Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-07-12
THIRTEENTH INSTALLMENT
A FIGHT FOR A FORTUNE

A bright morning sun beat down in
winter warmth on the Superstition
mine. Near the mouth of the tun-
mel stood Amos Rhinelander, now sole
owner of the property, giving orders
to his foreman. At the loading plat
form not far away George Storm was
bantering with Helen Holmes. 1t was
the day after her hazardous flight
down the aerial railway, but she
looked as refreshed and charming as
If she had never known the meaning
of the word trouble.
George Storm, her companion. stall
wart and young, was disputing with
Helen for the possession Of a pocket
mirror he had filched from her van
aty bag, when Rhinelander ap-
preached q am afraid am de trop
here" he said dryly. looking from one
TO the other
Helen's brows arched in feigned
amazement. What do you mean?"
she asked innocently.
He looked with shade of suspicion
at her and at Storm. Il feared this
might be an intrusion" He threw
the slightest bit of raillery into his
words. "You two" he added. seemed
go deeply engaged"
Helen flushed the least bit. Why,
not at all, she disclaimed. I'VE were
only waiting for the team to come
back from Valley
And you found it easier to wait to-
gether,' continued Rhinelander, un-
abashed. However" he went on,
sparing the manifest embarrassment
of the young couple, I've something
to say to each of you"
They looked at him questioningly.
He held two papers in his hand.
Helen" he continued, yesterday
completed, think, pretty thorough
ly, my title to the Superstition mine.
/ never expect to get any stronger
claim on a piece of property than
now have on this. Unless" he added,
Quizzically, ito my lot in the home
cemetery after ! occupy it perma-
nently. In fact"-his face lighted with
a smiIe-''it looked awhile yesterday
as if l shouldn't have any real use
for that even. / certainly thought,
George he said, speaking to Storm,
while we were trapped In the tunnel,
the Superstition mine itself would be
our last resting place. But while we
were relocating that big vein you,
Helen, were getting without the loss
of a minute the help necessary to
bring US out alive
That is one reason" he went on,
deliberately, why have decided over
night to convey to you, little girl, with
my compliments and best wishes, a
certificate for one-third the capital
stock of this property" He handed
her a paper. Here it is"
Helen regarded him with astonish-
ment. She took tine paper because he
had thrust it into her hand-not be-
cause she was able to speak or to
move from where she stood rooted in
surprise.
But that is not the only reason I'm
doing it," continued Rhinelander.
Your father, Helen. was my best
friend. When | lost him, lost half
the backing / ever had in life. But
it seems, when think of the way you
have stood by me in all the trouble
I've had since his death, that you must
have been raised up to take his place.
If / gave you the whole mine, it
wouldn't be too much for what | owe
you over and over again.
Helen could only protest that 1t was
not right and thar he owed her moth
ing. To all her appeals, not to do
what he was doing, he turned a deaf
ear NO" he persisted. It know
what you are entitled to. Say no
more
''George"-he turned to his assist
ant-"you, too, have stood by me at
every turn of the road since l went
into this cutoff fght- You lost your
Job with the Tidewater line through
sticking to me. | could have got you
reinstated-you know that, of course.
as well as do. But there was a lit
tie selishness, l admit, in my not do
ing so. felt you could be of more
aid to me on the front; and my ex-
pectations have not in a single in
stance been disappointed.
Il don't expect to spend all my
life in this country. / shall have to
leave behind me. when | go East,
someone to represent my interests
and to guard them. The great wealth
that has come to me in this property
has come over night. l wasn't suf-
fering for money before l owned it.
But l want the man who stands, out
in this country, for the interests of
Amos Rhinelander to have a substan-
fial monetary backing outside his
care of my affairs. This is why,
George, l am presenting TO you in this
certificate. a second one-third of the
capital stock of the Superstition
mine. Now" be exclaimed, putting