Page:Cy Warman--The express messenger and other tales of the rail.djvu/198

186 can't have all been killed; there must be some one left to tell the tale."

He walked to the window and looked out over the coach yards, and saw the pale girl pacing the platform, waiting for a train to carry her back to her home. Her heart was heavy with dread of the collision, and at thought of returning to her widowed mother with the news of her failure to secure work. The superintendent tapped upon the window with a switch-key, and, when she looked up, beckoned her to him. She shook her head, for she did not wish to face the train-master, now that he had probably found out his awful mistake; but when the official scowled and jerked his head round in the direction of the stairway that led to the despatcher's office, she went to him.

"Take that seat," said the superintendent, pointing to an empty chair at the despatcher's desk. She did as he had told her, and waited tremblingly for the wire to give her something to do.

Mr. Creamer, the first trick man, who had been sent away, having heard of the sudden illness of the train-master, now came hurriedly