LEASE
4/17/98

This Lease is entered into on this  17th day of April, 1998 between 
CENTER TOWERS L. C., hereinafter called LANDLORD, and  HIGH PLAINS 
CORPORATION  hereinafter called TENANT.

WITNESSETH:

In consideration of the mutual covenants and promises hereinafter 
contained, the parties hereby mutually agree as follows:

1.   LEASED PREMISES:  TENANT will use as office space that portion of 
the 8th floor of the O.W. Garvey Building, which is so indicated on 
Exhibit "A" attached hereto (herein the "Leased Premises") and made part 
hereof, hereinafter referred to as the Building, Wichita, Sedgwick County, 
Kansas.  Tenant leases from Landlord approximately 3842 Rentable Square Feet 
and will pay rent based thereon.  

Rentable Square Feet means the square footage of the tenant's office 
space reflected in Exhibit "A" plus tenant's pro rata share of the 
common area of the total square footage of the second floor of the 
building to which all tenants have common access thereto.

2.  TERM:  The rent paying term of this Lease shall be approximately 
Five years, commencing  June 1, 1998 and ending May 31, 2003. 

3.  RENT:  
	(A) Subject to escalation as provided in paragraph 3 (B) below, 
TENANT agrees to pay as Base Rent, the sum of $8.11  multiplied by the 
Rentable Square Feet as shown in paragraph 1 herein.   The Annual Base 
Rent will be $31,158.62 payable at a rate of  $2,596.55 per month, with 
the rent for the first month payable in advance and payments thereafter 
to be made on the first day of each calendar month during the term.  
The rent for any fractional calendar month shall be prorated.

	(B) Change of Base Rent Due to Cost of Living.   Base Rent as 
provided herein shall be adjusted by adjusting the Base Rent in the 
same proportion as the fluctuation in the Consumer Price Index.  The 
adjustment provided herein shall be in addition to any scheduled 
increase in Base Rent and shall be cumulative from year to year.  See 
Annual Base Rent.

	As used in this Article, the term "Consumer Price Index" shall mean 
the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (1982 to 1984  = 100) 
released by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor 
Statistics, relating to Consumer Prices, all urban consumers, United 
States city average.  The statistical methods used for computing the 
Consumer Price Index shall be such as are chosen by the United States 
Department of Labor for that purpose irrespective of whether the 
methods are changed from time to time.  If the base year selected by 
the United States Department of Labor shall be changed, then the 
resultant Index shall be readjusted so as to reflect the base initially 
established under this section.  If the said Index shall no longer be 
published or cannot be readjusted, then another Index generally 
recognized as authoritative shall be substituted by Landlord.
	
	For purposes of this paragraph, the base month will be the month 
next preceding the first full month of the term of this Lease, and in 
the event of any renewal, the month prior to the first month of such 
renewal.  Such proportion shall be computed annually for the first 
month following the completion of each twelve (12) months of the Lease, 
and the new rent derived from such computation shall be in effect for 
the next (12) months.  In no event, however, will an adjustment be made 
which would reduce the Base Rent to an amount less than the immediately 
preceding  Lease Year.  The necessary calculation for the adjustment 
required herein will be made as quickly as possible, but in the event a 
rent paying date occurs before the adjustment can be calculated, an 
amount equal to the current unadjusted Base Rent will be paid by Tenant 
to Landlord on the rent payment date, and as soon as the calculation of 
the adjustment is made, an additional payment will be immediately paid 
by Tenant to Landlord.

<PAGE>


	(C)  In addition to the Base Rent specified in paragraph 3 (A), and 
subject to the escalation specified in paragraph 3 (B) above, Tenant 
shall pay as additional rent, its proportionate share of any increase 
in the real property taxes as provided for in paragraph twenty-three 
(23).
  
4.  LATE FEE:  In the event any installment of the rent is not paid 
within fifteen days after it becomes due, a late fee of ten percent of 
the monthly installment will be charged.  In addition, TENANT shall be 
responsible for any attorney's fees incurred by LANDLORD in connection 
with the collection of late fees, which sums shall be deemed additional 
rent.  The payment of any late fee shall not cure or excuse any default 
by TENANT under this Lease. 

5.  SECURITY FOR PAYMENT OF RENT AND OTHER LEASE OBLIGATIONS:  TENANT 
shall deposit with LANDLORD the sum of $0000.00 (Security Deposit) 
which may be commingled by LANDLORD with its other funds and which 
shall be received by LANDLORD, without liability for any interest, as 
security for the payment of rent hereunder and the full and faithful 
performance of all the terms , covenants and conditions of this Lease. 

