Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-02-14
CONTINUED from Last SSUrasyS

THE RAVE FUR AAGnI"OF~N -
What to do with Spike after he had
turned over he first leaf in the book OF
gratitude proved difficulty for Helen.
But st seemed to her the first thing to
he attempted was TO get him well away
from Sesgrue's influence. seagrue, with
The ample backing at his disposal, had
established an elaborate construction
camp well out on the desert. where he
coupled with his railroad building enter
prise as much of fraudulent deceit and
force as he dare display toward Rhine
lander and the men in the Copper Range
& Tidewater construction work. The prize
for which both roads were playing in the
2 tremendous effort of each TO get ahead
Of the other was substantial one and
Seagrue was never called to account al
his headquarters for his atratagy In the
construction trenches.
On the morning that Helen took Spike
down street to Las Vegas clothing store,
had him fitted out with new clothes and
pu,vided him with some pocket money,
AFagrue was on his way over to his camp,
y accompanied by the two strong-arms,
known by no more respectable names
than Bill and Lug. He saw Helen on the
street with Spike and watched the two
for n moment Dispatchins Bill then to
Lug, on his life. not to lose sight or Spike.
seagrue. himself, FASTENED to the office
OF the local sheriff. whose interest, as a
precautionary measure, he had enlisted
on his side the moment he reached the
desert.
Explaining 70 this official, already
made complacent by generous offerings.
that he had on his hands a contract
laborer who was trying 70 jump his Job,
he engaged his promise Of vigorous CO.
operation to bring Spike to time. In
fact. the sheriff offered 10 arrest him
at once.
No" objected seasTus. rs e he should
hesitate TO put a new friend TO so much
trouble Don't arrest Spike. think
l can handle him: but should like you
to be on hand to make sure. II he con-
sents to stay here and finish his work
you may let him aLone--understandT
The sheriff nodded companionably. and
seagrue led the way with him to the ma
chine, which Bill had brought up. and
getting in with the sheriff Bill drove
toward the station. Helen had returned
with Spike to the office. she had paid
for a railroad ticket which was to carry
him to the city, where. she believed,
freed from Seagrue's concentrating in-
fluence Spike would have n chance to
get back on his feet. And having said
good-by to Spike on the platform and
NSodged his thanks as much as she could.
she hurried into the office 10 prepare to
meet the incoming train
Spike. in a comfortable frame q mind.
was looking down at the ticket in his
hand and rejecting what an extraordl-
nary friend Helen had been and how
considerably she had treated him, when
quiet voice at his elbow spoke just
two words into his ear;
Hello. Spike!''
Spike, who lived, as Il were. at all
times over a powder magazine of the un-
expected, started a little and turned to
look into the composed gray eyes OF Sea-
srue. He stood a moment bound by
their spell. Something in them seemed
to chil and wither all the good reso-
lutions he had taken to break away Cor
good and all from his lawless associates
and get back TO the square as he ma 4
said he wanted to do.
Seagrue's face was lighted only by a
pleasant smile. Where you going,
Spike?' he asked in friendly fashion.
It seemed to Spike as IL through sorue
irresistible force his feet were nailed TO
the spot where they rested. He looked
about him with INDIGESTION. and as his
eyes wandered he saw seagrue beckon-
ing to the sheriff to come over from
the machine.
The mere sight OF a sheriff raised in
Z, Spikes memory an extremely disagree
able picture.
seagrue, meantime. put his hand in his
pocket. From II he drew a worn little
pamphlet, and after careful elaboration,
held il in his hand before Spikes waver-
Ing eyes. In the biack-faced type on the
cover a name and description were
printed. but what Spike saw staring him
we're the figures and the word:
$4,000 REWARDS"
But to Spike that one line Of type
meant Infinitely more than II could mean
to any other man.
Seagrue watched closely the changing
J. expressions en- the hunted criminals face;
he was even quiet and pleasant in his
aemeanor as he muttered: You shouldn't
ny to leave me. Spike. AZ least. not until
| say you may go"
Something OF hatred and aversion for
the man whom he had served 50 long
and in so EVIL a fashion, famed I'D IN
Spikes heart
"seagrue." he almost Kissed, II can
send you to the chair; man-do you know
that?"
seagrue lost none Of his eonposure. He
returned Spikes angry look undisturbed:
DO you know what win happen when
YOU dor he asked In even tones. After
they lift me out OF It. they'll lift you in
for the next shock. Spike. When you're
4 reS1y to commit suicide. I'm ready 10 60
- the straps ahead OF you or after you
that's as the sheriff may prefer. But
until that moment comes. Spikes
threatening intonation made itself felt
\ with the studied uttersnce-''until that
moment. spike. you viii take your orders
from me-understand?"
ssike looked gloomily down at the
y --~.-----'