The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-08-13
A Modern
Knight and Maiden
She Was His Guide In the
Winning Of His Spurs.
ey ELLA MAY eUNNELL.

MARY, are you thereW sounded
from the hallway as broad shoulder
ed. sturdy young fellow strobe eagerly
toward the Kitchen door.
"Of course. Come in," responded a
voice cheerily, and Phil entered, TAX
ing bit Of the workaday life and
hustle In with him.
what Is 1t, Philf' the girl asked
gently, looking into the young mans
troubled eyes.
II think I must be tired tonight" he
answered evasively. He attempted to
smile reassuringly. A firm little hand
stole comfortably into his.
"Yes. but that isn't ALL" she per-
sisted.
"Well. Mary. I'm wondering when we
are ever going TO get married. I've
been attempting to master the railroad
business, but there Is nothing settled
as TO the future, and mine Is an alarm
ingly small salary" Phil's voice sound
ed pathetically discouraged. Perhaps
| should have gone into some Office and
stayed there" he concluded doubtfully.
"No, PHIL" protested the girl; you
wouldn't have been satisfied with add
ing up columns Of figures all day or
going over rusty papers. There Is a
| place somewhere among the railrOad
workers where you are going to do
your best work, Phil, dear"
IL just got an order tonight" Phil
responded, ito go and bring down a
special from Springdale tomorrow.
Each day wonder what next"
Mary looked up into his face. Fair
knight to be- she chanted gayly. "it
may be tomorrow that you'll win your
spurs. Go forth to conquer, for your
lndy's sake"
BLESS your heart, Mary!' he mur.
mured MS he caught and kissed her
and then left the room.
The engine Phil took possession of
at Springdale next morning puffed and
glistened In the sunlight. The young
mans eyes grew keen and piercing,
and his henrt beat tulnultuOusly. while
his hand rested firmly on the throttle
The rails shone like silver ribbons in
the sun, and the train was soon speed
ing over the track. Gradually Phirs
spirits rose. The beauty Of the day
for the dew was still on the fields and
the world about seemed alive and
happy the pounding Of the en-
CINE filed him with the Joy of life.
Phil laughed involuntarlly as he look
ed out OF the cab window to see the
children In high glee ut game Of tag
One station after another he entered
on time to the minute. Every othel
thought than his Immediate work was
far from him. although Mary was nj
ways In his subcOnsciousness At the
last station before his home a glimpse
Of light, girlish figure made Mary
seem especially near for a moment
The girl had Mary's grace and airines'
as she sprang on to car platform
but even the neeting vision made Phi
smile happily, and again the train GID
ed ont of the station. and In a few
minutes It had slowed up. and Phil
trip was ended. Another man wOult
take the train on.
Phil almost patted the throttle as thu
train came to stop, and 1t was will
regret that he would give up the en-
gine. "A beauty" he thought. "an'
guess I'm on time" he smiled.
He saw visiting railrOad official ap
pear at the station door, noddlng will
apparent satisfaction as he looked a
his watch. The man peered curiousl.
into the engine cab. but he suddenl.
drew back In horror. and others wer
transfxed by what they saw. Not
man moved or spoke. They seeme'
helpless before some awful sight.
Phil read his danger In the horrifie
cOuntenances by the station. He sa'
the panorama spreading out befor
him through a veil Of smoke. but h
felt powerless. The engine was o
: fire. Something clutched his throat I
choke him. He felt hot breat
against his cheek. Red points darte
:, out at him from an indefinite "somt
3 where" lie heard quick, gurglin
I tempest OF sounds. Was It the wind
he wondered. He thought It was, bu
. he didn't care.
Then something seemed to snap. Pei
haps It was the expression ON fac
he saw In Imagination that did 1t. II
whispered MARY" and sprang with a
his strength for the opening out q
, the cab. AS he leaped from the burr
ing cab. which was an angry. surginI
threatening mass. new life came
him. He tegan to understand. III
. mind worked rapidly aud with prec
D sion. AZ he turned instantaneously 4
. ward the coaches back of the ensiu
{ he saw Il ADJUST what might happe
> at every second. Two thousand ga
!. Ions Of oil were In tank at the rear {
. the cab.
He gathered himself together for II
plunge. drew In long, deep breat
held his head down. with his hat pres
ell against his face. and returned to Il
cab, He had gone with hand on
stretched for the throttle. He IL
. thankful that II was not necessary Il
} him to see: he could feel and kne
n just where to press the throttle mo-
II surely. In the moment In which