Lidgerwood had an uncomfortable feeling that the man was always at his elbow He was certainly there when the last of the wounded had been carried around the wreck and the relief train was ready to back away to Little Butte. where it could be turned upon the mine spur Y. It was while the conductor of the train was gathering his volunteers for de parture that Flemister said what he had apparently been waiting for chance to say.
 'T can't help feeling indirectly re- sponsible for this, MT. Lidgerwood," he began, with something like return of his habitual self possession. "If l hadn't asked you to come over here tonight
 Lidgerwood interrupted sharply, . "What possible~difference would that have made, Mir. fFlemisterT
 It was not special weakness of Flemister's to say the damaging thing under pressure of the untoward and unanticipated event; it is rather a com mon failing of human nature In a flash he appeared to realize that he had admitted too much.
 ''why, I understood that it was unexpected sight of your special stand ing on the Y that made the passenger engineer lose his head" he countered lamely, evidently striving to recover himself and to efface the damaging admission. t
 It chanced that they were standing directly opposite the break in the track where the rail ends were still held apart by the small stone. Lidger- wood, pointed to the loosened rail, plainly visible under the volleyfng play of the two opposing headlights.
 'There is the cause of the disaster, Mir. FIelnister," he said hotly, "a trap set, not for the passenger train, but for my special. Somebody set it., somebody who knew almost to min ute when we should. reach it Mir. Flemister. let me tell you something don't care any more for my own life than sane man ought to care, but the murdering devil who pulled the spikes on that rail reached out, un. consciously perhaps. but none the less certainly, after a life that would safeguard at the price of my own. Because he did that I'll spend the last dollar of the fortune my father left hanging him."
 It was the needed flick of the whip for the shaken nerve of the mine owner.
 "Ah," said he, "I am sure every one will applaud that determination, MT. Lidgerwood-applaud it and help you to see it through" And then, quite as calmly: q suppose you will go back from here with your special, won't you? You can't get down to Little Butte until the track is repaired and the wreck cleared. Your going back will make no difference in the right of way matter. I can arrange for a meeting with Grofeld at any time-in Angels if you prefer.'
 'Yes," said Lidgerwood absently, 'I am going back from here"
 "Then I guess I may as we'll ride down to my jumping off place with my men. You don't need us any long, CT. Make my adieus to Miss Brew ster and the young ladies, will you, please?'
 Lidgerwood stood at the break in the track for some minutes after the re- treating relief train had disappeared around the steep shoulder of the great hill-was still standing there when Bradford, havingtoncc more sidetrack-- ed the service car on the abandoned mine spur, came down to ask for or ders.
 "We'n hold the siding until Dawson shows up with the wrecking train," was the superintendent's reply. "He ought to be here before long. Where are Miss Brewster and her friends?'S
 "They are all up at the bonfire. Pm having the Jap launder the car little before they move in."
 There was another interval of delay. and Lidgerwood held aloof from the group at the fire. pacing slow sentry beat up and down beside the ditched train and pausing at either turn to listen for the signal of Dawson's com ing It sounded at Iength--a series of shrill whistle shrieks. distance soften ed, and presently the drumming of hasting wheels.
 The draftsman was on the engine of the wreciing train, and he dropped off to join the superintendent.
 "Not, so bad for my part of it this time," was his comment when he had looked the wreck over, Then he asked the inevitable question, "What did it?"
 Lidgerwood beckoned him down the line and showed him the sprung rail.