Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-05-03
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returned and sat examining reports at
the other end of the library. He could
overhear Rhinelander's reassuring
words to Helen. "The Copper Range
and Tidewater will continue opera.
lions just as fast as money can be
raised" his uncle was saying. I'VE
can begin the work of building the
cutoff where it leaves the main line.
Meantime, we will send out new sur
veying parties on reconnaissance to try
to relocate the pass through the Super
stition range. All may come well yet,
little girl
He patted her hand, rose and left
her. Seagrue at a distance studied
the outline of the slender figure and
the striking silhouette of Helen's
head ant. neck as she stood looking
out on the Tain-beaten landscape He
walked over to where she remained
oblivious to his presence and ven
tured a few carefully chosen words OF
sympathy. Nothing so despicable, so
pusillanimous as this had ever marked
his career, but he had groomed him
self for anything.
Il am in a position, Helen, he went
on, perhaps better position than any
among your fathers friends, to take
up his work where he left it off. His
murderers are in Jail will undertake
to sec to their punishment. His new
line can be made valuable property.
I rtyfllf md oh 70 4, I,a
means to put it through. But l am
alone, as you know. l care for no one
other than you've told you that Let
me take your troubles. Be my wife. -
Il have told you" she said, look
ing down but speaking quick and firm
ly, that l can't listen to you on that
subject Could you possibly expect NE
to do so at a moment like this-my
father" her voice scarce.
ly buried"
She put her handkerchief to her face
and walked away. Swallowing his hui
initiation with a resolve to conquer her
obstinacy yet, he followed her with his
gaze up the stairs. Then he sauntered
over to the table at which she had
been comforting with his uncle. There
lay the bundle of stock certificates. He
felt SO completely master of the situa-
ton that he involutarily made a ges-
ture as if to tear the batch in two.
Rhinelander, coming into the library
at that moment from his room, saw the
movement He took the securities inn
patiently from Seagrue's hand. You
treat these as if they were waste pa
per. They are not. o. the contrary,
If have my way that cutoff is going
to be built" he declared emphatically.
Leaving him, Rhinelander went up
stairs to find Helen. Put these GER
tidcates away, my dear he said with
seriousness. Although they don't
stand tor much now" he paused
"some day may call on you for
them"
Seagrue. laughing a little to himself
had turned. when his uncle walked
away, to light a cigarette. AS he did
this a servant approached him bearing
a shabby-looking, flnger-marked note,
1t bore no address.
Seagrue opened the envelope ans
read:
Somebody will have to help ne OFT
of here or I'll sIueal. No more at
present from SPIKE"
1t was blunt shock. But Seagrue
knew from what Capelle, his lawyer,
had told him, that this man meant
always what he said He pondered
his dilemma for a time, decided what
must be done, asked a servant for
his hat and coat and Fastening out
headed his car for Cedar Grove, where
Spike and Hyde lay incaTcerated. Ar
ranging by telephone as soon as he
reached the little town for a meeting
with Capelle, Seagrue inquired his
way to the prison.
The jailer had brought Spike his
MONDAY meal-a dish OF stew, loaf
of soggy bread and a tin of coffee
and Spike was settling himself on his
iron cot when Seagrue, with the jailer,
entered his cell.
Greetings passed between Seagrue
and Spike as they met and the two
exchanged few blufing remarks, cal
culated to mislead the listening OFF,
cial. But Spikes rowing eyes riveted
themselves gradually on the bunch of
jangling keys carried by the jailer in
his hand. When the jailer looked his
way, the bullet head of Spike was
down and his eyes were fixed on the
loaf of heavy bread from which he was
tearing great chunks to eat. A thought
had come into his head and if it
could be successfully acted on. it Of
fered a faint hope of escape. Watch
ing his opportunity. he managed after
some effort to make Seagrue under
stand what he wanted. i. e., that he
should occupy for while the iailer's
attention.
In the meantime, while Spikes iron
jaw was grinding at chunk Of the
crust, he was tearing out the center
of the loaf of bread with his hand
and kneading the dough thus flched
within his palm. Seagrue made good
confederate, and without much trouble
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