6.  IMPROVEMENT OF THE LEASED PREMISES:  TENANT agrees to accept the 
Leased Premises in its present condition, subject to improvements, 
alterations and decorations to be made by the LANDLORD as set forth in 
Exhibit B to this Lease which is attached hereto and made a part 
hereof.  No alterations, additions or improvements to the Leased 
Premises (including signs), except those as specifically set forth in 
Exhibit B, shall be made without first having the written consent of 
the LANDLORD.  Any improvements, additions or alterations made to the 
Leased Premises shall  become a part of the realty and shall not 
thereafter be removed from the premises by the TENANT, with the sole 
exception that TENANT shall have the right to install trade fixtures 
which may be removed by the TENANT upon payment to LANDLORD of the cost 
for repairing any damage caused by the removal of said trade fixtures.  
Any mechanics or materialmen's lien filed against the Leased Premises 
for work claimed to have been done for, or for materials claimed to 
have been furnished to TENANT, shall be discharged by TENANT within ten 
days thereafter, at TENANT'S expense, by filing the bond required by 
law or otherwise.

7.  USE OF PROPERTY:  TENANT shall occupy the Leased Premises only as a 
business office and shall use it in a careful, safe and proper manner.  
TENANT shall not use the Leased Premises for any unlawful purpose or 
for any purpose deemed extra hazardous by the fire insurance company 
that has coverage on the premises.  LANDLORD shall have the right to 
enter the Leased Premises at reasonable hours of the day to examine the 
same, or to make such repairs and alterations as may be necessary.

8.  UTILITIES AND MAINTENANCE:  LANDLORD agrees to furnish, during 
ordinary business hours, except Sundays and holidays, such heat, water, 
electricity, air conditioning, elevator service and cleaning service as 
in LANDLORD'S sole judgement is necessary for the comfortable use and 
occupancy of said Leased Premises by TENANT;  all at LANDLORD'S cost 
and expense.  TENANT agrees that the LANDLORD shall not be liable for 
failure to supply any such heat, water, electricity, air conditioning, 
elevator service and cleaning service resulting from causes beyond the 
control of LANDLORD.  Should any equipment or machinery fail to 
function properly, LANDLORD shall use reasonable diligence to repair 
same promptly, but TENANT shall have no claim for rebate of rent or 
damages on account of any interruption in service occasioned thereby or 
resulting therefrom.  TENANT shall be responsible for all damage to the 
Leased Premises caused by TENANT'S use, other than damage caused by 
ordinary wear and tear and for all redecorating, remodeling and 
alteration required by it during the term of this Lease.


<PAGE>


9.  AFTER HOURS H.V.A.C.:  For the purpose hereof, the term "ordinary 
hours" shall mean 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.  
Sundays and holidays shall not constitute ordinary business hours.  
Ordinary business hours may be modified from time to time.  The 
furnishing of heating, ventilation and air conditioning during other 
than normal business hours, holidays and Sundays may be available at a 
rate to be established by LANDLORD, but at a rate that will be known 
prior to said furnishing by LANDLORD.

10.  POSSESSION:  If LANDLORD is unable to give TENANT possession at 
the beginning of the lease term, then rent shall abate until occupancy 
is available to TENANT, which abatement in rent shall be accepted by 
TENANT as full settlement of all damages occasioned by such delay.  If 
the Leased Premises is not ready for occupancy within three months 
after the commencement date specified in Section 2, TENANT may cancel 
this Lease by giving written notice to LANDLORD.  TENANT may have 
access to the Leased Premises prior to the commencement date for the 
purpose of installing office equipment, services and other necessary 
items.

11.  UNIFORM  RULES AND  REGULATIONS:  LANDLORD shall have the right to 
prescribe, and TENANT agrees to abide by, uniform rules and regulations 
for the "Building" as LANDLORD may reasonably deem necessary, advisable 
and appropriate.

12.  CASUALTY  DAMAGE:  If the Leased Premises is partially damaged by 
fire, the elements or other casualty, then LANDLORD shall promptly 
repair all damage and restore the Leased Premises to its prior 
condition.  If TENANT is deprived of the use of any substantial portion 
of the Leased Premises, either by reason of said damage or during 
restoration, the rent shall be proportionately reduced according to the 
extent to which TENANT is deprived of such use.  If the Leased Premises 
is damaged by fire, the elements or other casualty to the extent of 50% 
or more of the replacement cost thereof, LANDLORD may terminate the 
Lease as of the date of the damage by written notice to TENANT within 
sixty  days after said date of the damage.

13.  LIABILITY  INSURANCE:  

(a)  TENANT shall procure a comprehensive general liability insurance 
policy, at TENANT'S cost, for the Leased Premises, covering bodily 
injury of at least $100,000 to each person and $300,000 for each 
accident, and property damage of at least $100,000.

