“Wait a minute,” he said, hoarsely4, and Mary, reading the suffering in his eyes, put her hand quickly upon his arm.
“How is he?”
“I don’t know yet. The doctor’s just finishin’ with him.”
“A nice guardeen I am, ain’t I?” he asked, bitterly. “Oh, I could go an’ throw myself under the wheels of that engine there!”
“Don’t, Jack!” protested Mary, quickly. “Don’t take it so. Whatever happened wasn’t your fault.”
“Yes, it was! I stood by like a dumb beast an’ let Hummel—Kin7 ye ever forgive me, Mamie? Oh, but I’m shamed t’ look ye in the eyes!”
“Forgive you, dad?” cried the girl, her heart smitten8 as she looked at him. “Why, dad, there’s nothing to forgive. I know you did your best.”
“Not like Reddy Magraw,” said Jack, the tears streaming down his face. “Not like Reddy Magraw. Do you know what he did—he saw that varmint fumblin’ at his pocket, an’ he must have guessed what was comin’—I was lookin’, too, but I never thought of nothin’ like that—an’ Reddy jumped fer him an’ grabbed him—an’ jest then the bomb went off—”
“He’s dead, ain’t he, Jack?” asked Mary.
“Yes,” said Jack, with a hoarse5 sob, “an’ so’s Reddy Magraw—an’ if our boy lives, it’ll be because of Reddy, not because o’ me. That’s what it makes me sick t’ think of!”
“No,” said Jack. “You’ll have t’ tell her. I couldn’t to save my soul.”
“I’ll tell her,” said Mary, quietly. “She’ll be proud when she knows.”
“Come in,” he said softly. “You can see him now; and it’s all right.”
“You mean he ain’t dead?” asked Jack.
“No, nor going to die. Is this Mamie?” he added, turning to the young woman.
“Yes,” she answered.
“He’s been asking for you. He mustn’t be excited,” he added, looking at the others. “Is it necessary that you see him?”
“No,” she said, steadily12. “We’ll jest excite him. You go, Mamie. Jack’ll wait fer ye,” and she held Jack by the hand until Mamie had entered and the door had closed behind her.
“It’s her place, not mine,” she said. “An’ now I’ll go over t’ the Magraws.”
“Mary,” said Jack, hoarsely, and put his arm around her, “you’re the bravest little woman I iver knew. I’m proud of ye.”
But Mary felt anything but brave as, in the gray light of the dawn, she slowly crossed the tracks and mounted the path to the door of the little house. For, after all, what could she say to lighten the force of the blow? What could anyone say? Suppose it was some one else coming to tell her of Jack? She caught her breath sharply—
And then she was conscious that the door was open and when she looked up, she saw Mrs. Magraw standing there and gazing down at her, a strange light in her eyes.
“Come in,” she said, and led the way into the little parlour, from which, during the night, she had watched the flames across the yards. “I knowed ye’d come,” she added. “I knowed ye’d want t’ be the one t’ tell me—an’ I thank ye, Mary Welsh.”
“You—you know?” gasped Mary, staring at her. “Somebody’s told you?”
“No, nobody’s told me; but I know. I knowed when I saw him goin’ away that he was niver comin’ back.”
“An’ you let him go?”
“Yes, I sent him.”
“Sent him?”
“T’ guard the boy? Did he guard him?”
And Mary Welsh flung herself upon her knees before the other woman and buried her face in her lap.
“He did!” she said, thickly. “With his life.”
Mr. Schofield, relieved of the stress of duty at Cincinnati, arrived at Wadsworth on the early train next day, and at once took charge of the situation. There was much to do. The whole train-service of the road had to be reorganized, the ravelled ends gathered up again, the freight-house rebuilt, traffic provided for; and for four days and nights he thought of nothing else. Then, the first strain past, he put on his hat one afternoon, and started back over the yards to a little house which stood high on an embankment facing them.
He climbed the steep path, and paused for a moment to look down over the yards before knocking at the door. His eyes gleamed with pride as he watched the busy engines, the assembled cars, the evidences of orderly and busy life.
Then he turned and knocked. An Irish woman well past middle-age, and with hair snowy white, opened the door.
“Mrs. Magraw?” asked the visitor.
“Yis, sir.”
“My name’s Schofield.”
“I know ye, sir,” said Mrs. Magraw, quietly. “This ain’t the first toime ye’ve been to see me.”
“No—but that was a good many years ago. If you don’t mind, I’ll sit down here on the porch. I want to talk to you.”
“All right, sir,” said Mrs. Magraw, and tried to dust off the bench, but Mr. Schofield was too quick for her.
“I’ve heard how your husband died,” he began gently, “and I want to say this: no man ever died a nobler death.”
“I’m proud of him, sir,” said Mrs. Magraw, her eyes filling with tears. “I’m prouder of him than I kin say.”
