Charlevoix county herald., 1916-12-15

idle men hung around In discontented
groups. The scrimmage had not add
ed any to their good temper and the
loss OF work continued to irritate. A
man from the outfit car brought tele-
gram to Seagrue's foreman, the man
known only as BILL" Bill opened
the message. His experience decipher-
ing telegraphese was not wide and he
stumbled over the penning for some
time before he finally made out the
contents:
LAS VEGAS REFUSES RIGHT OF
WAY. BRING OUTFIT INTO TOWN.
-SEAGRUE.
Bill studied the message in dismay.
1t meant good-by to all hope of patch
ing up Seagrue's difficulties, and the
abandonment of the construction
Without much of an effort to break
the fall of the unpleasant intelligence,
Bill told the men the orders and
though they were greatly disgruntled
and disinclined to do anything, he hur-
ried them along to the job of striking
camp.
Helen, with her companions in the
commandeered machine, was ap-
preaching Seagrues camp when the
men with her discovered that the
headquarters of the enemy looked de-
serted. Not man was anywhere in
sight around Seagrue's place. The
machinery had disappeared and the
outfit train was gone. Everywhere
were marks of hurried departure.
Now what the blazes does that
mean?" asked Rhinelander, gazing as
tonished at the deserted village.
No one could answer. You don't
suppose they've quit?" mused Rhine
lander, speaking to no one in partic-
ular.
Storm scanned the abandoned camp.
Good riddance, anyway" he NUT
tered.
Not for me-" declared Spike, dunn
founded as the others were, as he got
out OF the car. Not for me-" he re-
peated, locking in every direction for
sight of Seagrues missing equip
ment. Those guys, wherever they
are, have got my kit. And Just now,"
he added dryly, its the only one
happen to be carrying around with
me.''
A native son, who had been watch
ing the cleaning up of Seagrues camp,
sauntered past the group. From him
they learned that the men had gone
with his train to town. Spike appeared
disconnected about the loss of his be-
longings.
Don't worry" said Helen, lightly,
Il can arrange that for you. am 60
ing to return the machine to Seagrue
in Las Vegas. You can get your kit
there at the same time"
Then you go with Helen" directed
Rhinelander, speaking to Storm.
He drew a pad from his pocket and
wrote a note to the county recorder,
asking him to deliver the certified
copies of the deeds desired, to Helen.
She had, meantime, gone over to their
own camp with Storm, where both
changed for the ride into town. When
Helen reappeared Rhinelander gave
her the order:
THE COUNTY RECORDER: ORIG
lNAL DEEDS COVERING OUR
RIGHT OF WAY THROUGH LAS
VEGAS WERE DESTROYED BY
FIRE. PLEASE ISSUE CERTIFIED
COPIES TO BEARER, MISS HELEN
HoLMES.-AMoS RHlNELANDER.
Helen read the note and handed it
over to Storm for safekeeping The
two got into the motor car, called
Spike, and the party started for Las
Vegas.
Seagrue, whose persistence was pro-
verbal among those that knew him,
still stuck to his arguments before the
council committee. They had again
refused his requests and the scene had
degenerated into a kind Of wrangle
with Seagrue walking up and down
the room in rage while the discus
sion went forward. 1t was only after
the chairman had tcld him for the last
time there was no chance of their
changing their minds that Seagrue
gave up.
Seagrue took his hat and left the
room. Outside, he met his friend, the
sheriff, and into his sympathetic ears
Seagrue poured his troubles. His
equipment train pulled into the Las
Vegas terminal about the same time
with an angry gang Of men on board.
Helen, driving into Las Vegas,
stopped the machine near the station.
Spikes eye fell at once on the missing
equipment train away from which
Bill, in no very pleasant mood, was
walking when Spike stepped out CT
the machine. AS Spike advanced, Bill
looked him over contemptuously. eye
ing him from head to foot, to express
his sentiments before he spoke. Helen
and Storm came forward. Bill. with a
lowering glance, faced them. "What'ce
you doing with Seagrues machine?"
he demanded with ilsolent bluntness.
Il took it," returned Helen, TO save
the lives of three men,
You mean you stole it," exclaimed
Bill.