Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-11-20
CHAPTER I'll
The Dancing FirUre

DEGGG felt thrill OF delicious excitement
as the Night Flyer plunged through the
darkness. Never had she been on so fast a
train. and never had she felt the sensation of
rlalhs on locomotive. Number S37 seemed
like powerful living creature that was
running away with the long string Of cars
behind it.
But it wasn't running away Instead 1t
was oeing driven by master whose slight
est touch 1t instantly oE d. Though
Engineer Bill was weak and Il his hand held
the throttle in a skilful GRIP that at one
moment kept Number 337 closely in check
TO round curve and at the next sent the
great locomotive leaping ahead at tremendous
speed along straight stretch of track
Fred, the fireman. was kept busy .shovelins
coal into the fireboX Number 337 was n
giant in strength, but it also had giants
appetite. Peggy, who felt that the fireman,
in his enmity for the engineer had mIschier
in his mind, was glad to see that his work
Kept him hustling. He didn't have much
time for plotting
AS Peggy watched Fred, a loud rattle and
roar startled her nearly out of her wits Her
first thought was that Number S37 had
Jumped the track and was plunEinR TO It's
destruction. But a glance out of the cab
window showed her that they were simply
whizzing through small town. The rattle
was caused by wheels clattering over switches
while the roar was the echong back OF the
roar of the train as they passed cars stand
ing on the sidetracks. quick flicker of
lights. and the town was left far behind
Now Peggy saw ahead a bright spot of
light. 1t grew larger and larger at amazing
speed hurting itself straight at them. In a
flash she realized that 1t was another train
With a cry of fear she seized Engineer Birs
arm. Couldn't he see the danRer2
Bill heard her cry and felt her grasp his
arm. For just moment he seemed about
to turn toward her Then he stifrened in
rigid attention to his duty, his eyes keeping
steadily to the track ahead of him. But h,
didn't slack the speed Of the Night Flyer one
bit.
All this happened in just the smallest part
of minute. The other engine was almost
upon them. AS Peggy braced herself to meet
an awful crash. there was pounding roar,
and the other train thundered by.
Then Peggy, almost willing in sudden
relief, remembered that this was a double
track road, OF course, Engineer Bill hadn't
sackened speed There was no need TO- for
the other train was safe on It's own rails
Engineer Bill, soon the necessity of
attention was past, turned to see why his
arm had been seized He looked across to-
ward Fred, the fireman. and was plainly
asonished to see him in his place. Evidently
he thought Fred was the one who had spoken
There was such a clangor In the cab that
Engineer Bill did not try to call out to Fred
but few minutes later, when he had brought
the train to stop at junction, he turned
to the fireman.
why did you shout and grab my arm bac
there" he asked.
whats the matter with your retorted
Fred in surprise. I've been on my own side
of the cab all the time. Are you seeing
things?"
Engineer Bill didn't answer, but Peggy saw
a troubled look come into his eyes and a
moment later she heard him murmur to him
self.
Can 1t be that I'm delirous? I SURELY
heard shout and felt hand on my arm.
Fred swung himself out of the cab for a
moment as the train stood still. but was ba clx
| at his place as the conductor save the 10
| ahead signal. Peggy wondered where he had
| been her curiosity being sharpened bv a
| queer, guilty look on his face. Venturng owe r
| to his side of the cab she heard him mutter .
Maybe I'll get my chance to drive the
Night Flyer before we get to the end of the
run. II he's seeing things, I'll give him some
thing to see that will drive him crazy"
| Again the train glided on its way again
there was a flicker of lights as the Junction
| town was left behind, and again Number S37
| roared into the darkness.
ment ; she tngled with the delight OF swift
| motion But suddenly her delight vanisheo
! and horror took its place. There ahead
ing figure, and the train was rushing at II
| she saw IT, she felt a sharp jerk and heard
| Engineer Bill had seen the figure and applied
/ the air brakes.
fTomorop toii be told aolp Peggy sss.
copers piotl s