Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1915-01-14

BETTY IN The CAB
BY LILLIAN BENNEr.THoMpsoN.


- .lEt A COpyrlSHt.D
Il can't, Miss Betty. 1t wouldn't
ado, you know. You remember your
mother"
The girl stamped her foot impatient
,iy as she stood on the platform al
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 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 we'll.
"All right" he said resignedly. 81
suppose I'll have to take you, If YOU
Insist"
He reached down the gangway anG
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.
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.
VIVA is it, Ed?" she asked.
Bell was a~nxiously peering ahead
striving to pierce the gloom that shuI
down like a mantle in front Of thu
glazing headlight.
RED lantern" he replied. Were
almost at the trestle. / dare sa!
there's something wrong there. Tit
rains we've been having for the las
week have swollen the river"
The fireman came over to the RICH
side of the cab. "
Can you make out anything?" HI
asked as he climbed into the cab ant
stood by Bells side, touching his cal
respectfully to Betty.
Bell shook his mead. Betty leaned
forward to look through the window
and her hat slipped from her knees
She stopped to recover 1t, just as thu
engine. quivered to a painting stand
still. The shock threw her forward
and losing her balance, she slipped tt
the fioor of the cab. At the same in
slant two dark figures leaped from thu
bushes beside the track, n on eacl
side Of the locomotive.
u b. sIIo~1a ,,rIv pop,a tho oOmroDd
and the engine crew found themselves
looking into the barrels Of two yer!
serviceable revolvers.
Bell gave an exclamation and start
ed to rise. There were two spurts o
flame from the darkness, followed b.
loud report. The engineer swayeC
slowly back and forth, and theI
pitched forward, his head and shoul
ders half out of the cab window.
'.Put up your hands If you dom
want the same!" snarled n of thu
dark figures.
The freman's hand had gone swift
ly to his hip. He drew It forth hold
ing something that CLEANED in tn
darkness. There was another f1asl
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
intently. Save for a gasp of horroi
when the fireman had gone down, sh'
had made no sound.
She realized instantly that SHOULD
the highwaymen discover her pres
ence in the cab her fate would b.
sealed.
They we're some distance away now
She could hear their footsteps at thu
car door. There was a confused nois'
of shouting-a piercing cry-then 81
lence.
Trembling in every limb. the cir
rose to her knees and bent over tn,
body of the fireman. He was yer!
still. On the breast of his shirt {
patch of scarlet slowly widened. Sht
. took his hand, 1t lay limp and power
less In her own.
Her fingers sought his pulse, bu'
could detect no faintest fiutter. A
great wave Of horror swept over her
He was dead! For a moment she
knelt faint and sick; then she crawlet
to Bells side and dragged herself tt
her feet.
He stirred uneasily and groaned
Thank heaven, he still lived, although
he might be seriously wounded.
Ed" she whispered. Ed"
He opened his eyes and looked uI
at her, vacantly at first, then with {
dawning light Of recognition.
where's Phelps?" he asked weak
ly,
Betty shuddered and pointed to thu
huddled figure on the floor.
Are you badly hurt. Ed?" she
whispered.
my left arms broken, and I've got
q crease alongside o: the head; bu'
I'll be all right. You're not hurt?"
.No. They didn't see me. They're
in the express car after the money
What shall we do"
opltci pCrhIlcE uE MIST ri