Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-05-31

Helen. looking distractedIy 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 cylinder and stood at bay.
Come another foot and I'll smash this
If it kills every one of u.s." she cried,
reckless of consequence.
Lug and Bin halted in terror-they
knew if she carried out her threat it
meant death to them all. Seagrues
was the harder nature. Throw it II
you dare" he cried, tauntingly. He
knew she would not commit suicide.
Together. boys" he shouted; rush
her.
"Seagrue.7 cried voice from the
window behind Helen, get backr
Storm had gained a hip OF the roof
commanding the room and thrusting
bis hand through the window covered
the men inside with a revolver.
helen laid her dangerous cylinder
down Storm handed her the pistol
Keep Shem covered till / 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 in.
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 hirl 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 confiseating
it. Spike and Storm, together. soon
mad the engine turning and they put
| Helen in on the seat where she had
so lately lain helpless, and drove back
with her to Rhinelander's camp, where
they found him anxiously awaiting
news 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 1t? But we're friends-arent
we, Spike?"
Spike looked at her. You're my
| friend, sure" he muttered.
! Rhinelander, 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, III help pull
the rope myself"
NO" cried Helen, whose eyes
sparkled with the fun of the puzzle.
We 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"
| Yours to carve the roast for him
yourself, interposed 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 | 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 Georgel" cried Rhinelander,
holding his hand ungrudgingly out &c
| Spike, II 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 nay 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"
Not quite interposed Storm, pull:
ing punches OF letters from each of
his pockets. Il picked EN- up before
we left the room"
ITO BE CONTINUED