Ralph on the Overland Express Part 36

"And now?" said Ralph.

"The story has been told. Old Mr. Gregg is convinced that his son was innocent of forgery. He will take care of his grandson and make him his heir, and young Clark, as you see, has done a grand thing."

"Yes, indeed," a.s.sented Ralph.

"Howard will return to New Mexico with a relieved conscience. I am going to the jail here now to see Morris. If he will agree to leave the country and never annoy his uncle again, I will give him a certain large sum of money, as directed by his uncle. If he doesn't, he will be prosecuted for the forgery."

"Zeph," observed the young railroader enthusiastically, "you have proven yourself not only a real detective, but a splendid lawyer, as well."

"Thank you," returned Zeph, and blushed modestly; "most everybody that gets in with you does some kind of good in the world."

It was two hours later when a messenger came to the Fairbanks home with a letter for Ralph.

The young engineer flushed with pleasure as he read a brief communication from the master mechanic, advising him that Mr. Robert Grant, president of the Great Northern, was at Stanley Junction, and wished to see him for a few minutes at the Waverly Hotel.

Ralph told his mother of the incident, and her eyes followed him fondly and proudly as, arrayed in his best, Ralph started out to keep his appointment.

It was a warm welcome that the young railroader received from the great railroad magnate. Mr. Grant went over their mutual experiences the night of the wild dash of the special from Rockton to Shelby Junction.

"You did a most important service for the road that night, Fairbanks,"

said the railroad president; "how much, is a secret in the archives of the company, but I can say to you confidentially that the Mountain Division would have pa.s.sed to another line if we had not acted in time."

"I am very glad," said Ralph modestly.

"I want to acknowledge that service. I am only the president of the road," said Mr. Grant, smiling, and Ralph smiled, too, "so being a servant of the road, I must act under orders. I learned that, like all thrifty young men, you had a savings account at the bank here. I have deposited there the company's check for one thousand dollars to your account."

"Oh, Mr. Grant----" began Ralph, but the railroad president held up his hand to check the interruption.

"As to Fogg," went on Mr. Grant, "the road has closed up the subscription in his behalf, by giving him sufficient to rebuild his burned-down house."

Ralph's face was aglow with pride, pleasure and happiness.

"So, good-by for the present, Fairbanks," concluded the railroad president, grasping Ralph's hand warmly. "There are higher places for ambitious young men in the service of the road, as you know. I shall not try to influence your plans, for I know that sheer merit will put you forward when you decide to advance. As to my personal influence, that, you know, is yours to command. For the present, however, we should regret to see the Overland Express in other hands than those of the youngest and the best engineer on the Great Northern."

What Mr. Grant had to say about Ralph's advancement came true a little later, and those who care to follow our hero's future career may do so in the next story of this series, to be called, "Ralph, the Train Dispatcher; or, The Mystery of the Pay Car." In that volume we shall meet many of our old friends once more, and see what our hero did when new difficulties confronted him.

One day Ralph was surprised to receive a visit from Marvin Clark and Fred Porter. He received them both warmly, and soon learned that Clark had fixed up his trouble over railroad work, and with his parent, and had secured a good position for Fred, so that the latter would no longer need to lead a roving life.

"But I must have one more ride with you, Fairbanks," said Fred.

"And I'll go along," said the son of the railroad president.

"With pleasure!" cried Ralph. "Come on!" And he led the way to where No. 999 stood ready for the next run.

The trip was a grand success. And here we will, for the present, at least, say good-by to Ralph of the Overland Express.

THE END

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DON St.u.r.dY ON THE DESERT OF MYSTERY; Or, Autoing in the Land of the Caravans.