The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-12-11

most without jar, on the outskirts Of
city whose name Alan never learned.
For the biplane was barely at a
standstill before he was out. and, reel
ing with the giddiness that affects men
after long flights, making his way as
best he might toward the managers
office connected with a trainyard Inn
mediately adjacent to the spot where
they had come to earth.
Lavish disbursements of money won
him his way against official protests
that what he demanded was an impos-
sibility. Within twenty minutes, leav-
ing Coast to follow on when and as
best he might, Alan and Judith were
spinning through open country in the
cab of an engine running light, with
only clear track between it and the
special
The several hours that ensued be-
| fore the rear lights OF the special were
brought to view were none too many
for the task imposed upon Alan of
overcoming the scruples Of the en-
gineer and fireman.
/
feet separated the two-the special
train and the light engine, both hur.
thing through the light at top speed.
With a word to the engineer Alan
crept out along the side of the boiler,
with only greasy handrail and mar
row foothold between himself and
what meant death, or something close
| Ix1 oh nIIId "a 10
off by the tearing wind and the sway.
ing of the locomotive.
It seemed an hour before he worked
| himself up to the cowcatcher-now
within four feet of the rear platform
| of the special.
On this last he could see woman's
figure indistinctly silhouetted against
the light through the door, and beside
her a man in white coat, clinging for
dear life to the knob Of the door
holding it against the frantic efforts Of
some persons inside to tear 1t open.
Another hour of suspense dragged
out-or such was the effect-while the
light engine with intolerable slowness
bridged those four scant feet.
At length 1t was feasible to attempt
the thing. Rose Che could see her
strained white face quite plainly now
was half over the rail Of the car ahead,
ready to jump.
His heart failed him. 1t was too
hazardous risk He dared not let her
take it.
Something very like a shot sounded
from the train and something very like
a bullet whistled past his cheek, and
proved the signal for several more.
Strangely, that knowledge steadied
his nerves. Straining forward and
holding on to a bar so hot that 1t
scorched his palm, he offered hand
to the girl on the rail.
Her hand fell confidently into It. She
jumped. His arm wound round her as
she landed on the platform of the cow
catcher. He heard her breathe his
name, then hurriedly passed her be-
tween himself and the boiler to the
footway at the side. The fireman was
waiting there to help her. Alan turned
his attention to Barcus.
To his dismay he found that the en-
CINE was losing ground. The space
was widening rapidly as Barcus re-
leased the knob and threw himself
over the rail.
BY a miraculous. flying leap. the
man accomplished that incredible feat
and gained the platform.
An instant later ten feet separated
the engine from the special, as the en-
gineer applied the brakes.
And this he did none too soon: for
at the same time MarTophat and an
other appeared on the rear platform
and opened hot. but. thanks to the
widening distance, Intellectual FIRE.
The engine ground slowly to halt
as the rear lights OF the special train
swept from sight round bend.