st
together as soon as possible and take up some other line of
engineering work. So---well, Reade, if you want it, you are
now chief engineer of the S.B. & L. in earnest."

"Don't trifle with me, sir!" begged Tom incredulously. "I'm too
far from home."

"No one has ever accused me of being a humorist," replied Mr.
Newnham dryly. "Now tell me, Reade, whether you want the post I
have offered you?"

"Want it?" echoed Tom. "Of course I do. Yet doesn't it seem
too 'fresh' in a cub like myself to take such a post?"

"You've won it," replied the president. "It's also true that
you're only a cub engineer in years, and there are many greater
engineers than yourself in the country. You have executive ability,
however, Reade. You are able to start a thing, and then put it
through on time---or before. The executive is the type of man who
is most needed in this or any other country."

"Is an executive a lazy fellow who can make others work!" asked
Reade.

"No; an executive is a man who can choose other men, and can wisely
direct them to big achievements. An executive is a director of
fine team play. That describes you, Reade. However---you haven't
yet accepted the position as chief engineer of the S.B. & L."

"I'll end your suspense then, sir," smiled the cub. "I _do_ accept,
and with a big capital 'A'."

"As to your salary," continued Mr. Newnham, "nothing has been
said about that, and nothing need be said until we see whether
the road is operating in season to save its charter. If we save
our charter and the road, your salary will be in line with the
size of the achievement."

"If we should lose the charter, sir," Tom retorted, his face clouding,
"I don't believe I'd take any interest in the salary question.
Money is a fine thing, but the game---the battle---is twenty
times more interesting. However, I'm going to predict, Mr. Newnham,
that the road WILL operate on time."

"I believe you're going to make good, Reade, no matter what a
small coterie of politicians at Denver may think. I never met
a man who had success stamped more plainly on his face than you
have. By the way, I shall ask you to keep Mr. Howe as an assistant.
You still have the appointment of one other assistant, in place
of Mr. Blaisdell."

"I know the fellow I'd like to appoint," cried Tom eagerly.

"If you're sure about him, then go ahead and appoint him," responded
the president of the S.B. & L. railway.

"Hazelton!" proclaime