Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-07-01
Copyright, 1913. BY Harper & Brothers

ment was IN no condition TO issue or
ders OF any kind. the reason being as
follows: When preparations for the
advance were made DIR. Gray who I'M
derstood perhaps more fully than any
one else except O'Neil the gravity of
the issue and the slender pivot upon
which the outcome balanced, had TAX
en- his place in the vanguard of the at
lacking party instead of in the back
ground, as be6tted bis calling. The
first rush had carried him we'll into
the fray. but once there he had shown
his good Judgment by refusing TO par
ticipate in it.
Instead he had selected Denny out of
the opposing ranks and bored through
the crowd in his direction. needless of
all efforts TO stop him. His great
strength had enabled him to gain
ground. He had hurled his assailants
aside. upsetting them, bursting through
the press as a football player pene
trates n line, and when the retreat had
begun he was close at the heels of his
victim. He had overtaken Denny be
side one or the barricades inst as
Denny seized a rife and raised it
With one wrench he possessed him
self of the weapon, and the next in
slant he had bent the barrel over its
owners head.
Then as the fight surged onward he
had gathered the limp figure in his
arms and borne it into the light of a
gasoline torch, where he could admin
lister first aid. He was kneeling over
the fellow when Appleton found him
as he came stumbling along the grade.
But the decisive moment had come
and gone now. and without a leader to
command them Gordon's men seemed
loath to adopt a more bloody reprisal.
They gave way therefore in a half
hearted hesitation that spelled ruin to
their cause. They were forced back to
their encampment.
Dan Appleton. very dirty, very tired,
but happy. found Natalie and Eliza
awaiting him when he limped up to
their tent in the early morning light.
One of his eyes was black and nearly
closed, his lips were cut and swollen.
but he grinned cheerfully as he ex-
claimed:
Say. 1t was a great night, wasn't
it?"
Eliza cried out in alarm at his ap-
pearance.
You poor kid. You're sight" She
ran for hot water and soap, while Ma
talie said warmly:
''You were perfectly splendid, Dan.
I knew you'd do it
Did you:' He tried to smile his
appreciation. but the effort resulted in
Ieer so repulsive that the girl looked
the shindy.'
Seen it. Maybe We didn't"
"Honestly?"
Did you think we could stay be-
hind? We sneaked along with the
cookhouse gang. and one of them help
ed us up on the gravel cars. He smell
cd of dishvater, but he was Il hero.
We screamed and cried and Eliza
threw stones until Mr.. O'Neil discover
ed us and made US get down. He was
awfully mean"
Hes q mean man..
He isn't, He was jumping around
on one leg like a crippled grasshopper."
Il made a thousand dollars" said
Dan. Guess what I'm going to do
with it,"
How can l guess?"
I'm going to buy ali engagement
ring" Once more he leered repul-
sively-
How NICE" said Natalie cooly.
''Congra tulations!'
Guess who it's for?"
Il couldn't, really"
It's for you"
"Oh, no, it isn't Natalie's voice
was freezing. You have made mis-
take, a very great mistake, Dan. like
you. but-we won't even mention such
things. if you please"
Eliza's entrance saved her further
embarrassment and she quickly made
her escape. Dan groaned so deeply as
his sister bathed his injuries that she
was really concerned.
Goodness, Danny" she said "Are
YOU as badly hurt as all that?'
I'm worse" he confessed. I've
lust been shot through the heart. Slow
music and flowers for me, Arrange for
the services and put a rose in my hand,
sis
Nonsense. I'll put a beefsteak on
your eye" she told him unfeelingly.
Under DR.. Gray's attention C'Neifs
ankle began W anna ny thE tAAiAN
the track had been laid far enough be
yond the crossing to insure against
further interference from Gordon he
declared himself ready to complete the
journey to Kyak. which he and the
girls had begun three weeks before
During the interval Eliza had occu-
pied herself in laying out her maya
zine stories. and now she was eager
TO complete her investigations so rs
10 begin the final writing. Her expert
ence in the north thus far had given
her an altered outlook upon the rail-
road situstion. but as yet she knew lit
tie of tie coal problem. That, after
all. was the more important subject,
and she expected it to afford her the
BASIS for a sensational exposure. She
had come to Alaska sharing her news
papers views upon questions of public
y,olirv looking yJr0u MurTay O'Naif as