Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1916-04-21

red to the Machine.
Seagrue was not for an instant to be
swerved from his purpose. Get that
whelp," he shouted, pointing at Spike.
I'll look out for the girl"
Albeit with the poor stomach, Lug
and Bill attacked the powerful outlaw.
Helen, looking ~distractedly for a
weapon of defense, saw the explosive
cylinders. A blow struck by Lug from
behind had stunned Spike. He lay
helpless and the three men turned to
secure Helen. STOPPING swiftly, she
picked up a cylinder and stood at bay.
Come another foot and I'll smash this
If it kills every one of us" she cried,
reckless Of consequence.
Lug and Bill halted in terror-they
knew If she carried out her threat it
meant death to them all. Seagrue's
was the harder nature. Throw it if
you dare" he cried, tauntingly. He
knew she would not commit suicide.
Together, boys he shouted; rush
her."
"Seagrue," cried a voice from the
VAiioON OChllO I1ClCu, SOL UdCh.
Storm had gained a hip of the roof
commanding the room and thrusting
his hand through the window covered
the men inside with a revolver.
Helen laid her dangerous cylinder
down. Storm handed her the pistol.
Keep them covered till l get in,
Helen!"
The window proved difficult to ne.
gotiate. Storm tried to drop inside
from it, and Helen turned to help him.
In doing so, she left the three an il.
slant uncovered. They sprang through
the door and down the stairs. Lug
and Bill made for the car. NO." shout.
ed Seagrue, hide"
Helen and Storm bent over Spike.
He lay dazed. When he was able to
help himself a little and with their
aid could rise to his feet, they sup
ported him downstairs.
Their enemies were nowhere to be
seen. But in the roadway stood Sea.
grue's machine. No member of the
party had scruple about c~onfiscating
it. Spike and Storm, together, soon
mad the engine turning and they put
Helen in on the eat where she had
SO lately lain helpless, and drove back
with her to R~hinelander's camp, where
they found him anxiously awaiting
Jews of his endangered. protegee.
He greeted the sight of Helen with
rejoicing, but his features darkened
when his eyes fell ON the redoubtable
Spike. Helen and Storm, enjoying the
mystery of the situation, allowed the
amazement on Rhinelander's face to
grow, as he looked from them to Spike,
and from Spike to Helen and Storm
for an explanation.
Yes" cried Helen, laughing at her
foster uncle, Il know it looks strange,
to see us three in friendly company,
doesn't it? But we're friends-aren't
we, Spike?"
Spike looked at her. you're my
friend, sure" he muttered.
R~hinelander, incredulous, pointed at
Spike. Have you brought him here
to hang him?" he exclaimed. IF that
fellow had anything to do with steal
ing you from the train, I'll help pull
the rope myself"
NO" cried Helen, whose eyes
sparkled with the fun of the puzzle.
w didn't bring him here to hang
him. We brought him here to eat the
best Sunday dinner you ever served
In a construction camp"
You're to carve the roast for him
yourself" i~nterposed Storm.
You've both gone crazy declared
Rhinelander, weakening.
No. persisted Helen, instead of
Spikes being to blame for my disap-
pearance, I'm afraid 1 should never
have lived to see you again, Uncle
Amos, if he hadn't been my friend in
need today" And she and Storm,
each constantly breaking in on the
other, told the days story.
by George!" cried Rhinelander,
holding his hand ungrudgingly out to
Spike, Il believe there's something
decent in your worthless carcass after
all, Spike. You are entitled to a good
dinner. And you shall eat it with me,
you blamed rascal. Go clean yourself
up and report at my car within an
hour" he said roughly. by the way,
Helen" he turned suddenly on his
foster niece: Those right-of-way con-
tracts?"
Here, Uncle Amos" she exclaimed.
She drew from her blouse the regis
tered package. But the Christmas
mail for the camp was stolen by those
brutes! It's lost"
mot quite" i~nterposed Storm, pull
ing lunches of letters from each OF
his pockets. Il picked 'em up before
we left the ROOM"
(TO BE CONTINUED.)