Evening star., 1914-04-19

WIE started Every fiber in trembe my
engine dragged out the slack Almost before we
had reached fiftcer-ne clip was looking for and
pecting to see a little hutter of white ahead There
were times after had reached the foothills when it
seemed to me that couldn't bear it. Oh, can't tell
YOU how felt Boys! Once was sure saw, midway
between the rails what had the day before, there
in the dancing wedge of light, there in the early noun
tain dawn. jamncd the throttle home and selzed the
reverse bar
But Jimmy saved the situation for When |
came to was living back the COAL and my face was
wet with dash of water from the tank | crowded
Aulhaven out of my seat, and took my places though
my strength hardly equal to the occasion. My
fireman crept down. and took the throttle in hand
that fairly Jumped with nervousness But Jimmy did
not give over to myself without protest
Look here he pleaded lifting his voice above the
rush and roar of the iron wheels. You've got to quit
What of the gantlet2 Curse the gantet! I'll it for
vou YOU can't do it. And then you've got kidtie,
and haven't I haven't anybody. Let me up there,
and you keep steam. Well be in the big hills in ten
minutes
ale put hand on my shoulder but jerked away
savagelv I'm not a coward | cried madly felt
lelirious; for knew that staring death hard IN
the face Boys. Feed that furnace there! continued
We've got to speed up. Give steam, AIulhaven,
I-I'll make you!'
Cad, Bows! 1t hurt me to say that but thought
it was the only way to accomplish my purpose.
"Mulhaven, bless his fine soul, wouldn't quit. He
crowded my hand from the throttle and began to push
himself into my place And then, Boys struck him in
the face with sth11, the best TREND that the Al
mighty gave a man!
keep to your place, will you? almost screamed.
I'm the boss in this cab, If you please!
@1l never forget the way poor old Jimmy there looked
at me- I'll always remember that tiny tncllc OF red
that cut its way down his grimy check
Il leaned out at the window far that the laurels
that hung down from the mountainside above almost
swept my shoulder. courtlng the rifle bullet that
l knew would whining out of the woodland
above. had become desperate, and wished tor death
rather than the suspense and the fear of DEATH kept
my gaze solidy ahead The tracks were blurred some
how and again thought saw little flutter OF white;
but caught myself before had touched the reverse
bar. And once | gave glance toward my fireman.
that he had just thrown shovelful OF coal against
the furnace door.
@When we were tearing round little this
side of the scene of the terrible accident the rifle bullet
came. felt rather than heard it. 1t passed through
the window and buried itself in the side of the freans
seat Yes it missed entirely; but by only an inch
or So looked quickly. Standing fifty yards up
on the mounta1sde half hidden by great dead oak,
saw the tall wildly beautiful woman, smoking rifle
in her hand. Her dead-back hair all tangled, and
her clothing torn and ragged The one foot saw
was bare In her deep, brown eyes saw, in that one
heeting glance the spirit of the mother everlasting.
And noted that she seemed to be much disappointed
at missing her aim.
4Iimmys voice came to me- and there distinct
tone of gladness in it:
"She didn't take into account the fact that the en-
CINE running twenty-five miles an hour, he SAID,
and hope she will. You see she can't hit you
unless she aims ahead of you few inches At least
chances prolonged
al understood While the bullet Travelled fifty yards,
the engine moved few inches-that it. But |
knew that wouldn't take her long find why she
missed me- and then
ITO give full account of the next two weeks is thing
that feel unable to do. An agent of the company
+,a1 .,ox
cept damages without going to the courts; but the
woman had fed when she him coming, doubt