The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-01-02
sssssssssssssseeessseeee.e
IN. The CAB
BY LILLIAN BENNET-THOMPSO
(C0pyright.l

Can l, MISS Betty. IL wouldn't
do, you know. You remember your
mother"
The girl stamped her foot impatient
ly as she stood on the platform at
Clayville. looking up at the young en-.
gineer who was leaning from the win
dow of the cab. cap in hand, per-
picked expression on his face.
Il don't care" she declared muffin.
ously. I'm going to ride in the cab
with you. You used to let me. Don't
you remember? Mother won't mind.
Please, Mr.. Bell."
The engineer remembered quite
well; in fact. too well.
"All right" he said resignedly. 81
suppose I'll have to take you, if you
insist"
He reached down the gangway and
helped the girl in, 10 the intense de-
light and curiosity of the few loung-
ers on the platform Then he took his
place at the throttle, and a moment
later No II started on her 2O-mile
run to Riverdale
The long fields, looking still and
ghostly in the quiet starlight, slid by
them in rapid succession. Betty took off
her hat and the rush of air
whipped her hair around her flushed
cheeks.
It's glorious." she cried in his ear.
And to think | might have ridden in
that stuffy car, if you'd had your
way
It's jolly nice to have you" Bell
admitted over his shoulder. But
can see my finish when your mother
hears of it,"
No. II was running easily along the
smooth stretch of track about a mile
east of the bridge when Betty, wearied
of watching the woods and sky, turned
her attention to the engineer.
Wont you let me take her, Ed?"
Betty asked presently.
Il think not, Miss Betty" he an
swered. 1t hurt him to refuse her,
however, and he FASTENED to soften
his denial. Il really couldn't let you
do anything like thai he said. "The
risk would be too great. I'd like to,
right well, but"
oh, very we'll" returned Betty,
with raised eyebrows.
At the same moment she became
conscious that Bell had shut off the
steam and that the speed of the en-
CINE was slackening Then the whs-
tie screamed and there was a grinding
of brakes on protesting wheels.
What is it, Ed?" she asked.
Bell was anxiously peering ahead,
striving to pierce the gloom that shut
down like mantle in front of the
glarng headlight
Red lantern" he replied We're
almost at the trestle. | dare say
there's something wrong there The
rains we've been having for the last
week have swollen the river
The fireman came over to the right
side Of the cab.
Can you make out anything" he
asked as he climbed into the cab and
stood by Bells side, touching his cap
respectfully to Betty.
Bell shook his head Betty leaned
forward to look through the window,
and her hat slipped from her knees.
She stopped to recover it, just as the
engine quivered to painting stand
still, The shock threw her forward,
and losing her balance, she slipped to
the floor of the cab. At the same in
slant two dark figures leaped from the
bushes beside the track, one on each
side Of the locomotive
Islands up" came the command.
and the engine crew found themselves
looking into the barrels of two very
serviceable revolvers..
Bell gave an exclamation and start
ed to rise. There were two spurts Of
flame from the darkness, followed by
loud report. The engineer swayed
slowly back and forth, and then
pitched forward, his head and shoul.
ders half out of the cab window.
Put up your hands IL you don't
want the same," snarled one of the
dark figures.
The firemans hand had gone swift
ly to his hip. He drew it forth hold
ing something that cleaned in the
darkness. There Vas another flash
and report. and he sank into a quiv.
ering heap at Betty's feet.
"Gct a move on. JIM" exclaimed
one of the masked men. Them fell
lers won't do no harm, and there's no
time to fool"
Betty raised her head and listened
intently. Save for gasp of horror
when the fireman had gone down, she
had made no sound.
She realized instantly that should
the highwaymen discover her pres
ence in the cab her fate would be
sealed.
They were some distance away now.
She could hear their footsteps at the
car door. There was a confused noise
of shouting-a piercing cry-then ST.
lence.
Trembling in every limb, the girl
rose to her knees and bent over the
body of the fireman. He was very