The Monmouth inquirer., 1923-07-19
Fireman
Deane
BY Henry Firth.
CHAPTER /. THE RIVALS.

My host and / were seated outside
my temporary Surrey house n ev-
ening, our eyes fixed upon the sunset,
which was glowing through the
browning trees. Across the land
scape sailed a light, white cloud of
steam, which fingered almost affec-
tionately, as it seemed to us, In the
soft autumnal air.
There's the fast express re-
marked my companion, whose regard
for his former business on the rail-
road had in no sense abated. Tom
Deane keeps his time right well!"
Yes; | have noticed that train
often" was my reply. But If Deane
can run to book-time, why do not
other men do so?"
Tom always was a steady fellow"
replied my companion; "and as for
runnin' to time, why, 1t depends on
many things and people-guard,
fireman, state o. the weather, and
that. But Deane was always steady.
Why, his marriage with Phoebe May
burn yonder was quite a novel TO
nance story. He was on the branch
line then as fireman, and the circum-
stances were much talked of. Maybe
you heard them, sir?"
I replied in the negative. MY pipe
was soothing, the evening was mild;
the time would suit the narrative.
SO | suggested that my host should
%aIl no fha inrfdonfc
fsThere's a deal goes on on the
railway which no one minds" re-
marked the old porter; 'and my ex-
perfence is that the railway world
is almost different from the rest O.
mankind, In a way, you understand.
Tom Deane's experiences could say
the same. You know which is Mr..
Mugsby's house. sir? The Den.
Well, it's near the branch line, you
know. Yes; very well. That's where
Tom Deane first saw his sweetheart,
as he was runnin'.
.'She was a lady's maid there
then, before MT. Mugsby's time, you
understand; and Tom used to see
her. A pretty, gentle creature she
was in those days, l mind her we'll.
Fair, and well-built, with a bright.
smiling face, and white skin; and
her hands small and plump, and
soft-like a lady's.
She did for Tom Deane when
one afternoon she waved her hand
to- him from the wall as he went
by. He was a handsome fellow, too,
and in his Sunday clothes looked
tip-top. You'd never have guessed
it was Tom.
well, there was a feet; a Rail-
way Feet-fate is it, sir? We gem
orally calls 1t feet. Any way, at
the fate for our orphanage, all
came as could. The. directors issued
cheap tickets and passes; every one
who could get off went with his mis-
sus, his children, or his sweetheart,
or by himself; and there was plenty
of fun and amusements OF the usual
sort.
II went, and Tom Joined me, but
l found him absent-like, and looking
around the merry-go-rounds and
such places.
you're expecting some one,
Tom says I; who is it?'
It's a young lady he replied
quietly looking shy.
Who is she. Tom?' I asked smil-
in.
81 don't know says he, SO l
can't tell ye.'
do you mean thai you don't
know the young woman, Tom?
Never spoke a word to her in
my life. That's straight he said.
4 don't know her name either; but
I'm just head over ears with her.
/ sent the tickets to the house on the
chance of her coming.
1--WE we're standing In front of one
Of the shows Just then-a waxwork
exhibition 1t was and his eyes Kept
roaming about in all directions, but
he was disappointed. l could see All
of a sudden his face changed as If
you'd lighted a gas lamp behind his
two eyes. He frightened up tre-
mendous. and catching hold OF me
/ was younger then-he says. in a
low voice.
There she is with her friend.
Come along now
He hurried me off, and walking
across, we cut into the girls tracks.
They were we'll behaved young wo-
men both; one In particular, though.
struck my fancies. Retiring. bash
full looking, but self-possessed. Oh,
yes; she'd have stood no nonsense
wouldn't Phoebe Mayburn.
There she is says Tom
why it's Phoebe Mayburn, Mrs
Colonel Screens W maid from
The DEM
The same. no doubt says he.
Who's the other one? She's dressed
out grand!'
"a lively mink. | doubt. says |.
She was handsome; darker and bold
er-iookin' than Phoebe. but respect
ahIn az Won nlaasp guessed who