The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1916-03-08
CHAPTER 4.

ened collision between q passenger train
and runaway freight
CHAPTER u. 49,.
A tight among the directors-and Q
bitter hght-had been indicated from
the moment the allotment Of the stock
issue Of the new Copper Range and,
Tidewater cut-on line was discussed.
It was not alone. that the territory Of
the proposed cut-of was rich in traf.
nc. The survey made by Holmes en-.
xtneers through q Wild country, hith.
erto reputed inaccessible, had devel-.
oped low,grade pass through the Su-
perstition mountains that would put
the Tidewater's active rival-the Colo
RADIO and Coast line-with its heavy,
grades and curves. at serious, If not
irretrievable. disadvantage, in its fight
for competitive trafilc.
General Holmes, seated in the H.
brary Of. his country. home with his
associate, Amos Rhinelauder,. took
from his morning mail letter from
John B. Rhodes. chairman Of his execu-
tive committee, which revealed the ex-
tent Of the feeling over the situation.
Holmes handed the letter to Rhine
lander Rhodes had discovered that
their competitors already had a sur
veying party out >on reconnaissance.
endeavoring to locate the Tidewater
pass; having In view the reputation
for sharp practice Of the Colorado line
hackers, he urged Holmes to keep q
close watch on the. original survey.
now. in the generals possession, until
the right Of way. should be definitely
secured. He added that with his party
Of the directors, he would arrive on q
special at noon for the informal board
meeting At which means for financing
the project we're to be arranged.
Through q complication in financial
arrangements, Holmes had been
obliged to put on his own, the Tide
water line board. q. minority group of
directors led by Rhinelander's nephew,
Seagrue and Seagrue's attorney, Ca.
pelle-Seagrue was owner Of sub
stantial interest in the Colorado, and
Coast line ITSELF Indeed, his means
were all tied up In It. It was this com.
plicati0n which caused uneasiness In
Holmes mind and called for prudence
not all those even of his own direc-
torate could be trusted, in the circum.
stances, not to connive against his in.
terest.
Seagrue had already been for the
weekend the house guest of Holmes.
He was at that moment seated in the
garden with Helen-Holmes' daughter
and Helen was being alternately
amused and bored by the patiently
forced efforts Of the fastener to- In
terest her in himself and his affairs.
More than once during his stay she
had refused to listen seriously to him
and now to annoy him, she protested
to wonder. as the blast Of . freight
engine whistle sounded at the moment
through the hills, whether that might
not be George Storm, one Of her, IA
Tiers many engineers man to
whom she had lately rendered great
and gratuitous service and about whom
Seagrue himself had once tried to twit
her. And It SO CHANGED that it really
was young Storms train running by
them for the passing track He had
orders to wait there for the directors
special. a.
Toward noon, Holmes and his guests,
together with Helen, started for the
station to meet the train. Its arrival
was the occasion Of many greetings
for Helen from old New York friends
who declared that the mountain sum
and air had wrought wonders for the
once delicate girl. So -
It Was while she stood thus on the
platform surrounded by her newly ar
rived gue4ts that ., young enginemanr
crossed the platform, cap in hand.
After slight hesitation he walked up
to. her as II he would speak. Again.
%, ii. undecided, he halted just before
Helen. She noticed thereafter grimy
appearance. of the stalwart enginenan,
obviously just from his cab, but did
not look closely enough to recognize
him. II he was pausing, 40 he stood,
for courage, It rose In him. for % her
eyes returned to him, he stepped near
Ell, to her: II think 1t was you who
saved my life the other day." he said
somewhat hsltingly. Then he ques.
tioningly held out his hand. "Will you
accept my thanks?"
The moment he spoke. Helen knew
hint was Storm, the fireman Of the
freight wreck. Indeed, she remem-
hered him almost too well. Her face