“We’re all proud of him. I’ve been proud of him for many years. It isn’t the first time he’s proved the stuff he was made of.”
Mrs. Magraw nodded.
“But there’s no use for me to tell you that,” went on the superintendent13. “You knew him better than I did. Now here’s what I’ve come to say. The road has pensioned you for life. You will receive a check every month for thirty dollars.”
“Thirty dollars!” echoed Mrs. Magraw. “Why, sir,—”
“I know it isn’t very much—”
“Very much! It’s all the difference between starvin’ an’ livin’, sir.”
“I’m glad of that. How old is your oldest boy?”
“Thirteen, sir.”
“What do you want him to be?”
“Well, sir, he seems to have a taste fer mechanics.”
“All right; there’s a job waiting for him, and for all the other boys when they’re old enough. The road wants to make life just as easy for you as it can, Mrs. Magraw; and even at that, it feels that it has done mighty14 little—so little that I was almost ashamed to come here to-day and tell you. It’s not in any sense intended as a recompense—don’t think it.”
“I understand, sir,” said Mrs. Magraw, and there was in her face a sweet dignity. “An’ I’ve had my recompense—with the flowers an’ the men at the funeral—the shop-men, sir, an’ the brotherhood—stretchin’ clear out t’ the street yonder, an’ cryin’, sir, as if ’twas their own brother—”
She stopped, her eyes gleaming.
“He was the brother of every one of us,” he said; and added, soberly, “I wish I was as good a man!”
Mrs. Magraw watched him as he crossed the yards; watched him till a corner of the round-house hid him from view; then she turned slowly back into the house, her face shining.
“Oh, Reddy,” she said hoarsely to herself; “it’s a proud woman I am this day; proud fer ye—proud fer ye—oh, an’ heart-broken, too.”
The next afternoon, Mr. Schofield called up Jack Welsh’s residence.
“How’s Allan getting along?” he asked of the woman’s voice which answered the phone.
“He’s gittin’ along as well as could be expected.”
“Is he able to sit up?”
“Yes, sir; he sets up a little every day.”
“This is Schofield talking. I wonder if I could see him this afternoon?”
“Yes, sir; I guess so,” answered the voice, but without enthusiasm.
“Well, tell him I’ll be down in about an hour—and if he can’t see me yet awhile, let me know.
“All right, sir.”
“It’s Mister Schofield wantin’ to see you,” Mary announced to Allan, three minutes later. “Says he’ll be here in an hour. Hadn’t I better tell him you ain’t able?”
“Oh, I guess I’m able,” said Allan, smiling up at her.
He was lying back in a great chair, with Mamie beside him.
“Well, it’s time he was askin’ after ye.”
“He’s been pretty busy, I suspect.”
Mary snorted.
“A good excuse! An’ I know what he’s comin’ fer.”
“What?” asked Allan, smiling broadly.
“He’ll be wantin’ to know when you’re comin’ back to work.”
“And I’ll tell him Monday.”
“Monday, indeed,” cried Mary and Mamie both.
“Why, I’m all right again,” Allan protested. “A little shaky and scary, but I’ll get over that.”
“Well, we’ll see about it,” said Mamie, in a tone which told that she was far from being convinced.
Mrs. Welsh went about her household work, leaving the two together, and presently there came the expected knock at the door.
But when she opened it, it was not Mr. Schofield alone who stood there. With him was a man with blue eyes and light hair and flowing blonde moustache whom Mrs. Welsh had never seen before.
“How do you do, Mrs. Welsh,” said Mr. Schofield, shaking hands with her. “This is Mr. Round,” he added, and Mr. Round also shook hands. “Can we see the invalid15?”
“Ye-yes, sir,” stammered16 Mary, more overwhelmed than she had ever been in her life. “Right up these stairs, sir.”
He started and flushed when he saw who Mr. Schofield’s companion was.
“No,” said Mr. Schofield, smiling at Mrs. Welsh, “I didn’t come this time to ask you when you’re coming back to work; but to say good-bye.”
“Good-bye?” echoed Allan. “You’re not going away?”
“He’s got too big for us,” said Mr. Round. “I’ve been afraid of it for a long time. Let me introduce you to the new general superintendent of the Rock Island.”
“What!” cried Allan, his face beaming. “Oh, but I’m glad!” and he held out his hand eagerly. “Sorry, too,” he added. “You’ve been one of the best friends I ever had.”
“And always will be,” said Mr. Schofield heartily18. “We’re all proud of you, Allan. Let me see, how old are you?”
“Twenty-seven.”
“Rather young for train master,” said Mr. Round, looking at him quizzically.
“Train master?” Allan echoed, suddenly white.
“Though we’ll try you, anyway,” and Mr. Round smiled broadly. “That is, if you accept.”
“Why,” stammered Allan, “I can’t—I don’t—”
“Don’t try. There’s no hurry, either. You know what I said to you about a vacation?”
