The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1916-11-02
Copyright, 1918, by Harper & Brothers.

meet disaster alone. 1t had all come
without warning, and there had been
no time for self consciousness. but
now she realized the truth. The poign-
ant pain Of 1t made her fingers clumsy
and sent that flood Of scarlet to her
neck and ears.
When Natalie arrived they cast of,
and the remaining miles were made In
q few hours.
Appleton joined them for lunch In
the tent they remembered so well and
professed to be shocked at the report
Of his sisters foolhardiness. But what
ever may have been Natalie's fear of
rtdicule 1t promptly disappeared under
his complete Endorsement Of her wis
dom In refraining from such a mad ad-
venture. AS If to put her even more
at ease O'Neil was especially attentive
to her, and Eliza reflected gloOmily
that men. after all. dislike bravado In
women, that a trapeze artist or a lady
miration.
During O'Neil's absence work had
progressed steadily. On his return he
found the grade completed to within a
few yards Of Gordon's right Of way.
Although he was still unable to walk,
he insisted upon going to the front,
whittier he was helped by Appleton
and Happy Tom.
Into the narrow space between the
end of his embankment and that Of his
rivals n gravel train was spilling its
burden and a hundred pick and shovel
men were busy. The opposing forces
also seemed hard at work, but their ac-
tivity was largely u p%retense, and they
showed plainly that they were waiting
for the clash. They were a hard look
ing crew, and their employer had neg
lected no ~precaution. He had erected
barbados for their protection until his
grade looked like a military work.
''They haven't showed any guns yet,
but I'm sure they're armed" Appleton
told his chief.
"How is the place lighted by night?'
O'Neil inquired.
"Oil torches" Slater answered. "Ah!
We've been recognized. That comes
from being fat, l s'pOse."
AS he spoke a donkey engine at the
right OF the proposed crossing set up a
noisy rafting, a thin steel cable whip
ped into view between the rails and
from the left there appeared a %contriv-
ance, which O'Neil eyed curiously. It
was a sort Of drag and rode back and
forth upon the rails.
"Humph. They'd better not put much
trust in that" Murray grunted grimly.
Don't fool yourself. It's no rubber
tired baby carriage" said Slater. Cur
men are afraid of It,"
After watching the device scuttle
back and forth for a few moments
O'Neil said shortly:
"Post a notice at once offering a
thousand dollars for any man who cuts
that cable"
"A thousand'- Appleton gasped.
Why, I'll do It. Let me-
"No, you won't" Slater broke in.
''I'll take that on myself"
81 spoke first. It's my first chance"
Dan cried.
ITS my job! I'm going
"Wait a minute!" O'Neil silenced the
two who were glazing at each other
angrily. Don't let's have any fighting.
There will be enough Of that later"
~ spoke first" Dan repeated stub
bornly.
II had my mouth puckered to spit.
that's why" the fat man explained.
"a fellow has to spit
ard rather you wouldn't volunteer,
Dan" said O'Neil.
"Why?"
You might get hurt"
Happy Tom nodded his agreement.
mans Grand"
And l don't want you to do 1t, either.
Tom, for the same reason"
Slater mumbled some sort Of Soul
acquiescence. but Dan would not be
denied.
you made the offer, and l took It
up" he told O'Neil. Somebody has to
make the first move, and / have a par
ticular need for exactly a thousand
dollars. If they start a rumpus it will
give us the excuse we're looking for.
I've been studying that 'go-devi'
through 6~eldglasses for two days now,
and I'll guarantee to put 1t out Of COM
mission before Gordon's men know
what I'm about Just forget the re-
ward, II you like. and give me a
chance"
whats your planT Slater inquired
eagerly, but Appleton shook his head.
mo. you don't TOMMY" he said.
I'm wise to you"
Murray hesitated briefly, then gave
bis permission. I'D rather you'd let
n of the roughnecks take the chance.
but II you insist
II do"
Then get your sisters consent
Slater swore mournfully, as II from
a heart filed with black despair.
"Ain't that my luck? One cud Of
gum cost me $1,000. Bosh! 1t would
take millionaire to afford n habit