In that
gesture Neale read what stirred him to his soul. It was coming. He
saw it again in General Lodge's fleeting, rare smile. He held his
breath. The old pang throbbed in his breast.
"Lee, pray let me enlighten you and Senator Dunn," said Warburton,
sonorously, "and terminate this awkward interview ... When the last
spike is driven out here--presently--Mr. Neale will be chief
engineer of maintenance of way of the Union Pacific Railroad."
24
So for Neale the wonderful dream had come to pass, and but for the
memory that made all hours of life bitter his cup of joy would have
been full.
He made his headquarters in Benton and spent his days riding east or
west over the line, taking up the great responsibility he had long
trained for--the maintaining of the perfect condition of the
railroad.
Toward the end of that month Neale was summoned to Omaha.
The message had been signed Warburton. Upon arriving at the terminus
of the road Neale found a marvelous change even in the short time
since he had been there. Omaha had become a city. It developed that
Warburton had been called back to New York, leaving word for Neale
to wait for orders.
Neale availed himself of this period to acquaint himself with the
men whom he would deal with in the future.
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