(b)  TENANT agrees to bring itself within the elective provisions of 
the Workman's Compensation Law and to carry insurance covering its 
liability under said law at TENANT'S expense.

(c)  Any and all insurance held by TENANT shall be with insurance 
companies acceptable to LANDLORD.  TENANT shall furnish LANDLORD with 
certificates of insurance evidencing said coverage, with each 
certificate bearing acknowledgment by the insurance company agreeing to 
give LANDLORD ten days notice before cancellation of such policy.  Each 
of such comprehensive general liability policies shall name Center 
Towers L. C. as an insured thereunder.

14.  INDEMNITY:  LANDLORD shall not be liable for any injury , loss or 
damage to persons or property resulting from fire, theft, explosion, 
steam, gas, electricity, water, rain or snow or  leaks from any part of 
the Building or any cause of whatever nature unless caused by or due to 
the negligence of  LANDLORD or its employees.  TENANT will indemnify 
and hold harmless LANDLORD from all liability for damages, claims or 
expenses which TENANT may be assessed on account of injuries or damage 
to the person or property of any other tenant of the Building or to any 
other person rightfully in the Building where the injuries or damages 
are caused by misconduct or negligence of TENANT, its agents, employees 
or guests.  



<PAGE>


15.  CONDEMNATION:  In the event that the whole or part of the Leased 
Premises should be condemned or seized by any governmental authority, 
or any transfer in lieu thereof, the rent specified in this Lease shall 
be abated to the extent that the Leased Premises is no longer available 
for use by the TENANT.  This Lease shall not otherwise be affected by 
such condemnation or seizures, and the TENANT agrees that it is to 
receive no part of any damages or rentals which may be awarded as a 
result of such condemnation or seizure.

16.  LIEN ON TENANT'S  PROPERTY:  At all times, LANDLORD shall have a 
first lien, for all rent and other sums of money due hereunder from 
TENANT, upon all goods, wares, equipment, fixtures, furniture and other 
property of TENANT situated on the Leased Premises.  Said property 
shall be evidenced by Schedule 1, affixed hereto, which constitutes an 
inventory of said property.  The LANDLORD'S lien herein shall attach to 
all after-acquired property and TENANT shall inform LANDLORD when such 
after-acquired property is situated on the Leased Premises.  In 
addition to the first lien, LANDLORD shall have, and cause to be 
perfected, a security interest in all property identified in Schedule 
1, and all after-acquired property.  TENANT shall execute all documents 
required under the terms of the Uniform Commercial Code.

17.  TERMINATION:  LANDLORD shall have the right to terminate this 
Lease in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership of TENANT 
or an assignment by TENANT for the benefit of the creditors of the 
TENANT.

18.  DEFAULT:  The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute 
a default under this Lease by the TENANT:

(a)  Failure by TENANT to pay any money as rent or taxes due when the 
same becomes payable in accordance with this Lease and the continuation 
of such failure for a period of ten days after written notice thereof 
from LANDLORD to TENANT.

(b)  Default by TENANT in the due, prompt and complete performance or 
observance of any other covenant , agreement or obligation of TENANT 
contained in this Lease and the continuation of such default for a 
period of thirty days after written notice thereof from LANDLORD to 
TENANT specifying the nature of such default, except that if such 
default cannot reasonably be cured within such thirty day period.  
TENANT shall not be deemed to be in default if it shall within such 
period commence such cure and thereafter diligently prosecute the same 
to completion. 

(c)  TENANT'S abandonment of the Leased Premises.

19.  TERMINATION OF LEASE AND REMOVAL OF TENANT:  In the event of 
TENANT'S breach of and default under this Lease as provided in Section 
18 above, LANDLORD may, at LANDLORD'S option , and without limiting 
LANDLORD in the exercise of any other right or remedy LANDLORD may have 
on account of such breach and default, and without further demand or  
notice:

