Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1916-04-28
EIGHTH INSTALLMENT
THE RACE FOR RIGHT OF WAY

turned over his first leaf in the book
of gratitude proved a difficulty for
Helen. But it seemed to her the first
thing to be attempted was to get him
we'll away from Seagrue's influence.
Seagrue, with the ample backing at
his disposal, had established an elabO-
rate construction camp well out on
the desert, where he coupled with his
railroad building enterprise as much
of fraudulent deceit and force as he
dare display toward Rhinelander and
the men in the Copper Range & Tide
water construction work. The prize
for which both roads were playing
in the tremendous effort of each to
get ahead of the other was sub
stantial one, and Seagrue was never
called to account at his headquarters
for his strategy in the construction
trenches.
On the morning that Helen took
Spike down street to a Las Vegas
clothing store, had him fitted out with
new clothes and provided him with
some pocket money, Seagrue was on
his way over to his camp, accom-
panied by the two strong-arms,
known by no more respectable names
than Bill and Lug. He saw Helen on
the street with Spike and watched the
two for a moment. Dispatching Bill
then to the garage for his motor car
and bidding Lug, ON his life, not to
lose sight of Spike, Seagrue, himself,
fastened to the Office of the local
sheriff.
Explaining to this official, already
ferings, that he had on his hands
contract laborer who was trying to
jump his job, he engaged his promise
of vigorous cooperation to bring
Spike to time.
Seagrue led the way with him to
the machine, which Bill had brought
up, and, getting in with the sheriff,
Bill drove toward the station. Helen
had returned with Spike to the office,
she had paid for a railroad ticket
which was to carry him to the city,
where, she believed, freed from Sea-
would have a chance to get back on
bis feet.
Spike, in a comfortable frame Of
mind, was looking down at the ticket
in his hand and rejecting what an ex-
traordinary friend Helen had been,
and how considerably she had treated
him, when a quiet voice at his elbow
spoke just two words into his ear:
Hello, Spike!"
Spike, who lived, as it were, at all
times over powder magazine of the
unexpected, started a little as he
turned to look into the composed gray
eyes of Seagrue. He stood a moment
bound by their SPELL
Seagrue's face was lighted only by
pleasant smile. Where you going,
Spike?" he asked in friendly fashion.
He looked about him with indecision,
and as his eyes wandered he saw Sea-
grue reckoning to the sheriff to come
over from the machine
Seagrue, meantime, put his hand in
his pocket. From it he drew a worn
little pamphlet, and affecting careful
deliberation, held it in his hand before
Spikes wavering eyes. In the black
faced type on the cover a name and
description were printed, but what
Spike saw staring at him were the fig
ures and the words:
$4,000 REWARD"
But to Spike that one line of type
meant infinitely more than it could
mean to any other man.
Seagrue watched closely the chang
ing expressions or the hunted Grim
inaps face; he was even quiet and
pleasant in his demeanor as he NUT
tered: You shouldn't try to leave me,
Spike. At least, not until I say you
may co.
"Seagrue," Spike almost Kissed, II
can send you to the chair; man-do
you know that?"
Seagrue lost none of his composure.
He returned Spikes angry look undis.
'turbed: do you know what will hap.
pen when you do?" he asked in even
tones. After they lift me out OF it.