Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-03-15

CHAPTER VII.

When the train loaded with Cardi-
gan logs crawled in on the main track
and stopped at the log-landing in
Pennington's camp, the locomotive
uncoupled and backed in on the sid
Ing for the purpose of kicking the
caboose, In which Shirley and Colonel
Pennington had ridden to the woods,
out onto the main line again--where,
owing to a slight downhill grade, the
caboose controlled by the brakeman
could coast gently forward and he
hooked onto the end Of the log train
for the return journey to Sequoia.
Turnout the afternoon Shirley, fol-
lowing the battle royal between
Bryce and Pennington retainers, had
sat dismally In the caboose. She was
prey to many conflicting emotions;
but having had what her sex term "a
good cry" she had to great extent
recovered her customary poise--and
was busily specializing on the rapi-
dtty with which she could leave Sc
quota and forget she, had ever met
Bryce Cardigan--when the log train
rumbled into the landing and the last
Of the long string Of trucks came to
stop directly opposite the caboose.
Shirley happened to be looking thru
the grinny caboose window at that
moment. On the top log Of the load
the object Of her unhappy specula-
tons was seated. apparently quite
oblivious Of the fact that he was back
once moro, In the haunts Of his enc
mics, aitho knowledge that tho
double-bitted axe he had 50 uncere-
moniously borrowed of Colonel Pen
nington was driven deep into the log
beside him with the haft convenient
to his hand. probably had much to do
with Bryce's air of detached indif-
ference.
Shirley told herself that should he
move, should he show the slightest
disposition to raise his head and bring
his eyes on q level with hers, she
would dodge away from the window
In time to escape his scrutiny.
She reckoned without the engine.
With q smart bump It struck the ca
boose and shunted 1t briskly up the
siding; at the sound Of the impact
Bryce raised his troubled glance just
In time to sec Shirley's body, yield
ing to the shock, sway into full view
at the window.
With difficulty he suppressed a
grin. TIL bet my immortal soul she
was peekins at me-" he soliloquized.
"Confound the luckl Another meet
ing this afternoon would be embar-
RAISING" Tactfully he resumed his
study Of his fee, not even looking
up when the caboose. after gaining
the main track, slid gently down the
slight grade and was coupled to the
rear logging truck. He heard the
engineer shout to the brakeman-who
had ridden down from the head OF
the train to unlock the siding switch
and couple the caboose--to hurry up,
lock the switch, and get back aboard
the engine.
Can't get this DANCED key to turn
In the lock-" the brakeman shouted
presently. Locks rusty, and some
things gone bust inside"
Minutes passed. Bryce's assumed
abstraction became real. for he had
many matters to occupy his busy
brain, and 1t was impossible for him
to sit idle without adverting to some
OF them. Presently he was subcon-
sciously aware that the train was
moving. gently forward: almost i'm
mediately 1t seemed to him, the long
string Of trucks had gathered their
customary speed; and then suddenly
1t dawned upon Bryce that the train
had started off without q single Jerk
--and that it was gathering Roadway
rapidly.
He looked afead--and his hair
grew creepy at the roots. There was
no locomotive attached to the train .
1t was running away down a two
per cent grade, and because Of the
tremendous weight Of the train, II
was gathering momentum at fear
full rate.
The reason for the runaway dawn
ed on Bryce instantly. The road, be-
ing privately owned, was like most
logging roads, NEGLECTED as to road
bed and rolling stock; also 1t was UNI
dermanned. and the brakeman, who
also acted as switchman, had failed
to set the hand brakes on the lead
Ing truck after the engineer, had
locked the airbrakes. AS result,
during the five or six minutes re-
-.