(a)  Re-enter the Leased Premises, with or without process of law, and 
remove all persons therefrom, and without terminating this Lease at any 
time and from time to time, relet the Leased Premises or any part or 
parts thereof for the account of TENANT or otherwise;  receive and 
collect the rents therefore, applying the same first to the payment of 
such expenses as LANDLORD may have paid, assumed or incurred in 
recovering possession of the Leased Premises, including costs, expenses 
and attorneys' fees, and for placing the same in good order and 
condition, or repairing or altering the same for reletting and all 
other expenses, commissions and charges paid, assumed or incurred by 
LANDLORD in or about reletting the Leased Premises, and then to the 
fulfillment of the agreements of TENANT hereunder.  Any such reletting, 
as provided herein, may be for such term or terms (which may be for a 
term extending beyond the term of this Lease) and at such rental or 
rentals and upon such other terms and conditions as LANDLORD, in its 
sole discretion, may deem advisable.  In any event, and whether or not 
the Leased Premises or any part thereof is relet, TENANT shall pay to 
LANDLORD all such sums required to be paid by TENANT up to the time of 
re-entry by LANDLORD and, thereafter, TENANT shall, if required by 
LANDLORD, pay to LANDLORD, until the end of the term of this Lease, the 
equivalent of the amount of all rent and other charges required to be 
paid by TENANT under the terms hereof, less the avails of such 
reletting, if any, after payment of the expenses of LANDLORD as 
aforesaid.


<PAGE>



(b)  Terminate this Lease and re-enter the Leased Premises, with or 
without process of law, and remove all persons therefrom, and LANDLORD 
shall thereupon be entitled to recover from TENANT all damages it may 
incur by reason of such breach, including the cost of recovery of the 
Leased Premises.

20.  ACCELERATION OF RENT:  In any action for rent, or in any case 
where the TENANT has abandoned the Leased Premises and fails to pay 
rent, the total sums due for the balance of the Lease term shall be due 
and payable in their entirety as damages, specifically notwithstanding 
any other duty imposed by law upon TENANT.      

21.  NO ACCEPTANCE OF SURRENDER:  Notwithstanding anything to the 
contrary set forth herein,  LANDLORD'S  reentry to perform acts of 
maintenance or preservation of, or in connection with efforts to relet, 
the Leased Premises or any portion thereof, or the appointment of a 
receiver upon LANDLORD'S initiative to protect LANDLORD'S interest 
under this Lease shall not terminate TENANT'S right to possession of 
the Leased Premises or any portion thereof and, until LANDLORD does 
elect to terminate this Lease, this Lease shall continue in full force 
and LANDLORD may pursue all of its remedies hereunder including, 
without limitation, the right to recover from TENANT as they become due 
hereunder all rent, additional rent and other charges required to be 
paid by TENANT under the terms hereof.

22.  ATTORNEY'S FEES:  In the event of any litigation between LANDLORD 
and TENANT to enforce any of the provisions of this Lease or any right 
of either party hereto, the unsuccessful party to such litigation 
agrees to pay to the successful party all costs and expenses, including 
reasonable attorney's fees, incurred therein by the successful party, 
all of which shall be included in and as a part of the judgment 
rendered in such litigation.  If LANDLORD engages the services of an 
attorney for the purpose of collecting any rent, or other sums due from 
TENANT hereunder, having first given the TENANT five days' notice of 
its intention of doing so, TENANT shall pay the reasonable fees of such 
attorney regardless of the fact that no legal proceeding or action may 
have been commenced.

23.  REAL PROPERTY TAXES:  LANDLORD agrees to pay all real property 
taxes on the Building,  with possible reimbursement by TENANT of a 
portion thereof as hereafter provided.  For the purpose of this 
paragraph, the tax year 1998 is hereinafter referred to as the Base 
Year.  If the real property taxes for the Building for any tax year 
exceed the real property taxes for the Base Year, then TENANT shall 
reimburse LANDLORD for TENANT'S share of such excess, provided LANDLORD 
requests such reimbursement not later than sixty days after the 
delinquent date for such taxes.  TENANT'S  share shall be a fraction of 
such excess, the numerator of which fraction shall be the total number 
of rentable square feet of TENANT, and the denominator of which shall 
be the total number of rentable square feet in the Building.  TENANT 
shall reimburse LANDLORD within thirty days after receipt of 
satisfactory evidence of LANDLORD'S payment of such taxes and the 
amount due from TENANT.

24.  HOLDING OVER:  If TENANT remains in possession of the Leased 
Premises after the expiration of this Lease, such continued possession 
shall create a month-to-month tenancy on the same terms specified 
herein and said tenancy may be terminated at any time by either party 
providing to the other party a thirty day  written notice of 
termination.


<PAGE>


25. RIGHT TO SHOW PREMISES:  LANDLORD may, at any time within sixty 
days of the expiration of this Lease, enter the Leased Premises at all 
reasonable hours for the purpose of offering and showing the premises 
for lease.

