crash, and all was still. Weak and breathless, Bert lay upon the ground, half stunned by a cruel blow caused by coming in contact with something as he surged forward against the car. He could hear the steady exhaust of the air pump on number 11 and see the headlight that seemed like a great eye watching him; each exhaust reminding him of a monster whose hot breath he could feel fan his cheek. He placed his hand to his head as if to satisfy himself that the moisture he felt was but imagination. Then he felt pain for the first time and with it felt himself sinking into unconsciousness. The crash had been heard and soon lanterns were coming toward the scene of the wreck. Kind men soon discovered Bert and lifted him tenderly from the ground. Almost at the same time Jerry came upon the scene on the step of the 77 which had come down in search of the car.

"Well, holy smoke! if it ain't the kid! And he's hurt, too. Look here, boys; this explains who threw number 10 switch and headed off the car of stone and kept it from hittin' number 11. He's a peach, he is. He's saved all our bacon."

"Except mine,' said Reddy Herron, whose cut it was to catch.

"Well, it's thirty days for me," said Jerry, "for I suppose they will hold me for cuttin' her off without a brake on her, but that's all right so that she didn't hit number 11, for she would have plowed right into the side of the coaches."

When Bert returned to consciousness he was lying in a bed of snowywhiteness while a sweet face stood over him. "Where am I?" he asked. "Who are you?"

"You are in the hospital; I am your nurse," she said. "You were hurt last night in a wreck, but it is nothing serious; you will soon be out again. I want you to sleep now; then you may talk."

Bert resigned himself, and after a little effort fell asleep, thinking of the homelike surroundings he once enjoyed. When he awoke the nurse brought him some refreshing nourishment, of which

he partook eagerly. When he had eaten she said:

"There is a gentleman below who wishes to see you. Shall I bring him up? I think he is a railroad man." "Yes, if you please."

In another moment a kind-faced man appeared and took him by the hand.

"So you are the little hero who saved our number 11 last night? Our men tell me that you have no home nor relatives. How would you like to become the ward of the G. B. & F. R. R.? I believe you have merited a place on our payroll as long as you want to stay, and if you are willing you may go to work in any department you wish."

"I would like to be a railroad man very much-I would like to be a conductor some day, when I am big enough,' said Bert, while his eyes brightened with anticipation.

Before the superintendent left Bert had his promise that when he had recovered he should have a place as passenger brakeman until he had developed those qualifications that would warrant his being placed in the freight service.

His

What a happy day to his young heart when he found himself. on top of a freight train. From the very beginning he was determined to climb the ladder of promotion and merit recognition of all with whom he came in contact. natural alertness and willingness, combined with a sunny disposition soon won for him preference, and after less than four years' faithful service he found himself in charge of a freight train, even before he had reached his majority. Nor did his devotion to duty stop here, but, earnest in his desire to win a higher place he toiled on for five years with the same willingness that had characterized all his efforts. But at last it came an order to provide himself with a uniform.

If there were any who expected his early promotion to change his character they were mistaken, for he not only retained the same but proved himself a king amongst his fellows and one of the ablest in the noble Order whose obligation he took early in his career as con

ductor. Luck, too, if there be such thing, seemed to follow him, but as there are ends to all bright days Bert had to meet his first disaster.

It all occurred one night when he was late out of Houghton. The recent rains had swollen the creeks until they were like rivers and had overflowed the banks of rivers until they resembled lakes. The G. B. & F. R. R. had never suffered in consequence of floods, as the track in dangerous or threatened places had been strongly fortified against washouts by massive embankments of slag, which made it almost impregnable to water. When the limited stopped at Blairsville the rain was still falling, and as far as the eye could see water was running in rivulets down the streets of the little town. Bert expected to receive a caution order, but found instead that the red signal had been displayed to hold his train until a freight train which had broken in two had reported clear. While standing at the window of the telegraph office he saw the sweet face of a little girl at the window of one of his coaches. He recalled the pale, wax-like face of a delicate woman reclining against the cushions, whom he had tried to make as comfortable as possible. The sweet little girl at the window he learned was her daughter, and through her childish confidence he learned that they were going to California in search of health for the mother. Her papa was dead, she said, and she knew of no relatives they had ever had. Bert waved his hand to her and saw her smile.

"All right, Bert, here's your clearance," said the operator at that moment.

"How's the water in the valley between here and Norwood?"

"Haven't heard-guess it's not high enough to get scarry over.”

Bert made no reply, but ran to his engine, and as he was delivering the clearance, said to Joe Kelsey, his engineer:

"No orders, Joe; only a clearance; Number 45 broke in two, but they are in to clear at Denton now."

"All right, Bert; is that all?"

"I was going to say, maybe you had

better run slow between Mill Creek and Norwood-I know it's all slagged-except about four hundred feet between the two bridges on the outside of the

curve

The limited was moving before he had time to complete his warning, for Joe Kelsey was not one who lingered at stations long after he received a signal to go.

Bert caught the first coach and entered. A glance at the sleeping passengers assured him that no one had got on at Blairsville. The following coach and others were gone through in the same manner; then he returned to the chair car. A pair of bright eyes were watching for him, and as he seated himself near her he noted that the mother's hands had fallen to her side and her eyes were closed in sleep.

"Mamma is asleep," whispered the girl. "Would I be in your way if I sat here by you?”

"No, indeed; but aren't you sleepy too?"

"Oh, no; not a bit. Why did we stop at that town-no one got on?"

Then Bert explained the reason for stopping, and told her about the freight which had broken in two and many other things which seemed to delight and interest her. When he had concluded he said:

"You haven't told me your name yet."

"My name is Helen Tremaine; what is yours?"

“That is a pretty name. My name is Bert Mills. Now tell me how old you are."

"I am going on eleven."

"And you say your papa is dead and that you have no relatives living?"

"Yes; papa had some distant relatives in England, but we never hear from them. Mamma has no relatives either. We just sold all our things when mamma got sick so that she could not teach piano any longer, and started for California, for she said she would get better there."

"I hope she will," said Bert, looking at the angelic face across the aisle. Then as he looked again a startled feel