Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 11, 1925 — page 136: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

290 _ She introduced Zeb and Jim to them, and most of them were strangers to the two railroad men. They went in and sat down in the big front room. Zeb listened to the conversation. It hinged about the changes going on around the railroad. Some of the older ones were opposed to renaming Ecclefechan. He heard one say: “ It’s a good old name, that carries the tang of home in it. Junc- tion City! Bah! Sounds like freight cars a smashing together.” Zeb turned to Itchy-Witchy. what do you think of it?” “Well, Zeb,” she answered, with a squeeze on his arm, “ if I’m to be a railroad man’s wife, Junction City suits me. It sounds carbangy enough, I guess.” He caught her by the hand as the preacher entered the door and led her towards him, whispering, “ Here’s the fellow that'll take the ‘if’ out of that.” A few minutes later they were married. There was a buzz of congratulations. Amid the confusion Itchy-Witchy disappeared and Zeb, watching anxiously, saw her returning to the room soon after dressed for travel. As he made his way towards her, her father stopped him. “Lad, be good to her. She’s all I have.” Zeb reached over and shook the old man’s hand. ‘ David, I—-I—” words failed him, but the look in his eyes gave the promise. He joined Itchy-Witchy at the door. There was throwing of rice as they hurried down the path together towards the station. The front end of Seventeen’s engine came into sight and the train drew up and came ' to a stop in front of the station with a ‘squeal of brakes. As the engine passed, Zeb automatically glanced up to see who was on the run to- day, but he never saw who was engineer. Itchy-Witchy turned towards him and Zeb momentarily forgot engines and engineers, -even the railroad, for the melting softness of those violet eyes drove the power to think away from him. As they went up the car steps a few old shoes thudded against the side of the coach. They found a seat and she waved good-by till the crowd at the station was hidden around the curve. Then she _ nestled ** Girlie, - ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. against Zeb’s shoulder, a look of content- ~ment and trust in her face. Jim came through carrying their suit- cases, set them down and, muttering “‘ omg up in the baggage car,” he left. They did not see him again till they stopped at the terminal. He helped them aboard the through train when they trans- ferred, stood around, silent and ill at ease till leaving time, and then with a “ Good luck to you, Zeb,” he held out his hand. They shook hands, these two men who had been fast friends for five years, who had been within an arm’s reach of death, who each owed the other a debt of grati- tude. A simple and sincere hand clasp, a smile in their faces, a word of well wishing on their lips, yet each had a little secret doubt in his heart. Zeb wondered how the woman he loved and had just married would react to Jim who, as he dropped Zeb’s hand, was think- ing, “ Lord, the old son of a gun! Wonder it he’ll give me the air now?” Each knew that a new relationship had begun, each wondered how it would end. * All aboard!” the conductor called. The porters picked up the stools; the vestibule doors were closing, yet Jim and Zeb stood. | The porter behind Zeb finally spoke, “Cap’n, we’re leavin’,”’ and as the car got into motion Zeb turned, climbed aboard. “ Good-by, Jim,” and ‘“‘ Good luck, Zeb.” Jim watched the train till it was out of sight, then slowly walked out on to the street and back to the restaurant, a forlorn feeling weighing him down. CHAPTER XVIII. JIM BROWN AGAIN. EN days later the newly-weds re- turned from their honeymoon. It was five o’clock in the morning when they got in, and Zeb engaged a room | at the hotel across from the depét. During their trip they had talked over their plans. Zeb was going to try for a run on the West End: There was a layover freight that made Ecclefechan every night and came back in the morning. He had decided to San ee com ‘ebook Ss)