The Ordway new era., 1916-06-30

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man from the outfit car brought tele'
gram to Seagrues foreman. the man
known only as Bill" Bill opened
the message. His experience decipher-
ing telegraphese was not wide and he
stumbled over the penning for some
time before he finally made out the
contents:
LAS VEGAS REFUSES RIGHT CT
WAY. BRING OUTFIT INTO TOWN.
-SEAGRUE
| Bill studied the message in dismay.
1t meant good-by to all hope of patch
| ing up Seagrue's difficulties. and the
abandonment of the construction.
| Without much of an effort to break
| the fall of the unpleasant intelligence,
| Bill told the men the orders and
though they were greatly disgruntled
and dsincliued 10 do anything, he hur-
ried them along TO the job OF striking
camp.
Helen. with her companions in the
Communicated machine. was ap-
proaching Seagrues camp when the
men with her discovered that the
headquarters of the enemy looked de-
serted. Not man was anywhere in
sight around Seagrue's place. The
machinery had disappeared and the
outfit train was gone. Everywhere
were marks OF hurried departure.
Now what the blazes does that
mean" asked Rhinelander. gazing as
tonished at the deserted village.
No one could answer You don't
suppose they've quit?' mused Rhina-
lander. speaking to no one in partic-
ular.
Storm scanned the abandoned camp.
Good riddance. anyway" he NUT
tered.
Not for me-" declared Spike. dunn
founded as the others were. as he got
out OF the car. Not for me- he re-
peated. looking in every direction for
sight of Seagrue's missing equip
ment. Those guys. wherever they
are, have got my kit And just now"
he added dryly. its the only one I
happen to be carrying around with
me-"
A native son, who had been watch
| ing the cleaning up Of Seagrue's camp.
sauntered past the group. From him
| they learned that the men had gone
with his train to town. Spike appeared
| disconnected about the loss OF his be-
longings.
Don't worry" said Helen, lightly
Il can arrange that for you. l am go
ing to return the machine to Seagrue
in Las Vegas. You can get your kit
there at the same time"
Then you go with Helen" directed
Rhinelander, speaking to Storm.
He drew pad from his pocket and
wrote a note to the county recorder
asking him to deliver the certified
! copies OF the deeds desired, to Helen
| She had. meantime, gone over to theiI
| own camp with Storm. where both
Helen reappeared Rhinelander gave
her the order:
THE COUNTY RECORDER: ORIG
INAL DEEDS COVERING oUF
RIGHT OF WAY THROUGH LAS
VEGAS WERE DESTROYED BY
FIRE. PLEASE ISSUE CERTIFIED
COPIES TO BEARER. MISS HELEN
| LNI o.-NNVoo
Helen read the note and handed il
| over to Storm for safekeeping The
two got into the motor car. called
Spike. and the party started for Lai
| Vegas.
Seagrue, whose persistence was pro
verbal among those that knew him
still stuck to his arguments before tht
| cpnpci1 NIT Thav had aoair
refused his requests and the scene hat
degenerated into kind of wrangl'
| with Seagrue walking up and dowr
the room in a rage while the discus
sion went forward. 1t was only afte
the chairman had told him for the las
time there was no chance of thei
changing their minds that Seagru
gave up.
Seagrue took his hat and left tn
room. Outside, he met his friend, tn
sheriff, and into his sympathetic ear
Seagrue poured his troubles. Hi
equipment train pulled into the La
Vegas terminal about the same tim
with an angry gang of men on bcarc
Helen. driving into Las Vega!
stopped the machine near the station
Spikes eye fell at once On the missin
equipment train away from whic
Bill. in no very pleasant mood, wa
walking when Spike stepped out {
the machine AS Spike advanced. Bi
locked him over contemptucusly. ey,
ing him from head to foot, to expires
his sentiments before he spoke. Hele
, and Storm came forward. Bill. with
. lowering glance, faced them. .'What'r
, you doing with Seagrue's machine.
he demanded with insolent bluntnes
Il took it," returned Helen. ito sa,
, the lives of three men,
> You mean you stole IT," exclaime
i Bill.
/ Look here" interposed Stor1
{ mind your words, you hob3, or you
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