Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 571 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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ose together, and whatever was to be done «ust be done quickly or it would be too late, How was it to terminate? CHAPTER V. A HUMAN SKELETON, AtR-LINE LUKE was now as coolas a man of steel, He saw that he had calculated his distance well, and had every hope of being able to carry out his plan. In running away from tke oncoming engine he did not try to outran it, but on the contrary allowed it to gain upon him, And in a very short time it was not more than a length away. Then the young engineer increased his speed a little and let it gain more wt § Soon then the runaway struck his engine, but with such slight force that the shock was scarce- ly perceptible, and then the young engineer shut off steam and reversed to bring both engines to a stop. Running at such speed as they had been, the station of West Plain was now at hand, and as Air-Line Luke swept by with the two engines together, those on the platform gave him a hearty cheer. But the danger was not yet over, for the Ex- press Freight was lying only a short distance above the station, and unless Luke could stop there was a good chance for a collision, The engineer of the Freight, however, did a wise thing at this point in the game, for as soon as he learned from the fireman who had flagged att what was the matter, he started to back his rain, Air-Line Luke was losing no time in his efforts to stop, for he fully realized the second danger. As soon as his own engine was reversed he clambered back over the tank and on to the pilot of the runaway, and then makiug his way to the cab with all haste, shut off the steam. This done, the game was in his own hands, and in a moment more the engines stopped. But they were no socner stopped than they began to run the other way, for his own engine was using steam. This was to be expected, and Luke got back again to his own cab, and with both engines now under control, ran back to the station. And then the cheer that greeted him was one of which he might well feel proud, All the men around the station and yard were on the plat- form, and as soon as he stopped, they were all eager to grasp his hand. ‘Yon did that well,” the conductor compli- mented, ‘and Iam proud of you.” ‘**T feel rather proud of it myself,” Luke con- fessed. And it was something that he might feel proud of. He had done a clever piece of work. The operator ran at once into his office to re- port that everything was safe, and found that the dispatcher was calling him with all the vim he could command. tS og operator answered, and the dispatcher said: ** Do you see that runaway engine?” ‘* She is here,” the operator answered. - “How bad is the wreck?” was the next ques- ion. _ “There is no wreck at all,” said the operator; ** Air-Line Luke stopped her without a scratch.” Explanation followed, and Luke received a great compliment from headquarters, For his first trip with an engine of his own he had made it a red-letter event in his railroad career. When the excitement was all over the runa- Way engine was pul away and taken care of, and the Freight pulled up tothe station, And then the whole affair Was gone over in detail among the men, The runaway had been stand- ing on the main track at the next station west— Clayton—and the yard engine, in drilliag out a train, had ruu into it with force enough to open the throttle and start her off. And then came the great scare, and only for Air-Line Luke there would undoubtedly have been a big wreck with, no doubt, loss of life, ve If you can do as well with that ghost down there at the Warland River bridge, my boy,” said the engineer of the Freight west, as “he mia to his engine, ‘‘you will do mighty ell, ‘** Why, have you seen th ing again?” Luke abiharite’. you seen that thing ag ** Have I?” the engineer exclaimed; “‘ I should that Ihave, And I would like toknow what it is and what it means.” aay aoe sO woud te said Luke. “If I yah 6 pleasure of seeing it again ll try an raako its acquaintance” ee cr» < c : ‘* Well, I think you will have the chance, for the thing seems determined to show itself.” As soon as their work at West Plain was done, the signal was given to goon, and Air- Line Luke pulled the throttle and the train started. Shortly after starting the conductor of the train and one of the brakemen came over to the engine. They wanted to see the ghost at the bridge. The story of the ghost was now known from one end of the road to the other; and on every train that passed, all the trainmen -vere on the lookout to see it. But it did not appear to every train, There were several who had watched for it in pass- ing that point, but bad failed to see anything of ‘Well, Luke,” was the conductor’s greeting, are, you prepared for the spook to appear to ou? * Yes, let it come,” was the young engineer’s response, ‘‘Itseems to be a harmless sort of thing, and I guess [ can stand seeing it once in a while,” ‘** Do you believe in ghosts?” ** Not enough to spoil my sleep.” ** What do you think it is then?” ‘* Give it up.” ‘*Then you admit that it is something that you do not understand?” ‘*Oh! I admit that, of course; but that does not make me think that it is anything super- natural.” ** Well, what is your honest opinion about it?” ‘* ] think it is a-trick of some kind, and that it will be found out before a great while.” ‘*T can’t say that I agree with you,” declared the conductor. ‘‘I have seen some strange things in my time, and I rather do believe in apparitions. I know that I told Doc Howard on the last trip I thought he imagined it, but at the saine time t felt mighty serious about it.” . + nip, then, what do you think it is?’ Luke asked. “That [cannot say. I think, though, that it is a warning cf some kind, I remember just be- fore the big accident at Henderson last summer, there was a peculiar red light seen at the point where the accident happened, for several nights in succession,” ‘* And could no one explain what it was?” ‘No. It remains a mystery to this day. One thing is certain, however, it was nevers een after the accident happened.” ‘* Well,” Luke commented, *‘ I do not to know anything about it, but I am no believer in such forewarnings or signs. If it is any such thing, I bope its intentions are good.” This created something of a laugh, and the subject was drop for the present. The train rolled on, and ere long it approached the place where the ghost had been seen. ‘* Now,” said the young engineer, ‘‘ prepare to see bis Majesty.” “Do not make light of it,” warned the con- ik = . ‘**He will make light of his own,” retorted Luke playfully, ‘ The face of the conductor was a study. His expression was one of fear and dread combined. ‘““Are you going to stop?” asked Harry the fireman, ‘“Nary a stop,” declared Luke, ‘‘ unless the conductor says so.” sed hg need not stop,” the conductor quick- ly added. ‘“* How would it do to take a crack at it with a revolver?” asked the brakeman, as he displayed a weapon. ‘ “Try itif you want to,” said Luke. “Allright. I believe I will.” ‘‘Say, the conductor suddenly suggested, ‘how would it do torun down slow, and so get a lag view of the thing than we can if we go fast ‘* Just as you say,” said Luke, ‘* Well, then, shut off and let her go slow.” The young engineer obeyed the instructions, and the speed of the train was lessehed imme- diately. | A few minutes more and it came out of the woods at the top of the hill, and began to de- scend toward the beeige. As the train descended the grade, the young engineer managed its speed well, and when half- way down, it was going but little faster than a man could walk. — And every eye was strained ahead to catch a glimpse of the expected thing of horror. : Presently the bluish light was seen, and then the excitement with those on board the engine, with perhaps the one exception of Air-Line Luke, was great. retend Air-Line Luke, the Engineer Detective, 5 As they approached the light it seemed to grow brighter and brighter, and then out of it rose the hideous specter. ‘**Great Peters!” gasped the conductor, “‘ there it is!” ** Yes, that is the gentleman,” calmly assented Luke, As for the fireman, he could not utter a word, and the brakeman evidently forgot all about his inten!ion to shoot at it. ‘*'Why don’t you shoot?’ asked Luke, as he saw him standing with his revolver all ready. ‘* Forgot it,” was the answer; “‘ but I'll try it now,” There was only a moment more to spare, for the train was almost upcn the spot now, so the brakeman rdised his weapon and fired. But, there was nothing to show that the bullet took effect. The ghost stood still, and it was plain that the bullet had missed, or else the ghost was proof against such things. A moment later it was right at the pilot of the engine; then it threw up its arms, as though inviting death, and the next instant it disap- peared under the wheels, And at the same instant came the most ap- palling sight of all. Beuveath the white robe or gown that clothed it were seen the bare and gleaming bones of a human skeleton. ‘*Go on!” cried the conductor, fairly chilled at the sight, “for the love of goodness go on! I will never run another train over this road until I am sure that evil thing is laid.” ‘It is certainly something of a mystery,” de clared Luke, ‘‘and it is enough to scare almost any one. I would give much to understand it,” The train went on, and reached its destination without any mishap of any sort. And other trains on the road that same night saw the spec- ter, and there were others besides the con- ductor of the Express Freight who refused to go over the road again, CHAPTER VI. OLD FRIENDS MEET. A WEEK passed by. By this time the specter at the Warland River bridge was the talk of the whole line. Several of the more superstitious ones had left the road, and love nor poemney could hire any one to visit the place after dark. Even the section-men, in broad daylight, avoided that part of the line, and would not stop their hand-cars within a quarter of a mile of the spot. At first the officers of the road took but little notice of the matter, but when they found that their men were in earnest, and that there must be something in the story, they offereda reward to any one who would solve the mystery. But no one seemed anxious to earn the reward. Most of those who had seen the horrible specter had a wholesome dread of it, and those who had not seen it, seemed to take but little stock in the story, even though the evidence presented was irrefutable. One morning, about a week after his promo- tion, Air-Line Luke entered the office of the superintendent of the road at Marysville. ‘Ah! good-morning, Luke,” the superintend- ent exclaimed; * — have just got around, eh? Didn’t the dispatcher tell you that I wanted to see figs to thank you in person for that piece of work you did at West Plain the other night?” ** Yes, sir,” answered Luke, “ he told me, tut [I thought that would keep, I am here for an- otber purpose now,” ‘ Well, young man, let me thank you for that first. It was a good bit of expert railroading, and an undertaking that Sp wed a great degree Z, of cou . The company thanks you for it,” ‘‘Thaak you, sir,” said Luke, blushing like a school-boy. ‘“* And now, what can I do for you?” the super- intendent asked, : ‘*T would like to be relieved from duty for a trip or two.” the young engineer explained. ‘‘ Why, bow is that?” the superintendent de- manded ; “you have been running only a few days. “IT know that, sir,” Luke admitted; “‘ but I want to try my hand at ‘laying’ the ghost at the Warland River bridge.” The superintendent laughed. “So you, too, have the ghost on the brain, have you?” he said. ‘‘ You know very well tbat there is something esa, § there,” declarea Luke, boldly, “for the rest as too many supporters to be doubted, And I am one of its strongest supporters, have seen the thing more than once, and a man ad INE AS ~ comicbooks.c