Charlevoix county herald., 1916-11-24

erred to the Machine.
| Seagrue was not for an instant to be
,werved from his purpose. Get that
whelp, he shouted pointing at Spike.
! III look out for the girl"
Albeit with the poor stomach, Lug
and Bill attacked the powerful outlaw.
Helen, looking distractedly for a
weapon of defense, saw the explosive
cylinders. A blow struck by Lug from
! behind had stunned Spike. He lay
helpless and the three men turned to
secure Helen. STOPPING swiftly, she
picked up cylinder and stood at bay.
Come another foot and I'll smash this
4 it kills every one of us, she cried,
reckless OF consequence.
Lug and Bill halted in terror-they
| knew If she carried out her threat ii
meant death to them all. Seagrue's
was the harder nature. Throw it IL
you dare" he cried, tauntingly. HS-
knew she would not commit suicide.
| Together, boys" he shouted; rush
her"
"Seagrue," cried a voice from the
window behind Helen, get back"
/ Storm had gained a hip of the roof
commanding the room and thrusting
his hand through the window covered
! the men inside with revolver
! Helen laid her dangerous cylinder
down. Storm handed her the pistol.
Keep them covered till l get in,
/ ielen!"
The window proved difficult to ne.
| gotiate. Storm tried to drop inside
from it, and Helen turned to help him.
In doing SO, she lett the three an in.
slant uncovered. They sprang through
! the door and down the stairs. Lug
and Bill made. for the car. No." shout.
ed Seagrue, hide"
Helen and Storm bent over Spike.
He lay dazed. When he was able to
help himself little and with their
aid could rise to his feet, they sup
ported him downstairs.
Their enemies were nowhere to be
seen. But in the roadway stood Sea-
grues machine. No member of the
party had scruple about confscating
it. Spike and Storm, together, soon
nad the engine turning and they put
Helen in on the seat where she had
so lately lain helpless, and drove back
with her to Rhinelander's camp, where
they found him anXiously awaiting
news of his ENDANGERED protegee.
He greeted the sight of Helen with
rejoicing, but his features darkened
when his eyes fell on the redoubtable
Spike. Helen and Storm, enjoying the
mystery of the situation, allowed the
amazement on Rhinelander's face to
grow, as he looked from them to Spike,
and from Spike to Helen and Storlo
for an explanation.
Yes cried Helen, laughing at her
foster uncle, Il know it looks strange,
! TO see US three in friendly company,
doesn't it? But we're friends-aren't
we, Spike?"
Spike looked at her. You're my
! friend, sure" he muttered.
Rhinelander, incredulous, pointed at
Spike. Have you brought him here
to hang him." he exclaimed. If that
fellow had anything to do with steal
ing you from the train, I'll help pull
! the rope myself.
NO" cried Helen, whose eyes
sparkled with the fun of the puzzle.
I'VE didn't bring him here to hang
him. We brought him here to eat the
best Sunday dinner you ever served
in a construction camp"
You're to carve the roast for him
/ yourself interposed Storm.
You've both gone crazy" declared
Rhineiander weakening.
No" persisted Helen, instead of
Spikes being to blame for my disap-
| pearance, I'm afraid | should never
have lived to see you again. Uncle
Amos, if he hadn't been my friend in
need today" And she and Storm,
each constantly breaking in on the
other, told the days story
by George!" cried Rhinelander,
holding his hand ungrudgingly out to
/ Spike, Il believe there's something
decent in your worthless carcass after
all. Spike. You are entitled to a good
dinner And you shall eat IL with me,
you blamed rascal Go clean you self
up and report at my car within an
hour, he said roughly. by the way,
Helen" he turned suddenly on his
foster niece: Those right-of.way con-
tracts?"
Here, Uncle Amos" she exclaimed.
She drew from her blouse the regis
tered package. But the Christmas
mail for the camp was stolen by those
brutes! It's lost"
Not quite, interposed Storm, pull.
ing punches OF letters from each of
his pockets. Il picked EN- up before
we left the room"
ITO BE CONTINUED)