The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1915-01-15
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BETTY IN THE CAB
sy LILLIAN 1ENNEr.rAoMpsoM.


y oa che stood on the platform At
Ciayville, looking up at the young en-.
Sineer 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 Eautln.
ously. I'm going to ride In the cab
with you. You used to let me. Don't
you remember7 Mother won't mind.
Please, Mr.. Belll"
The engineer remembered quite
well; in fact, too we'll.
IAN right" he said resignedly. Il
suppose ri have to take you, II you
insist"
He reached down the gangway and
helped the girl In. 10 the Intense de-
light and curiosity OF the few loung.
era on the platform. Then he took his
place at the throttle, and a moment
later No II started on her 2O.msle
run to Rlverdaie.
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.
TITS %gloriousl" she cried In his ear.
And to think I might have ridden IN
that stuify car. II you'd had your
way"
It's jolly nice to have YOU" Bell
admitted over his shoulder. but l
can sec my finish when your mother
aears Of H."
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 10 the engineer.
Won't you let me take her, Ed?"
Betty asked presently.
Il think not. Miss Betty he Sn-
swered. It hurt him to refu1e her,
however, and he fastened TO soften
his denial. Il really couldn't let you
do anything like that" he sal6, The
risk would be too great I'd Ike to,
right well, but"
"Oh, very WELL" returned Betty.
with raised eyebrows.
At tue same moment she becamS
conscious that Bell bad shut on the
steam and that the speed of the en-
stne was slackenlng. Then the whis-
tie screamed and there was a grinding
OF brakes ON protesting wheels.
What Is Il. Ed" she asked.
Bell was anxiously peering ahead.
striving to pierce the gloom that shut
down like n mantle in front OF the
glaring headlight.
Red lantern" he replied. We're
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 anything7" 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 nom her knees.
She stopped TO recover IL, just as the
engine quivered to a painting stand
till. The shock threw her forward.
nd losing her balance, she slipped to
the floor Of the cab. Al the same In.
slant two dark figures leaped from the
bushes beside the track. n on each
eide OF the locomotive.
Hands upl" came the command,
and the engine crew found themselves
looking into the barrels OF two very
servlceable 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 shout
ders half out OF the cab window.
Put up your hands IN you don't
want the samei" snarled one OF the
dark figures.
The freman's hand had gone swift
" to his hip. He drew II forth hold
ing something that cleaned in the
darkness. There was another Hash
and report. and he sank into a quiv-
srlng heap at Betty's feet.
Get q move on, JIM" exclaimed
one Of the masked men. Then feL
lers won't do no harm, and there's no
time TO fool"
Betty raised her head and listened
intently. Save for a gaHp OF horror
when the fireman had gone down, she
bad made no sound.
She realized instantly hat should
the highwaymen discover her pres
enoe Ia the cab her fate would be
sealed.
They ere some distance away now.
She could hear their footsteps at the
car door. There was a confused noise
81 shouting piercing cry-then ST.
lenee.
Trembling in every limb. the girl
rose to her knees and bent over the
body OF the fireman. lie was very
stll. On the breast OF his shirt a
patch Of scarlet slowly widened. She
took bis hand, Il Ia. limp and power.
less In her own.