26.  ASSIGNMENT:  TENANT may not assign this Lease or sub-lease the 
Leased Premises or any part thereof without the written consent of 
LANDLORD.  Such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

27.  RECAPTURE OF ASSIGNMENT OR LEASE PROFIT:  If the rental reserved 
in any lease or assignment of all or any part of the Leased Premises 
exceeds the rental or prorated portion of the rental, as the case may 
be, for such space reserved in the Lease, TENANT shall pay LANDLORD 
each month, as additional rent, at the same time as the monthly 
installments of rent become due hereunder, one-half of the excess of 
the rental reserved in the lease or assignment over the rental reserved 
in this Lease.

28.  CONSTRUCTION OF LEASE:  The terms and provisions of this Lease 
shall be construed in accordance with laws of the State of Kansas.

29.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND MODIFICATIONS:  This Lease contains the 
entire agreement between the parties hereto, and no agent, 
representative, salesman or officer of the parties hereto has authority 
to make, or has made, any statement, representation or agreement, oral 
or written, which modifies, adds to, or changes the terms of this 
Lease.  No modifications of any of the terms and conditions of this 
Lease shall be effective unless reduced to writing and executed by the 
parties hereto.

30. FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL:  TENANT shall have a continuous right of 
first offer on all space which becomes, or is vacant on the 8th floor 
of the O.W. Garvey Building during the term of this Lease.  Upon 
presentation  of a bona fide third party offer acceptable to LANDLORD 
from a prospective tenant to lease space on the 8th floor, TENANT will 
be notified in writing of such offer and shall have three (3) business 
days after receipt of such notice within to exercise its right to 
either accept or refuse to lease the applicable space upon the same 
terms of the lease so offered, except that such lease shall be 
coterminous with this Lease.  

 

This Lease shall be binding on the heirs, executors, administrators and 
successors of the parties hereto.

IN WITNESS HEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Lease to be 
executed the day and year first above written.


CENTER TOWERS L.C.
LANDLORD                                      ATTEST: /s/Cheryl Gillenwater


By: /s/James H. Childers
    Executive Vice President
 

HIGH PLAINS CORPORATION
TENANT                                        ATTEST: /s/Raymond G. Friend


By:

 
Christopher G. Standlee
Vice President



<PAGE>


EXHIBIT A

4/14/98

RE:  Center Towers L.C. / High Plains Corporation Lease Suite 820 Eighth Floor
     O.W. Garvey Building, Wichita, KS  4/14/98


     Olive W. Garvey Building
     8th Floor Composite Drawing



<PAGE>


EXHIBIT B

4/14/98

RE:  Center Towers L.C. / High Plains Corporation Lease Suite 820 Eighth Floor
     O.W. Garvey Building, Wichita, KS  4/1/4/98

     TENANT agrees to take possession of space as it is.




<PAGE>


Lease Amendment 1

4/17/98

Ref:  Garvey Center, Inc. / High Plains Corporation Storage Lease, 3/28/94

Paragraph 1 LEASED PREMISES is changed to read "is designated Leased Premise
and identified as part of Suite 835 on the Eighth Floor of the O.W. Garvey
Building, TENANT shall use approximately 180 square feet as shown on Exhibit A
dated 4/17/98, which"

Paragraph 3 RENT is changed to read "said Leased Premises, $97.50 per month"



CENTER TOWERS L.C.
LANDLORD                                 ATTEST:/s/Cheryl Gillenwater


By: /s/James H. Childers
Executive Vice President



HIGH PLAINS CORPORATION
TENANT                                   ATTEST:/s/Raymond G. Friend


By: /s/Christopher G. Standlee
Vice President


<PAGE>

Lease Amendment 1

Exhibit A
4/17/98

Ref: Garvey Center, Inc. / High Plains Corporation Storage Lease, 3/28/94

Storage Space


Olive W. Garvey Building
8th Floor Composite Drawing



<PAGE>


Lease Amendment 1

7/15/98

Ref: Center Towers, Inc. / High Plains Corporation - Eighth Floor O.W. Garvey
Building - 4/17/98

To reflect that High Plains Corporation has on deposit with Center Towers LC
a deposit of $1,904.38 from a preceding lease paragraph five (5) will be
amended as follows:

Paragraph 5 SECURITY FOR PAYMENT OF RENT AND OTHER LEASE OBLIGATIONS: TENANT
has on deposit with LANDLORD the sum of $1,904.38 (Security Deposit) which
may be commingled by LANDLORD with its other funds and which shall be received
by LANDLORD, without liability for any interest, as security for the payment
of rent hereunder and the full and faithful performance of all the terms,
covenants and conditions of this Lease.



CENTER TOWERS L.C.                        ATTEST


By: /s/Larry Weber                        /s/Mindy Rowsey
Vice President & General Manager



HIGH PLAINS CORPORATION                   ATTEST


By: /s/Christopher G. Standlee            /s/Dianne S. Rice
Vice President