The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1916-11-23

IlUtS. i NoNidh l. uhbC Stdiu JboI "hob
1t was, but anyhow Murray took ad-
vantage of it and saved the North
Pass and the S. X. and N. at the same
time.
ut was really a perfectly won
derful srroke of genius. | determined
at once that you should stop these lies
and correct the general idea that be is
In the pay OF the trust. Why, he went
to Cortez last week, and they threaten
ed his life"
Mrs. Gordon, who had listened, said
quietly: Don't blame Curtis for that.
That bloody ARRAY at Beaver canyon
has made Cortez bitter against every
one connected with the Heidlemanns."
What about this blackmailT' said
her husband, upon whose ear the word
had made a welcome impression. II
don't understand what you mean by
O'Neil's saving the North Pass and
his own road at the same time-nor
His being In hiding"
Neither DO l." Natalie confessed,
''but know you have made a mistake
that ought to be set right"
why doesn't he come out with the
TRUTH"
"The whole thing is secret"
"WhyT'
Natalie shrugged hopelessly, and
Gordon lost himself In frowning
thought.
This is amazing" he said brusquely
after q moment. Its vital. 1t affects
ali my plans. I must know everything
at once"
I'm sorry / paid so little attention"
Never mind. Try 1t again and be
diplomatic. II O'Neil won't tell you,
question Appleton. You can wind him
around your fingers easily enough. I
am sure"
The girl eyed him with a quick
change Of expression.
isn't 1t enough to know that the
trust has nothing to do with the S. II.
and NJ
"No!" he declared impatiently. 81
must know the whole inside Of this
secret understanding-this blackmail or
whatever It Is"
Then I'm sorry"
"Come! Don't be silly. You can do
me a great service"
you said you no longer disliked
Mr.. O'Neil and that he couldn't harm
you"
"Well, well! Must l explain the
why's and wherefores Of every move /
maker"
ut would be spying If l went back.
The matter Is confidential. know
that"
"Wil you do as l ask?" he de-
manded.
Natalie answered him firmly: mo! l
told you what l did tell only so hat
you might correct
"You rebel. eh?" Gordon spoke out
furiously.
He strobe angrily from the room,
leaving Natalie staring out upon the
bleak fall scene, her shoulders very
straight, her breast heaving. Gloria
did not venture to address her.
Fortunately for the peace Of all con-
cerned, Gordon left for Seattle on the
next steamer Neither of the women
believed that Natalie's fragmentary
revelation was the cause Of his depart
ure; but, once in touch with outside
affairs, he lost no time in running
down the clews he had gathered, and
1t was not long before he had learned
enough to piece the truth together.
Then be once more brought his mimeo-
graph into use.
The first winter SHOWS found O'Neil's
track laid to the bridge site and the
structure itself well begun. He had
moved his office out to the front and
10Y saw little Of Eliza, who vas
busted In writing her book. She had
had beer accepted, but she had given
him no hint as to their character.
One afternoon Happy Tom burst in
Upon his chief, having FASTENED out
from Omar On a construction train.
Drawing a Seattle paper from his
pocket, be began excitedly:
well, the fats In the fire, Murray!
Somebody has belched up the whole
North Pass story"
O'Neil seized the newspaper and
scanned 1t hurriedly. He looked up.
scowling.
who gave this out?" he inquired in
a harsh voice.
Slater shrugged. Its in the Cortez
Courier. too, SO l s'pose 1t came from
Gordon. Blessings come from one
source, and Gordon's the fountain Of
all evil. I'm getting SO l blame him
for everything unpleasant"
where did he learn the inside of
Ills deal7 By heaven. there's a leak
somewhere!
Maybe he uncovered 1t back there
In the States"
Murray shook his head. Nobody
knows anything about it except you
boys"
Then he seized the telephone at
his elbow and called DR.. Gray, while
Tom listened with his shining forehead
puckered anxiously. O'Neil hung up
with a black face.
Appleton" he said.
Tom looked, II possible, a shade
gloomier than usual. II wouldn't be