out and in, during the twelve hours, but that day there had been
nearly double the number of passengers, and a considerable increase in
the number of trains that conveyed them, while goods trains had also
increased greatly in bulk and in numbers.

Garvie's box abutted on a bridge, and stood in the very midst of a
labyrinth of intricate crossing lines, over which trains and
pilot-engines were constantly rushing and hissing, backing and whistling
viciously, and in the midst of which, Will moved at the continual risk
of his life, as cool as a cucumber (so Bob Garvie expressed it), and as
safe as the bank.

Although thus situated in the midst of smoke, noise, dust, iron, and
steam, Will Garvie managed to indulge his love for flowers. He had a
garden on the line--between the very rails! It was not large, to be
sure, only about six feet by two--but it was large enough for his
limited desires. The garden was in a wooden trough in front of his
sentry-box. It contained mignonette, roses, and heart's-ease among
other things, and every time that Will passed out of or into his box in
performing the duties connected with the station, he took a look at the
flowers and thought of Loo and the innumerable boys, girls, and babies
at home. We need not say that this garden was beautifully kept.
Whatever Will did he did well--probably because he tended well the
garden of his own soul.

While he was standing outside his box during one of the brief intervals
between trains, an extremely beautiful girl came on the platform and
called across the rails to him.

"Hallo! Gertie--what brings _you_ here?" he asked, with a look of glad
surprise.

"To see _you_," replied Gertie, with a smile that was nothing short of
bewitching.

"How I wish you were a flower, that I might plant you in my garden,"
said the gallant William, as he crossed the rails and reached up to
shake Gertie's hand.

"What a greedy man you are!" said Gertie. "Isn't Loo enough for you?"

"Quite enough," replied Will, "I might almost say more than enough at
times; but come, lass, this ain't the place for a palaver. You came to
speak with me as well as to see me, no doubt."

"Yes, Will, I came with a message from Mrs Tipps. You know that the
railway men are going to present father with a testimonial to-night;
well, Mrs Tipps thinks that her drawing-room won't be large enough, so
she sent me to ask you to let the men know that it is to be presented in
the schoolroo