The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1920-06-10
THE RED
LIGHT
By oTILLTA F. PFEIFFER

Nhth Aluu rIlSult WIS III SllUTk
trousers, Nellie Dwight was his little
sweetheart. When he emerged into
near manhood and went to work In
the village, their mutual loyalty and
devotion had grown with the years.
The Dwights lived three miles away
from Leesburg and 1t was quite hike
for Alan to traverse the distance three
evenings week, but he made It four
with an occasional daytime hour when
possible as he had acquired bicycle.
The machine was not made for two,
but Al0n's natural ingenuity suggested
a seat device that enabled Nellie TO
join him In a merry rifle once in
while. Returning home Mt ten o'clock
evenings was, however, lonely task.
The road was rutty and winding and
Alan had suffered number of break.
downs.
I've struck a new scheme, Nellie"
he announced one evening. when his
fiaucee had expressed concern as TO
the dark and uncertain road after
heavy rain, Tuesday | adopted q
new course"
"Yes?" smiled Nellie lnQuirlngly.
81 took the railroad"
"Oh, Alan," exclaimed the sollcltOus
Nellie, quick pillor coming into her
face, you frighten me. The danger"
Now don't go worrying, dear"
laughed her lover. Between the dou-
BILE tracks Is a slx-fOOt cnder path as
level as floor. The aCetylene lamp
IN front throws ray fifty feet ahead
and the rear red lantern is so bright
II shows q mile down the track"
"Yes, 1, know, but there are the
curves"
~ know them all and the time of the
TRIMS" responded Alan lightly. "Just
thInk--it cuts off a mile and half
in distance and l am home and in bed
thirty minutes after leave here"
well, do he careful" pleaded Nellie,
ana after that when she went to the
door TO bid her lover good night she
would linger and watch the red light
twist In and out along the railroad I'M
iii rise and curve shut 1t out from
sight.
II have received letter from a
friend In the city telling me he can
get me position where can earn
double what | do In Leesburg," said
Alan little later
"Oh, Alan, surely you wouldn't think
of going away from me-" exclaimed
Nellie piteOusly.
"That Is right, I wouldn't" replied
Alan quickly. II am glad you look
at 1t that way. OF course the new
position would mean that probably We
could get married In two years, where
as it will take four with my present
earnings to start US out In life, even
on a modest scale. It's worth the sac
rl1ce to be near you, though dear, and
we will wait patiently"
"Yes, and you may do better right |
here at hOme,' said Nellie hopefully. |
"a change in fortune may come when |
you least expect IT,"
Which It did, and Alan Frlsbic new
er thereafter forgot the night and the
event that made Of him hero In the
eyes Of the community and brought
him hero's reward.
1t was a misty night with occasion.
al dasheS of rain, and as he reached |
the roadbed level Alan put on. full
speed. He had gone nearly third of
the distance to the town when he |
slowed up in excitement and dlsmay.
His light showed ly!rg across the track
two freight cars half on, half off the
rails and jammed one into the other.
In an instant Alan reasoned out what
had happened. A Wild freight had
gone east just as he left the Dwight
home. 1t had evidently swung loose
the two rear cars and had gone on
without missing them. There wassthe
regular west passenger due In about
thirty minutes. III five, Alan knew he
could reach the station at Leesburg
and report the menaclng obstruction.
he drove ahead at full
speed, turned a curve and put on
brakes with a Wild thrill. The head.
light of locomotive showed less than
five hundred yards away. He COM
that II must be an extra
passenger. So abruptly had he stopped
the bicycle, that Its wheel turned
against the rail, the machine fell fiat
and he was thrown sideways down the
and into water and mud
up to his waist,
Alan was half stunned, but he caught
the echoes Of shrill whistle blast
The train had passed over his bic, lie,
delnOllshing II, but 1t had
stopped before reaching the wreck,
He could make that out, and when he
had clambered up the side of the epi.
bankment he found himself in the
midst of a crowd discussing the trag.
edy they had escaped in time, saving
a tralnldnd Of excursionlsts.
Alan presented sorry spectacle 10
:lls dripping garments, but welcome
one when the train crew learned hlt
story of the adventure OF the hour.
I'VE caught sight of your red bicycle
lamp ahead Just In time" announced
the engineer. "Feared something was
wrong. l reckon your bicycle is a