am glad you like it. Are you still quite comfortable?"

"Yes, indeed; thank you. How fast are we going now?"

"About twenty-five miles an hour; but we'll double that when Maclure
gets her warmed up."

"Double it! Why, we seem to be fairly flying now!"

"Wait," said Brockway.

Maclure was sitting sphynx-like on his box, coming to life now and then
to reduce the angle of the reversing-lever, or to increase that of the
throttle. The fireman labored steadily, swaying back and forth between
the coal-chute and the fire-box door, his close-fitting cap on the back
of his head, and Brockway's cigar,--unlighted, in deference to
Gertrude,--between his teeth.

"What dreadfully hard work it must be to shovel coal that way all
night," Gertrude said, following the rhythmic swing of the fireman's
sinewy figure with her eyes.

"He's getting his fire into shape, now," Brockway explained. "He'll have
it easier after a bit."

"Why doesn't he smoke his cigar?"

Brockway smiled. "Because, down under the grime and coal-dust and other
disguises, there is a drop or two of gentle blood, I fancy."

"You mean it's because I'm here? Please tell him to light his cigar, if
he wants to."

Brockway obeyed, and the fireman unbent and bobbed his head in
Gertrude's direction. "Thank ye, ma'am," he shouted, with a good-natured
grin on his boyish face; "but I'm thinkin' a dhry smoke's good enough
for the lady's car"--and he bent to his work again, while the endless
procession of telegraph-poles hurtled past with ever-increasing
swiftness, and the sharp blasts of the exhaust lost their intermittence,
and became blent in a continuous roar.

Presently, the laboring engine began to heave and roll like a
storm-tossed vessel, and Gertrude was fain to make use of the foot-rest.
Being but a novice, she made unskilful work of it; and when her foot
slipped for the third time, Brockway took his courage in both hands.

"Just lean back and brace yourself against my shoulder," he said; "I'm
afraid you'll get a fall."

She did it, and he held himself in watchful readiness to catch her if
she should lose her balance.

"Is that better?"

She nodded. "Much better, thank you. Have we doubled it yet?"

Brockway took out his watch and timed the revolutions of the flying
drive-wheels. "Not quite, but we're bettering the schedule by several
miles. Do you still enjoy it?"

"Yes, much; but it's very dreadful, isn't it? I don't see how he dares!"

"Who? Mac