Danger Signals | Page 6

track on a couple of rails. There was one large, rough-board house,
where they served rough-and-ready grub and let rooms. The latter were
stalls, the partitions being only about seven feet high. It was cold and
bleak, but right glad we were to get there and get a warm supper.
Everything was rough, but the Kid seemed to enjoy the novelty. After
supper I asked the landlord if he could fix us for the night.
"'I can jest fix ye, and no more,' said he; 'I have just one room left.
Ye's'll have to double up; but this is the kind o' weather for that; it'll be
warmer.'
"The Kid objected, but the landlord bluffed him--didn't have any other
room--and he added: 'If I was your pardner there, I'd kick ye down to
the foot, such a cold strip of bacon as ye must be.'
"About nine o'clock the Kid slipped out, and not coming in for an hour,
I went to look for him. As I went toward the engine, I met the
watchman:
"'Phy don't that fireman o' yourn sleep in the house or on the caboose
floor such a night as this? He'll freeze up there in that cab wid no
blankets at all; but when I tould him that, he politely informed meself
that he'd knowed men to git rich mindin' their own biz. He's a sassy slip
of a Yankee.'
"I climbed up on the big consolidation, and, lighting my torch, looked
over the boiler-head at the Kid. He was lying on a board on the seat,
with his overcoat for a covering and an arm-rest for a pillow.
"'What's the matter with you, Kid?' I asked. 'What are you doing
freezing here when we can both be comfortable and warm in the house?
Are you ashamed or afraid to sleep with me? I don't like this for a cent.'

"'Hope you won't be mad with me, Jim, but I won't sleep with any one;
there now!'
"'You're either a fool or crazy,' said I. 'Why, you will half freeze here. I
want some explanation of such a trick as this.'
"The Kid sat up, looked at me soberly for a few seconds, reached up
and unhooked his door, and said:
"'Come over and sit down, Jim, and I'll tell you something.'
"I blew out the torch and went over, half mad. As I hooked the door to
keep out the sharp wind I thought I heard a sob, and I took the Kid's
head in my hands and turned his face to the moonlight. There were big
tears in the corner of each tightly closed eye.
"'Don't feel bad, Kid,' said I. 'I'm sure there's some reason keeps you at
such tricks as this; but tell me all your trouble--it's imaginary, I know.'
"There was a tremor in the Kid's voice as he took my hand and said,
'We are friends, Jim; ain't we?'
"'Why, of course,' said I.
"'I have depended on your friendship and kindness and manhood, Jim.
It has never failed me yet, and it won't now, I know. I have a secret, Jim,
and it gnaws to be out one day, and hides itself the next. Many and
many a time I have been on the point of confessing to you, but
something held me back. I was afraid you would not let me stay with
you, if you knew--'
"'Why, you ain't killed any one, Kid?' I asked, for I thought he was
exaggerating his trouble.
"'No--yes, I did, too--I killed my sister.'
"I recoiled, hurt, shocked. 'You--'
"'Yes, Jim, there is no such person to be found as my sister,

Georgiana--for I am she!''
"'You! Why, Kid, you're crazy!'
"'No, I'm not. Listen, Jim, and I will explain.'
"'My father was always sorry I was not a boy. Taught me boyish tricks,
and made me learn drawing. I longed for the life on a locomotive--I
loved it, read about it, thought of it, and prayed to be transformed into
something that could go out on the road. My heart went out to you early
in our acquaintance, and one day the thought to get started as a fireman
with you shot into my brain and was acted upon at once. After the first
move there was no going back, and I have acted my part well; I have
even been a good fireman. I am strong, healthy, and happy when on the
road with you. I love the life, hard as it is, and can't think of giving it up,
and--and you, Jim.'
"And then she broke down, and cried as only a woman can.
"I took both her hands in mine and kissed her--think of kissing your
fireman on the engine--and told her that we could be happy yet.