The Southern herald., 1915-01-15
oooooooooOeOooOoosooOooooo
IN THE CAB
BY LILLIAN BENNET.THoMPsoN,
(Copyright.l

tCOpyTlBHLI .
II can't, Miss Betty. 1t WOULDN'T
do, you know. You remember your
mother"
The girl stamped her foot inpatient
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, "a per-
picked expression on his face.
Il don't care" she declared mutin-
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 Il
suppose I'll have to take you, If you
insist"
He reached down the gangway and
helped the girl in, to 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 on
her hat, and the rush Of air
whipped her hair around her flushed
cheeks.
Its glorious!" she cried in his ear.
"And to think l might have ridden in
that stuffy car, If you'd had your
way"
Its jolly nice to have you" Bell
admitted over his shoulder. But l
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.
won't you let me take her, Ed?"
Betty asked presently.
II think not, Miss Betty" he an
swered. 1t hurt him to refuse her,
however and he fastened to soften
his denial. II really couldn't let you
do anything like that" he said. "The
risk would be too great. I'd like to,
right well, but"
"Oh, very WELL" 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-
gine was slackening Then the whis:
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 a mantle in front Of the
glaring headlight.
Red lantern" he replied. Were
almost at the trestle. l 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 car
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 a painting stand
still. The shock threw her forward
and losing her balance, she slipped tc
the floor of the cab. At the same in
stant two dark figures leaped from the
bushes beside the track, one on eact
side of the locomotive.
"Hands 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 o.
Adluo lIOLu TIC udI huCS5, lOiiOWCu W
loud report. The engineer swayeC
slowly back and forth, and the1
pitched forward, his head and shoul
ders half out Of the cab window.
PUT up your hands if you dom
want the same!" snarled one of thu
dark figures.
The fireman's hand had gone swift
ly to his hip He drew it forth hold
ing something that cleaned in thu
darkness. There vas another fasl
and report, and he sank into a quiv
ering heap at Betty's feet.
Get move on, JIM" exclaimed
one of the masked men. Them fel
lers won't do no harm, and there's nj
time to fool"
Betty raised her head and listened
intently. Save for gasp Of horro
when the fireman had gone down, sh,
had made no sound.
She realized instantly that shoult
the highwaymen discover her pres
ence in the cab her fate would b.
sealed.
They were some distance away nov
She could hear their footsteps at tn,
car door. There was a confused nois,
of shouting-a piercing cry-then 81
lence.