Arizona republican., 1912-03-25
MckeHy VERSUS THE
 Blizzard
By ARTHUR K. AYERS
Copyright 1910. by the Pearson Pub
 fishing Co.

and unconscious that to the southware the unwarned rotary. with the snow pouring in a vast glstening torrent from it's swinging spout as the cut ting-wheel in front devoured all be fore it, was working steadily toward them. Feeling secure in the pr0tec- tion that their orders gave them from it. and that which the snow gave them from trains. they put out no light or flag ahead, but turned thought and en- ergy only to their shoveling. And the wreck thas had come was as noth ing to that which would occur when the huge rotary was driven headlong into the blocked-up cut.
 Shut of from all news of the blows, the men at the Junction could but wait and hope in an agony of apprehension. They only knew that Clinch River had backed a forlorn hope and that al ready. miles behind the rotary, sin gle engine was shooting over bridges, roaring in the tunnels, shrieking around the curves, lighting snow and sky with the momentary glare from her furnace. hurTying 10 overtake and warn the blow. This was the one bare chance that Bancroft had had in mind. But whether il would be sue cessful or not was wholly problemat- ical. From time to time the River re- ported the run they were making and NcKelly's heart swelled with pride in the men of his division, but always mingled with il was the deadening fear that the blows lead was too great for even the 1056. with Amhorn him self in the cab, 10 overcome. For lcrnest hope of all. "Hopp' Mcguire. the lame operator al Glenvar with palhe, ic bravery, had just volunteered to try 10 reach the Hanger, on the pos sibiity that it had been delayed by the packed snow in the cuts long enough for him to overtake il on his railway velocipede With Maeuire's departure. the limits of the night-ofice zone shrank back forty miles nearer the Junction, and in the widened gap between it and Milldalc two blows. the hurrying engine and the crippled op- orator on his car were lost to the ken of those at headquarters. The long Ttes.dragged by and the strain and tho cold grow worse. Added 10 the delays caused by the snow blockade were those that came from engines failing to steam in the zero tempera- ture. The wires contracted in it until they broke. and in the sense Of inse- curity that this brought about. the knowledge that with any minute the Junction might he helpless through complete wire failures, the tension be- came terrific At the end of each or der and message NinsOn was giving little gasp of relief that that much more had been accomplished before the strands parted. Then the Glenvar circuit went open and dead, and after that NcKeIly and the chief started at every tremulous spu;ter of the relay as the broken ends of the wire swung occasionally 10 ground. 2 Bancroft held on as long as he could tO the words that he seemed forced 10 utter. His glance travelled from the clock on the wall 10 the sheet in front of Vinson. II guess it's over now" he said duly "I wonder where it hap pened." But there was no reply, eX- cept for the broken chatter Of the tele- graph and the muffled howl of tho north wind that rose and fell weirdly in the chimneys.
 At nearly two o'clock in the morn- ing the Glenvar wire gave out sharp clear click that was followed by a
 
 spatcher. McKelly's hand was fist in the race to the key 10 answer it.
 Wire open south of here" came the stiffiy-formed characters from the numbed fingers of Mcguire. Hanger and Eng. SIS derailed in cut at top of mountain. I met rear engine 923 run ming back under flag to notify super iptendent. They say Bowen and Will son killed on SIS. 923 returned to put out flag ahead to stop other blow"
 For the first and last time in his life McKelly expressed gratitude for q fatal accident Thank Hcaven'' he muttered quickly. that gives the other blow a little more show. Now for the wrecker."
 Then telephones rang constantly In the despatcher's office. the round house. and the shops. Within thirty minutes the wrecking train was steaming swiftly out toward the hills. and again. with the coal tied mp more completely than ever, the slow hours dragged endlessly through the dark. Each request made of Clinch River met with the same reply: their Min eral wire was dead and of the rotary and the pursuing engine they. too. could learn nothing. Five o'clock came and brought no word. The heavy-eyed fighting superintendent Of the mountain lines had just lighted his forty-sixth cigar at the beginning of his forty-sixth hour of continuous struggle to keep them open when the clerk called to him: The Mayors on the phone this early in the morn ing He says people are going cold in this town and we must get some trains in. He says they are tired Of the delays and wants to know what the prospects are"
 McKelly whirled about, his face lined with the grief and cares O. his long sleepless battle. Must is very unfortunate word to use to red headed man who Is in the middle of a fight. Must. heyi" he roared. You tell that Mayor, with my very hottest regards, that if he thinks he can clear this road any faster than we are. to come on down and try it-and bring his shovel Otherwise, tell him rot to annoy me again. I'm busy!"
 He turned back to his seat beside Bancroft. The poor fool." he added 10 himself, ''I don't suppose he knows any hotter And I'm sort nf upset