The Carlisle independent., 1916-12-14


 iisaffected element in the directorate, was pushing to a vote with every pros l peet of success the resolution to stop work
 What have we got to go on?" he demanded, facing Rhinelander down. | You know as well as I do we arc throwing hundreds of thousands into i project absolutely uncertain. You of fer a telegram. What good is the | telegram? Where can Helen Holmes get a survey at an hours notice that would justify us in keeping on?"
 Beside the engine of the limited the conductor and Seagrue were volleying sharp and suspicious questions at the | fireman. He told, reluctantly, of the mysterious launch and of Storms ex- change of signals. No more was need- ed to infuriate Seagrue, who now un- derstood the connivance. Storm crawled out from under the engine epithet. The stalwart engineman l promptly knocked him down. The crew 1 dragged the two men apart and the conductor ordered the fireman to take the limited in, Storm, with folded arms, refusing to lend further as- 1 sistance. But despite his stubborn. ness the big train pulled into Ocean side just after Helen stepped from the deck of the speed launch to the dock. l She ran all the way up the esplanade, survey in hand, to where she could catch a taTicab and drove hard for tho Tidewater bAilding. There she alight. ed only to be confronted by two men -Seegrue and an officer. Seagrue pointed to Helen: There she is, i There are the documents she stole-in her hand. Arrest heri"
 Before Helen could collect her senses, the officer had seized Ter and Seagrue had snatched the survey.
 Stop" she cried, that Is my prop erty, stolen from my father l, not he, am it's rightful owner!"
 While she protested, stormed and wept tears of humiliation and anger, Seagrue was producing papers to con- vince the slow-witted official that the survey belonged to him and that Helen was the thief. In spite of all she could say, he won out. Indeed. the guardian of the law was ready to take Helen to the station when Seagrue magnani- mously interyened, told him to let her go and said he was satisfied to recover his property.
 Upstairs the directors were closing their protracted session, Rhinelander yainly trying to hold them together un- til his ally should appear. The sound of an opening door raised his hopes Helen rushed into the room and has tened to his side.
 ''The suryey-where is it ?" he cried, reading bad news in her face.
 She told him of her battle-of how she had been robbed at the very foot of what were once her fathers stairs. Everyone listened. Then half a dozen men began talking-some for, some against crediting what they had just heard
 Rhinelander put his arm around the now who has our property, gentlemen. We'll get it yet.'
 Capelle, laughing furtively, left the room to report to Seagrue. The chair. man rapped for order. Rhinelander, trying to comfort Helen, took her to her taxicab and they drove back to the launch together. Dazed, furious at her misfortune, Helen met another sur prise at the pier. Storm, awaiting her return there, helped her to alight | from the taxicab. She could only re- gard him breathlessly. He laughed in his reassuring way: Its really l." be said to her, offering his hand. 'T'm discharged-but I told the superin. tendent I might yet live long enough to discharge him. What do you think he threw back at me? hope if ever deserve it as much as you 6o, you will discharge me- I guess it was com. ing" concluded Storm good naturedly. But I've got marine license and I'm going to run your launch to Signal bay for you Got plenty of gas h the old tub, Helen21
 His robust hpmnr was infectious With Storm at the drivers wheel, they soon reached the offng in the launch and were discussing the exciting events of the night when Helen's eyes fixed on the canvas covering the deck of the boat. It was on this she had laid the blue print to dry and the i'm. pression had been definitely trans ferred. She seized her uncle's arm, pointed and explained. Rhinclander, jerking a knife from his pocket, cut the canvas from the deck and showed it to Storm, who headed the launch in great foaming circle back toward Oceanside.
 The directors were preparing to SC home when three half-crazed people dashed into their room. Rhineland. CT, Helen and Storm told theiI story and showed their find. Ex, cited in spite of themselves, the lis teners crowded about the table. They inspected, objected and argued. The ovjdouca- wac ip6ispr,fohIa and fha