Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-08-31

eneu oyo8 anu uuoruluk ner Bumpse
OF q face working with mingled fear
and exultation.
Thus far the glacier had not disput-
ed their passage. IL maintained the
silence and the immoDility of marble.
Nothing but the snarl Of the surging
with the suddenness OF q rife shot
there came a detonation. louder. sharp
er than any blast OF powder. The
Norwegian cursed; the helmsman
dropped his eyes to the white face in
the bow and smiled.
Half a mile ahead Of them a mass
OF ice came ruinbiing down. ana the
whole valley rocked with the sound.
Onward the little craft fed, dancing
speck beneath the majesty Of that
frozen giant. an atom threatened by
the weight of mountains. At last
through the opening OF the gorge be
low came glimpse of the fats that
swung into an eddy and came to rest.
humping against the powders.
C'Neil sat down. wiping his wet face.
"Well, was 1t worth your trouble.
: Miss Kick-o er-the-tracesT he asked.
"Oh, II was gloriousl I'll never for
get It," Elizas cheeks were burning
now, her aching hands relaxed their
hold, and she drew Il deep breath-the
first OF which she had been conscious
since the start, fifteen minutes before.
"Now, on with your boots and your
sweater. Wen have an hours walt
for Natalie"
She gave a cry OF surprise and of
fered him a glimpse of trim ankle
and dripping foot.
"Seel They're wet. and l wriggled
my toes right through my stockings.
never was SO excited"
The boatman fastened the painter
and resumed his outer clothing. O'Neil
lit cigar and asked
We'll me- why did you insist on com
ingT
II was afraid something might hap
pen to you" He raised his brows. and
she flushed. Don't you understand?
Dan would never have forgiven me.
and-and-I just had to come, that's
all. It's corking material for mel
thought you might upset, and IL
don't know why l insisted" She bent
over her stubborn boots. hiding her
face. She was flaming to the ears, for
suddenly she knew the reason that had
prompted her. IL rushed upon her like
a sense OF great shame. She recalled
the desperate grip at her heart when
she had seen him ready TO leave, the
wildness of her longing TO share his
danger. the black fear that he might
meet disaster slone. Ii 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 IL made her fingers clumsy
and sent that food of scarlet TO her
neck and ears.
When Natalie arrived they cast off.
and the remaining miles were made In
a few hours.
Appleton joined them for lunch in
the tent they remembered so well and
professed 10 be shocked at the report
OF his sisters foolhardiness. But what
ridicule 1t promptly disappeared under
his complete Endorsement of her wis
dom In refraining from such a mad ad
venture. As If TO pot her even more
ct ease O'Neil was especially attentive
TO her, and Eliza reflected Hloomily
that men, after all, dislike bravado In
women, that trapeze artist or a lady
halloonist inspires only . qualified az
miration.
During O'Neil's absence work had
progressed steadily. On his return he
found the grade completed TO within
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 a 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 pretense, 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
barricades for their protection until his
grade looked like 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 uight?"
O'Neil inquired.
"Oil torches" Slater answered "Ahl
We've been recognized That comes
from being fat, / s'pose."
As he spoke donkey engine at the
right OF the proposed crossing set up
noisy rafting, thin steel cable whip
ped into view between the rails and
from the left there appeared a contriv-
ance. which O'Neil eyed curiously. 1t
was a sort Of drag and rode back and
forth upon the rails.
"Humph' They'd better not put much
trust I'm that" Murray grunted grimly.
Don't fool yourself. It's no rubber
tired baby carriag e. said Slater. Our
men are afraid of IL"
After watching the device scut1e
O'Neil said shortly:
post a notice nj once Offering
thousand dollars for any man who cuts
that cable"
"A thousand"- Appleton gasped.
Why, I'll do II. Let me-
mo, you won't" Slater broke In
I'll take that on myself"