THE LOST DIAMONDS
“Great news, eh?” said Ralph.
“You will say so when you hear what I have got to tell you,” declared Zeph Dallas. “Say, I am going straight to headquarters. Come with me. The news will keep till we get there.”
“All right,” assented Ralph. “There is enough going on around here to keep a fellow interested.”
“The new railroad?” spoke Zeph brightly. “I should say so. Isn’t it just famous? I tell you, some hustling work has been done here in the past few weeks.”
Ralph was amazed and delighted at the progress made by the Short Line Railway. As said, a new locomotive was on the rails at the terminus, and a little depot had been built. Workmen were busy as far down the line as he could see. In fact, everything indicated that the road would soon be in full operation.
“The tracks are laid both ways from headquarters, except for a little distance on the Springfield 236 side,” said Zeph. “We expect passenger and freight cars for the road to-day, and on Monday we open the line.”
“And in what capacity will you appear on that grand occasion, Zeph?” inquired the young fireman pleasantly.
“Conductor!” exploded the farmer boy, drawing himself up proudly. “See here;” he drew back his coat and revealed the biggest and most elaborate “Conductor” badge manufactured. “We expect that Earl Danvers will become our brakeman.”
“Who?” cried Ralph with a start.