The Monmouth inquirer., 1923-07-19

on b linei Why, thought 1t waa
only a small enginel'
SO she is; only a tank engine,
says Tom; not a tender engine
What's a tender engineer asked
Phoebe, looking straight at Tom I
could see her plain. Is it a softer
or smaller kind?'
tender engine has a tender
its attached to it. you know kind
of marriage, Miss Phoebe
OH says she. / didn't know
that engines married. Tender is a
funny word to use, isn't it?'
Don't you like tender things2'
asked Tom. coming round to her
quietly.
'Oh, yes; meat. for instance! I
like tender meat. says she.
Would you like to get on the
engineer says he. You can get up
If l help you.
Isn't 1t dangerous? It won't
blow up, viii it, asked Phoebe.
Not it; why it's hardly in steam
yet. My mate won't be here for an
hour, or SO. There you are, he con-
tinued, as he handed her up. You
look lovely on the Firefy. and let
me tell you, l wish you were my
mate, Phoebep
"'Oh, but l couldn't drive the n
gine!' she said. I would be no use
as your nate
PERHAPS not on the engine
says Tom; but in the house-my
house
oh, what do you mean, Mr..
Deane? You can't want an engine
driver at home!'
No, but I'd like a mate there;
don't you understand me. my lass?
I'm in love with you, and if ye'd
only come
She didn't say anything for a
minute, and I smoked my pipe, sir.
not liking to go out. and thinking
it best TO keep out of sight. At
length she said
But I'm going away with Mrs.
Sorrens and the colonel in a couple
of days.!
Going awayi' exclaimed Tom,
In a changed voice. is it for long7.
- don't know. Maybe all win
ter
'Ah, well, then it's no use!' he
said. quite depressed. You can't dc
it; but IL you care for me at ali
Then, sir, l couldn't hear any
more; and peeping out just saw
Tom with his arm around her, whis-
pering in her ear. They didn't no.
tice me, and so | slipped out of the
shed like a lamb.
in a few minutes-say ten or so
Phoebe passed me on the plat
form, and nodded to me with a hap
Ply face. So it's all settled. thinks I.
Good afternoon, miss says |.
You're looking splendid to-day. But
you'll excuse me, Miss Phoebe.
there's g couple of dark smudges on
your cheek. The right cheek it is.
Let me help
But she blushed red as the tail
lamps OF the express, and went on
with a danger signal in each cheek
flaming red, and rubbing her face
like a cat as she walked.
$50. ho!' thinks I. Toms found
his mate, then. Well. be deserves
her
I'm a few days the colonel, his
wife. and Phoebe, looking very sad
like, left home. Tom was on the en-
CINE. but couldn't hardly have a
word with her. They parted at the
junction yonder. sir, and Tom be-
came quiet. He picked up a bit
afterwards, but time went on, and
he heard less and less Of Phoebe.
She's forgot me, he says to me
one day about Christmas time. But
/ s'pose it's only natural. Some for
eign party has taken her fancy, l
dare say
What was Ellen doing round
here. this morning. Fom?' says |
suddenly.
she came to tell me no letter
has arrived. that's all. She's a good
sort is Nellie. A g%ood-natured girl
as ever stepped
She can't touch Phoebe, man.,
says 1.
No. but she's a fine, handsome
girl, and as kind as she can be. She's
a dazzleri'
Look here, Tom. If I was you
I'd give up dazzlers. They're blind
ing your eyes
Rubbish says he. Nell is as
good as gold
'Oh, it's come to Nell. is it?'
says 1. Then I see your game. Tom
Deane, mind what you're about.
Write to Phoebe, and ask her to
reply soon. Get 1t fixed with her
~ will, I'll write this very day.
says he. And he did.
Three days after | saw Ellen
again, in the field walking with Tom,
very quiet, and four days later she
came down with q letter In her
hand. Tom was on the engine sid
ing, and / strolled up on purpose.
not wishing Phoebe to be wronged.
We'll, Nellie. my girl, how's