Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-01-01

n EGG1 telt thrill or 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 SEM
sation Of riding on locomotive.
Number 337 seemed like powerful
living creature that was running
away with the long string of cars
behind it.
But it wasn't running away. In
stead it was being driven by master
who's slightest touch it instantly
obeyed. Though Engineer Bill was
weak and i'll, his hand held the throt-
tie i'll slillful grip that at one mo-
ment kept Number 337 closely in
check to round a curve and at the
next sent the great locomotive leap
ing ahead at tremendous speed along
straight stretch of track.
Fred, the fireman. was kept busy
shoveling coal into the firebox. Num-
Der 337 was a giant in strength, but
it also had a giants appetite. Peggy,
who felt that the fireman, in his en-
nifty for the engineer. had mischief
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 337 had jumped
the track and was plunging to its
destruction. But glance ont of the
cab window showed her that they
we're simply whizzing through a
small town. The rattle was caused
by wheels Gathering over switches
while the roar was the echoing back
of the roar of the train as they pas
Sc cars standing on the sidetracks.
A quick flicker of lights and the
town left far behind.
Now Peggy saw ahead bright
spot of light. 1t grew larger and larg-
er at amazing speed, hurting itself
straight at them. In fash she real
lied that it was another train. With
cry of fear she seized Engineer
Bills arm. Couldn't he see the dam
ger?
Bill heard her cry and felt her
grasp his arm. For just moment he
seemed about to turn toward her.
Then he stiffened in rigid attention
TO his duty, his eyes keeping steadily
10 the track ahead of him. But he
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 b-aced herself to meet an
awful crash. there was pounding
roar, and the other train Numbered
by.
Then Peggy, almost willing in
sudden relief, remembered that this
was a double track road. OF course,
Engineer Bill hadn't slackened
speed. There was no need to, for
the other train was safe on its own
rails
Engineer Bill, as soon as the ne
cessity Of attention was past, turned
to see why his arm had been seized.
He looked across toward Fred, the
fireman. and was plainly astonshed
to see him in his place. Evidently
he thought Fred was the one who
had spoken. There was such
clangor in the cab that Engineer Bill
did not try to call out to Fred, but
few minutes later, when he had
brough. the train to a stop at
Junction, he turned to the fireman.
Why did you shout and crab my
arm back there?" he asked.
Whats the matter with your" re-
torted Ere din 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 in
TO his eyes, and moment later she
heard him murmur to himself.
Can it be that I'm delirious? !
surely heard a shout and felt hand
on my arm.
Fred swung himself out of the cab
for moment as the train stood still.
but was back at his place as the
conductor gave the go ahead signal.
Peggy wondered where he had been,
her curiosity being sharpened by a
queer, guilty look on his face. Ven
turing over to his side of the cab she
heard him mutter:
Maybe III get my chance to drive