“Yes,” said Allan.
“Is this the young lady?” asked Mr. Round, looking at Mamie approvingly.
“Yes,” said Allan. “Mamie—Miss Welsh.”
“I congratulate you, my dear,” said Mr. Round, shaking her kindly21 by the hand. “I’ve heard of that exploit of yours. The road is your debtor22 more than I can say. I hate to think what would have happened if it hadn’t been for you.”
“I take the credit of this match,” added Mr. Schofield, laughing. “I told Allan it was the only proper thing to do.”
“I’d already arrived at the same conclusion,” said Allan, “and we’d just settled it when you called up.”
“Well,” said Mr. Round, with another glance at Mamie’s rosy23 face, “I think you’re to be congratulated too, Allan. You seem to have a knack24 of falling on your feet. When is it to take place?”
“Next month,” answered Allan, boldly, without even glancing at Mamie.
That young lady opened her lips and stared at him in astonishment25, but closed them again without speaking.
“Where are you going for the honeymoon?”
“Have you thought of California?”
“Of California? No, nor of the moon,” answered Allan, with a laugh. “Palm Beach, maybe, if we can get transportation.”
“Oh, I guess you can,” said Mr. Round, with a little laugh. “But I’m sorry you hadn’t thought of California. You see, when you spoke27 of the honeymoon, I thought a little trip through the west would be just the thing, so I pulled a few wires, and here,” he put his hand in his pocket and brought out a thick envelope, “is the result. What shall I do with it?”
“What is it?” asked Allan and Mamie in the same breath.
“An order from the President to place my private car at your disposal for a month—transportation over the Southern Pacific going and the Northern Pacific returning—what do you say, children?”
What could they say!
“Mind you ask me to the wedding,” he said, and caught up his hat. “Come on, Schofield. We’re in the way.”
“How do you know I’m going to marry you next month?” demanded Mamie.
“I know you are—you can’t refuse—it might send me into a decline.”
“I knew you wouldn’t!” laughed Allan.
Mamie laughed too, and kissed him.
“Don’t you feel like a fairy god-child?” she asked. “I do.”
“What day is it?” he asked, suddenly.
“The fifteenth.”
“Then to-morrow’s Betty Heywood’s wedding—and I can’t be there—I haven’t even sent a gift. What will she think of me?”
“Write and tell her,” suggested Mamie, and Allan did—told her more, perhaps, than Mamie intended he should; and the answer came promptly31 two days later.
“Dear Allan,” it ran, “Your letter was the dearest wedding gift of all; to know that you had found the right girl and that you are happy was just the one thing needed to give the crowning touch to my own happiness. So you see that I was right! I’ve never doubted it for an instant, but just the same I’m glad it’s proved. I’m scribbling32 this at the last moment, for your letter just came; there’s the wedding march—I must go. I’m very, very happy, Allan, and I suppose that this is the last time I shall ever sign myself
Betty Heywood.”
Allan looked up from the letter, his eyes shining.
“She’s a dear girl,” he said.
“Yes,” agreed Mamie, a little doubtfully.
“But not the dearest,” added Allan smiling. “Come here. Look what a beautiful sunset. Look at those crimson clouds along the horizon.”
“Who is the dearest?” asked Mamie, refusing to be led aside from the question under discussion. “Can’t you guess?”
“I’m not good at guessing.”
“It’s the same one I jerked from in front of an engine years and years ago; the same one I used to do sums for; the same one who saved my life just the other day. Now can you guess?”
“Yes,” said Mamie, dimpling and snuggling close to him; “yes, I think I can!”
And so we leave them.
What does the future hold? For one thing, be sure that it holds happiness. Be sure, too, that the young train master will not always be merely that. He can afford to wait—to grow and broaden, to learn his business thoroughly33; but the time will come when he will step up and up. Yet, however high he climbs, those first years, whose history we know, will be a sweet and ever-present memory, as years of trial always are when one has emerged from them triumphant34.
THE END.
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1
pallid
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| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
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2
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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triangular
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| adj.三角（形）的，三者间的 | |
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hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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6
sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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7
kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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smitten
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| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
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9
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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10
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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11
gulped
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| v.狼吞虎咽地吃，吞咽( gulp的过去式和过去分词 )；大口地吸（气）；哽住 | |
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12
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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13
superintendent
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| n.监督人，主管，总监；(英国)警务长 | |
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14
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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16
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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18
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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19
honeymoon
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| n.蜜月（假期）；vi.度蜜月 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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debtor
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| n.借方，债务人 | |
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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24
knack
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| n.诀窍，做事情的灵巧的，便利的方法 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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28
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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29
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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30
sniffed
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| v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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scribbling
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| n.乱涂[写]胡[乱]写的文章[作品]v.潦草的书写( scribble的现在分词 )；乱画；草草地写；匆匆记下 | |
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33
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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34
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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