Carrizozo outlook. [volume] (Carrizozo, N.M.) 1910-1945, 1915-01-22

BETTY IN THE CAB
BY LILLIAN sENNEr.THoMPsoN.
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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-
glneer who was leaning from the win
dow OF the cab, cap In hand, a per-
picked expression on his face.
II 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.. Belt"
Tho engineer remembered quite
well; in fact, too well.
"All right he said reslgnedly. 81
suppose I'll have TO take you, II you
insist"
lie 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 20-mile
run to Riverdalo.
No. II was running easily along the
smooth stretch OF track about n mile
east OF the bridge when Betty. wearled
OF watching the woods and sky, turned
her attention TO the engineer.
What is II, Ed7" she asked.
Bell was anxIously peerlng ahead,
striving to pierce the gloom that shut
down like n mantle In front OF the
glazing headlight.
RED lantern" he replied. Were
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 anythlng?" he
asked as he climbed into the cab and
stood by Bell's 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 o II, just as the
engine quiyered 10 a painting stand
stlll. 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, n on each
side OF the locomotive.
Hands upi" came the command,
and the engine crew found themselves
looking into the barrels OF two very
servlceable %revolvers.
Bell gave an exclamation and start
cd 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 shout
ders half out OF the cab window.
Put up your hands II you don't
want the same!" snarled one OF the
dark figures.
The freman's hand had gone swift
ly to his hip. lie drew II forth hold
Ing something that cleaned in The
darkness. There vas another hasf
and report, and he sank into a quiv
ering heap at Betty's feet.
Get a 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
lntently. Save for q gasp OF horroI
when the fireman had gone down, sh'
had made no sound.
She realized instently that shoult
the highwaymen discover her pros
ence in the cab her fate would b,
sealed.
They were some distance away now
She could hear their footsteps at tn
ear door. There was a confused noisl
Of shoutlng-a piercing cry-then 81
lence.
Trembling In every limb, the cir
rose to her knees and bent over IN.
body OF the n~eman. He was yer,
stlil. on the breast OF his shirt
patch OF scarlet slowly wldened Sh
took his hand, II lay limp and power
less in her own.
Her fingers sought his pulse, bu
could detect no faintest flutter.
great wave OF horror swept over hei
lie was deadl For a moment sh
knelt faint aud sick; then she crawle
10 Bells side and dragged herself I
her feet.
He stirred uneaslly and groane'
Thank heaven, he still lived, althoug
, he might be seriously wounded.
Ed" she whispered. Ed"
lie opened his eyes and looked u
at her, %vacantly at first. then with
, dawning light OF recognition.
where's Phelps2" he asked veal
|, y.
/. Betty shuddered and pointed to III