Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-01-03
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER H.
A fight among the directors-and a Bit
ter fight-had been indicated from the
moment the allotment OF the stock issue
Of the new Copper Range and Tidewater
cutoff line wss discussed. II was not
alone that the territory OF the proposed
cutoff was rich in traffic. The survey
made by Holmes engineers through
wild country. hitherto reputed inaccessi-
BILE, had developed n low-gtade pass
through the Superstition mountains that
would put the Tidewater's active rival
the Colorado and Coast line-wlth its
heavy grades and curves. at a serious. II
not irretrieyable. disadvantage, In lis
fieht for competitive traffic.
General Holmes, seated In the library
Of his country home with his associate.
Amos Rhinelander. took from his morn
ing mail letter from John b. Rhodes.
chairman Of his executive committee.
which revealed the extent OF the feeling
over the situation. Holmes handed the
letter to Rhinelander. Rhodes had dis
covered that their competitors already
had surveying party out on recon
Nuisance. endeavoring 10 locate the Tide
water pass; having In view the reputation
for sharp practice OF the Colorado line
hackers. he urged Holmes TO keep
close watch on the original survey, now
in the generals possession. until the
right-of-way should be definitely secured.
lie added that with his party OF the d.
rectors. he would arrive on n special at
noon for the Informal board meeting, at
which plans for financing the project
were TO be arranged.
Through complication I'm financial ar
rannsments. Holmes had been obliged TO
pat on his own. the Tidewater line board.
a minority group OF directors led by
Rhineander's nephew. Seagrue, and Sea-
grre's attorney, Capelle-Seagrue was
owner OF a substantial interest I'm the
Colorado and Coast line itself. Indeed.
his means were all tied up In II. 1t was
this complication which caused uneasl-
ness in Holmes mind and called for
prudence-not all those even OF his own
directorate could be trusted in the cir
curstances. not to connive against hts
IN e~es'.
ses grre Rad already been for the week
en5 { no sc guest of Holmes. He was
~ ttat moment seated IN the garden with
Hel n--fiolmes daughter-and Helen was
teing alternately amused and bored by
tn nr'ontiv forced efforts OF the east
e.~~~ 20 'n'-rest her in himself and his
~ all r'cr- thon once during his stay
src N~s refr-ed to- listen seriously TO
hi aus nov 20 annoy him. she pro-
fease % wonder. as the blast OF a freight
er~ire 'vN'st'o sounded ~ the moment
thro.eh ~ -iHs whether that might
not he ce@-~e Storm. one of her fathers
m~rv c~~i~e era--n ran 70 whom she
had latel" re-s~r,A . great and gratui-
fiors se--Hco ~nd ehout whom SeaRru4
hien,ls hrd or - t-'cd q twit her And
n so Glanced fao. /. really was young
storr-s trni~ rrrnlnG by them for the
passing track He had orders TO wait
there for the directors special
Toward noon. Holmes and his guests.
together with Helen. started for the sta
lion TO meet the train. It's arrival was
the occasion Of many greetings for Helen
from old New York friends who de-
clared that the mountain sun and air had
wrought wonders for the once delicate
girl.
II was while she stood thus on the plat
form surrounded by her newly arrived
guests that young engineman crossed
the platform, cap In hand. After slight
hesitation he walked up TO her as n he
would speak. Again. as II undecided. he
halted Just before Helen. She noticed
the rather Rrimy appearance Of the stall
wsrt engineman. obviously Just from his
cab. but did not look closely enough 20
recognize him. II he was pausing. as he
stood. for courage. II rose in him, for as
her eyes returned 20 him. he stepped
nearer 20 her; II think Il was you who
saved my life the other day." he said
somewhat haltingiy. Then he question
lngly held out his hand. own you accept
my thanksg"
The moment he spoke. Helen knew him
Iii was Storm. the fireman. OF the freight
wreck. Indeed. she remembered him al
most too well. Her, face flushed with
embarrassment. Her guests. without
catching what he had said. were critically
inspecting the smoked engineer. Some
thing like a wave OF resentment swept
over Helen why should he choose this,
OF all moments. 20 speak 10 herr She
was quite innocent OF false pride; but her
friends could not possibly understand the
situation and Storm with real western
impulsiveness had chosen. e seemed the
NEST inopportune time possible TO express
his gratitude.
But there was his outstretched hand
should she ignore it7 Anger swayed her
yet something within her. ana some
thing in storms eyes and his manner
pleaded against cutting him dead. with
furiously red checks. but sweeping aside
the cost. Helen put out her hand. TT
was nothing" she said quickly. DO
not think OF e." Then she repaid
storms impulsive stupidity. as she
thought It deserved. by catching at some
thing seagrue was saying and fail.
ing 10 see Storm again. The engineer
had come up prepared really 10 say how
erately he was: he founo himself, In 3
neetinz second. already well launched
on the social toboggan and shooting
toward the bottom OF a long hill. seagrue
almost before storms back was turned
was laughing AZ Helen and pointing TO
her glove. The white. soft kid now
bore beyond repair the heavy black
fInwer prints OF the enEineman's hand.
Questions and bantering from her COM
panlona contributed nothing toward re-
storing Heien's composure. But as the
group moved % the waiting motor cars
she unostentatiously drew the offending