Omaha daily bee., 1914-10-04
LIGHT ENGINE.

I-LTGHT ENGINE.
Toward the close OF that summers day Il was
the whim OF that rchmRnager OF theatricals whom
men call Fate to stage anticllmax in the midst
OF vast and hily expanse OF desolate middle west
ern country rude and rugged disk OF earth which
boasted no human tenancy within the circle Of its
far-hung horizon and was bisected not neatly rath
irregularly; by the flowing double line OF steel
ribbons which marked the railroads right of way
over the old Santa Fe trail
SO much for the stage the light effects
provided exclusively by the crimson and purple and
gold OF portentous sunset; the properties en-
ployed we're simply special train and what is
known as a light engine.
II the engineer OF the light engine who start
ed the trouble. After bringing his monster to a
full pause, he turned upon his passengers and
not without plausible excuse-volently indicted Mr.
Alan Law for abuse Of his and his hreman'B trust
fulness. This the said fireman (climbing forward
over the tender) vigorously applRuded
They had been engaged both gentlemen assert
ed vigorously, for nothing more dangerous than a
quick the prairies in furtherance Of the
unspecihed plans OF Mr.. Alan Law and his compan.
ion. Miss Judith Trine. After starting out, they
had wickedy and maliciously been bribed by the
said Law to put on speed and catch up with the
special in order that he might rescue from the
latter young woman, his brideto-be and the sis
ter OF Miss Trine
But-and here was the grievance-they hadn't
bargained to be shot at with pistols. And pre-
cisely that outrage had been put upon them during
and subsequent to the moment Of rescue
II was unhappy Mr.. Barcus who precpitated the
affair. This gentleman suffering from a severe
sprain to his Of decent pride In the service
OF Miss Rose Trine and her betrothed, Mr.. Law,
Barcus had backened his face and hands to the
hue OF ebony and had garmented himself in the
garb OF Pullman porter, surrendering himself to
humiliating service to those aboard the special.
suffering their nsolence and scorn without
mur. but with the tides of wrath mounting ever
higher In his bosom
And now when at length he had won his free
dom from that ignomnious servitude, It only
TO be sworn at and vilihed. as common Niger by
, railroad hands!
II the fireman Ito be just) who brought the
row to focus by q sighting reference to that
"shiftess and misbegotten dinge."
He repented quito promptly Mr.. Barcus Jumped
for his throat with a below OF rage. The fireman
slipped on the cab platform, trod on nothing and
went over backwards. taking Mr.. Barcus with him
to the ballast
At almost the same moment Mr.. Law, attempt
ing to restrain the engineer from going to the as
sistance OF his fellow-worker. ducked In under q
vicious swing for his chin srappled with his foe,
trtpped him up-Rnd went with him to the ground
on the opposite side OF the locomotive from that
occupied by Mr.. Barcus and the fireman.
For the next several seconds he very busy
indeed keeping his face out OF the ballast The en-.
gineer was a heavy man. but active and infuristed.
He fought like a demon unclaimed II was all very
exciting Mr.. Law was even beginning to enjoy It
when he heard woman shrek. At the same In
slant revolvers began TO pop.
Mr.. Law released his foe almost as quickly MS he
released Both rose man, TO find Judith
Trine beside them. a little smile of excitement
playing round her lips as she looked up the track
and watched the special slow down to a stop
several persons the back platform plying busy
trigger-hngers all the while
AS these last threw open the platform gates and
dropped to the ballast s perforsting the air with
many bullets. Mr.. Law, Miss Judith Trine and that
late belgerent the engineer. turned simultaneous
ly and sought the rear OF the tender.
On the opposite side they found Rose Trine and
Mr. Barcus standing uncertainty above the body of
the fireman, who, Il appeared, had stunned himself
in falling and remained insensible.
The appearance OF Law and Judith from behind
the tender. closely pursued by the engineer. who
was in turn closely pursued by gentlemen with
revolvers, stirred Barcus and Rose to action. Alan
passed him at a round pace, pRusing only long
enough to seize Rose and drag her with him toward
the special Judith flung him a phrase OF we'll
meant advice in passing:
Come along you simpleton-unless you want &c
be shot down where you stand!"
Mt Barcus acted on that advice as Immediately
as rssentfuly. Judith Trine was little before hin
at the steps Of the Pullman: Mr. Law had already
assisted Rose aboard. Mr.. Barcus ungraciouslS
gave place TO the lady; his ingraned chivRry sore
iy strained by bullets that kicked among the bal
last round his feet.
Mr. Barcus heaved a heartfelt sigh, sat dowr
heavily on a camp chair. and mopped his heatet
brow. watching the lights OF the locomotive droI
swiftly back into the cleaning.
IF any Of those guys" he assured Mr.. Law pres
entity. could hit barn door with gatlns gun a
twenty paees-well. wouldn't be proving mysel
the giddy ass am by sticking 70 your Iiistarre
fortunes. There wouldn't be any 10 stick TO- be
cause you'd have been snuned out long. long az