The Ordway new era., 1916-05-12
= sr,re. rivins him money q be

Tfdewater, had doom cuhrsoo VISA
cut.ofY operations and took 30 liveiy
on interest In It that no personally di-
rocted much OF the work. Moreover
he made II a point to keep bis crews
well supplied with the sinews OF wui
in this case, men and explosives to'
| tho rock work. Both wero scarce
and much of the time the two roaas
were bidding strongly against eacn
other for them. when Spike applied
In the tent Office to Rhinelanders
foreman, Pickcns, for JOB, the ia''el'
though not impressed with his appear
ance, thought 1t n chance 10 hre
man away from the opposition, anu
told Rhinelander he would put the
fellow on the pay roll
| Shortly after Spikes appearance at
the time. keepers window. the ooss
driller came in to ask about new sup
plies of explosives. We're running
too low right now," he complained TO
tho foreman. IF we don't get pow
der for tomorrow, we've got to stop
blasting. that's all there Is to that'
Pickens turned to the new man;
Hike over to the depot, mutt. ana
ask the agent when he'll have dyha'
mito for me-.
Spike shuiIled across to the little
station with his usual confidence.
| Helen, Mt her desk, glanced up AT
| him without really recognizing NM
She was only conscious OF an IN
stinctive dislike for his unpromsing
yisage as he asked her when more
explosives would be in.
Tell Pickens," said the overworked
agent, answering Spikes questions
himself. there are two cars for him
| on No. S." TO make sure of the an
swer. he wrote out the information on
| a blank and handed it to the messen-
ger. And get move on you! he
exclaimed rudely, as he noticed SPIKES
| unpleasant gaze resting on Helen.
Slouching back to deliver his mes
sage. the safe-blower was still puz-
zled over the identity of the girl. But
he could not place her, and he dis
missed thought of the incident. He
did, however, stop moment to ask
questions about train No. S5 from a
passing switchman. Then he deliv-
cred his note to the foreman. Pick
ems read and handed the note to
Rhinelander. When Rhinelander hand
ed the note back, the foreman crum-
pied it up and threw it away. AS he
and Rhinelander went out together,
Spike picked up the paper and stuck
it in his pocket
After hours that night he was
again over at the Colorado camp.
where the work was going provoking
ly slow. to report to his real boss.
Seagrue pricked up his ears at the
news of the explosives. He presently
looked hard at Spike. IF we, or you,
can delay their supplies n little," he
unused, "it might help here lot just
now, Spike" Spike needed only a
hint. He started on foot for small
station five miles up the line, where
he leArned No. s5 usually took water.
On his way he had an eye open for
a conceivable, cold-blooded chance
| that might offer to wreck the train;
fortunately none inviting offered.
Reaching the water tank and prowl-
ing along the local train after 1t had
| pulled up under the spout. Spike still
| oouShI ia ooAdS "oy ~ WIN AAsoS.aAS,
on it. His eye rested presently or
some waste protruding from jour
nal box. Watching his chance, hs
struck a match to this and moved
cautiously on.
Storm was in the engine cab. HI
had received his signal from the con
ductor and was pulling his train ava.
from the spout, when the conductor
swinging up on the hind end of tn
caboose, caught with his eye colo
of something from one Of the wheel
of box car ahead. Pulling the al
valve. he brought the train to a
emergency stop and with his brak'
man ran forward. Storm, lookin
back for an explanation. likewise sa'
r the growing blaze, and getting dow
Joined the train crew. The flame
i mad begun to lick the body of th
8 car
I The trainmen were throwing sar
o on the journal, but it was too la
4 for temporizing with experiments SUE
as that. Storm told them he wou
9 back under the spout 80 they cou
food the flames and hastened bat
4 to his cab. As rapidly as possible
y pushed the train up past the wat
q tank, where the conductor cut OF Il
"a hind end and signaled Storm ahea
J. But can of crude oil in the burnil
z car gave way at that moment und
the strain of the intense heat, a
y the IRE, now well started, ignited t
car next ahead. The two were stopp
Il with Jolt under the tank and t
re- brakeman and fireman. pulling t
ID spout down. turned on heavy stree
re Of water. This unhappily served OF
ig- to spread the flames from the cru
TO oil. and the wind drove these tows
nj the two cars Just ahead, which I
en- crew were particularly anxious
he save-they were the cars that G