The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1912-04-05
BY cLAupIhE s,ssoN.

That Keswick. after q college course,
should return to vaudon and take q
place as motorman on the vaudon and
Arverne trolley line was a little more
than nine days wonder in Vaudon.
where the Keswicks had lived for half
q century.
Great promises had been made on
Renton Keswick's behalf when he de-
cided to take portion Of his fathers
insurance money and complete his COL
lege course, and It was confidently pre-
dicted that he would make a name for
himself in the city beyond when his
four years should be up. Instead he
had quietly returned to his old home
and he'd applied for and obtained
place ss motorman on the new line
just completed to Arverne.
Even Horace Gusts had been some
what surprised at Ren's request to be
put on car. I'VE could use you here
in the Office. Rem" he suggested az be
swung around in his Office chair.
mo. thank you" was Renton's quiet
rejoinder. Il want to know something
about trolleying before ! sit in front Of
roll top desk. and guess the front
platform of car is as good place as
any from which to study"
So Gusts had let him 20. and that
evening when Dorothy Gusts remon-
strated with him for not doing better
by the son of his old friend he laid
hand on her shoulder.
DOT" he said kindly. "for your sake
as we'll as for the sake of poor Tom
Keswick would have been glad to
put the boy to work in the Office, but
a college education has not spoiled
him. and gave him the place for
which he asked"
Dorothy. blushing to find that her
secret was known to her father, Ned
to her room. and after that the subject
was dropped SO far as the Gusts
household was concerned.
Vaudon was more interested, how
ever. and there were many who freely
remarked that If Rem Keswick could
not do better than a motorman's Job
after all that schooling it would have
city.
Meanwhile, Rem stuck to the motor
mans box and in short time he was
regarded as the best operator on the
road. He knew every curve and grade
on the eighteen miles of track. and his
car was never late. because. no matter
what the delay. he knew how to favor
the work and come up to the Vaudon
station on time.
Once when there had been q break
at the power house which shut of the
power from the line for twenty min
utes he had raced the accommodation
from the brook crossing to the station
and had beaten it by three minutes. It
was an eight mile run from the cross
ing to the station by trolley. but tho
railroad took curve to avoid cross.
ing Arverne creek twice and had four
miles farther to go.
Dorothy was frequent passenger
on the car. and it was natural that she
should avail herself of her privilege
as daughter of the president of the
road to ride on the front seat with the
motorman. II she happened to take
the car on which Rem was the motor
man it certainly had the appearance
of an accident. and not even Vaudon
talked about it. which was surprising.
Those rides were precious times to
Renton as he stood at the controller
and nursed the heavy car over the
tracks. Once when he had been late
and was hurrying to make up his time
she had looked up with glowing eyes
as he helped her down the step.
I'D just love to be with you some
time when you are making a real fast
run" she smiled. and he, smiling back
into the eager eyes. had replied:
III ever have to make real fast
run I'll let you know"
She was talking of his promise a.
they sped toward the town one even
ing in August. There had been q dance
out at Arverne lake. and Dorothy had
left early to meet her father. A cele-
bration was being held some thirty
miles up the road. and her father was
among the invited guests. They were
coming home on special train, tbs
governor and his star and half a hun.
bred others. The train was due af
Vaudon at about the same time ~ the
special. and Dorothy had left the party
early in order to be home to meet her
father.
Once or twice Rem had let out the
car on level stretches to see her eyes
dash with excitement and had crept
along the harder parts to keep his
schedule even.
They were taking It easy along the
stretch by the creek when, AZ they m
the railroad. they spied
headlight up the track. 4.
There was plenty Of time. and rather
than take chances Rem stopped On the
near side Of the crossing and rested
on the seat a moment % the light drew,
nearer.
Az It dashed past there was cry
from Dorothy. In the moonlight she
saw that there was no one in the cab !
did you seer she demanded excit-
edly a. she grasped Ren's arm.
: Runaway" he assented.
The traing' she gasped. Ren's faco
a - t " rs