ny of their locomotives. I just want to study them."

"That's all right," said Ralph, "I'll see you to-morrow and fix things
for you, so you will be welcome among my railroad friends."

"You're a royal good fellow, Mr. Ralph," declared the young inventor
with enthusiasm, "and I don't know how to thank you enough."

"Well, I've tried to do something for humanity to-day," reflected the
young engineer brightly, as he wended his way homewards. "It comes
easy and natural, too, when a fellow's trying to do his level best."

Ralph found his mother bustling about at a great rate when he reached
home. The excitement over the fire had died down. Fogg was up at the
ruins getting his rescued household belongings to a neighborly
shelter. The string of excited friends to condole with Mrs. Fogg had
dwindled away, and the poor lady lay in comfort and peace in the best
bedroom of the house.

"She seems so grateful to you for having saved her life," Mrs.
Fairbanks told Ralph, "and so glad, she told me, that her husband had
signed the pledge, that she takes the fire quite reasonably."

"Yes," remarked Ralph, "I heard about the pledge, and it is a blessed
thing. I have other grand news, too. There's a lot of good fellows in
Stanley Junction, and the Foggs won't be long without a shelter over
their heads," and Ralph told his mother all about the subscription
list and the moving picture show benefit.

"You are a grand manager, Ralph," said the fond mother. "I am only too
glad to do my share in making these people welcome and comfortable."

"You know how to do it, mother," declared Ralph, "that's sure."

"It seems as if things came about just right to take in the Foggs,"
spoke Mrs. Fairbanks. "Limpy Joe went back to his restaurant on the
Short Line yesterday, and Zeph Dallas has left, looking for a new job,
he says, so we have plenty of spare rooms for our guests."

Ralph started for the ruined Fogg homestead to see if he could be of
any use there. He came upon Fogg moving some furniture to the barn of
a neighbor on a hand-cart. The fireman dropped the handles as he saw
Ralph. His face worked with vivid emotion as he grasped the hand of
the young railroader.

"Fairbanks," he said, "what can I say to you except that you have been
the best friend I have ever known!"

"Nothing, except to make up your mind that the friendship will last if
you want to suit me."

"Honest--honest?" urged Fogg, the tears in his eyes, earnestly
regardin