The Ordway new era., 1916-05-05
CHAPTER u.

A fight among the directors-and c
bitter fght-had been Indicated from
the moment the allotment of the stocH
issue of the new Copper Range and
Tidewater cutoff line was discussed
1t was not alone that the territory OF
the proposed cutoff was rich in traf
fic. The survey made by Holmes en-
gineers through wild country, hith,
erto rep6ted inaccessible, had devel
opcd bw-grade pass through the Su.
perstitYbn mountains that would put
the Ti3ewater's active rival-the Colo
RADIO and Coast line-with its heavy
grade3 and curves, at serious, If not
irretri evab,e, disadvantage. in its fight
for competitive traffic.
Ge9eral Holmes. seated in the Il
brar, of his country home with his
associate. Amos Rhinelander. took
frou3 his morning mail a letter from
Joh& B. Rhodes. chairman Of his exec1-
tfye committee. which revealed the eE-
teht OF the feeling over the situation
Holmes handed the letter to R.liae-
nder. Rhodes had discovered that
kheir competitors alrscly had a sur
Iveying party n.t on reconnaissance.
endeayoripx TO locate the Tidevatsr
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. He added that with his party
of the directors. he would arrive on a
special at noon for the informal board
meeting at which means for financing
the project were to be arranged.
Through a complication in financial
arrangements. Holmes had been
obliged to put on his own. the Tide
water line board. minority group OF
directors led by Rhinelander's nephew.
Seagrue and Scagrue's attorney, Ca
pelle-Seagrue was owner of a sub
stantial interest in the Colorado and
Coast line itself. Indeed, his means
were all tied up in it. 1t WIS this COM
piication 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 easterner 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 professed
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
theirs many engineers man to
whom she had lately rendered a great
and gratuitous service and about whom
Seagrue himself had once tried to twit
her. And it so chanced that it really
was young Storms train running 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
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 sun
and afr had wrought wonders for the
once delicate girl.
It Was while she stood thus on the
platform surrounded by her newly ar
rived guests that young engineman
crossed the platform, cap in hand. |
After slight hesitation he walked up
10 her az II he would speak. Again,
- II undecided. he halted just before
Helen She noticed the rather grimy
lppearancs OF the staiwart engineman,
,bviousIy just from his cab, but did |
act bok closely enough to recognize |
ailR If hA wAs pausing. as he stood,
~ ccaraes. 4 rose In him. for as her |
I96e rUtuxned - him. he stepped near
N ~ her: Il think 1t was you. who
1e1 ~ life the other day." he said
1tswkat haltinsly. Then he ques-
in4aS1y held ont his hand. .wIll you
~ thankaf''
& ~ he spoke. Helen knew
Nl4 A31sm. tho fireman of the
lnAes1 - ren,em
W - 80 ~ 49,