Charlevoix county herald., 1916-11-24


age summons from Seagrue bidding
him come to 116 Sloan alley, Las We
gas, at once.
Spike tried to pull together his dis
ordered wits. He felt in his pockets
for his money and his ticket Every
pocket was empty lie then walked
back to the station TO 90 to Vegas
anyway. The train, after changing en-.
gines, was ready to pull out. A passen-
ger brakeman espying Spike as he
ambled up, asked his destination.
I'm going west, declared Spike con-
fusedlyc
Turn around" suggested the brake
man unsympathetically.
Don't get fresh, growled Spike.
Where's your ticket?' demanded
the trainman roughly.
Lost it," returned Spike, laconic-
ally.
The conductor, accompanied by
special agent, came along. Hearing the
talk, he asked the trouble. The spc-
cial agent, listening one moment and
sizing up Spikes appearance, pulled
him forward by the collar and declared
if he ever caught him ON the right OF
way again he would stick him on
rock pile for thirty days. Spike was
incontineutly hustled off the platform
and the company detective got aboard
satisfied. A moment later the train
drew out. But Spike, watching his
chance and making a run had board
ed the end OF car and hidden under
the yestibule trap which was down.
Awaiting further opportunity he
watched until the conductor passed
through the corridor into the next
coach. Then, opening the door Spike
climbed inside and seated himself
without explanation or apology very
comfortably i'm the observation coach.
His daring move Cid not. however, cs-
cape the conductors vigilance, aud
coming back presently to demand a
ticket, the train guardian was disagree
ably surprised to find that he again
had the impudent tramp on his hands.
He once more summoned the special
agent and a wrangle ensucd Spike
declared the brakeman must have
robbed him during the night Of his
ticket and what money he had. This
assertion naturally failed of a sympa-
thetic reception, and as the train
slowed on the desert for Hclcn's sta
ton Spike was firmly escorted by
three men through the door of the
coach. Helen, when the train stopped,
was at the express car signing for the
registered package containing Rhine
lander's rightof-way contracts. She
took also the Christmas mail address ed
to the camp.
Returning to the Office, she saw the
disturbance at the steps Of the obser-
yation car, where Spike, vehemeHtly
protesting, was again about to be
hustled off the right Of way. Helen
reached the group at the very crisis,
for Spikes suriiness enhanced by his
condition, had made him an ugly Gus.
toner to handle. The special agent,
in point OF fact, was about to knock
him down and drag him out when
Helen interviewed to ask mercy for the
wretched tramp.
"Where does he want to go?' asked
Helen quickly of the conductor.
When he answered, Up the road,
and the circumstances were explained
to her, she made a plea Let him
stay on she urged. Il will pay his
fare to Baird.
Spike stared at the turn affairs had
taken. Things were getting too com
plicated when Helen Holmes could
come to his rescue. lie thought he
was dreaming until the special agent
jerkcd him away from Helen and told
Spike i'm vigorous English some of the
things he thought Of him and his kind.
Spike could in conscience do no other
than grin But he realized who had
+ interposed TO save him from beating
and he continued TO feel mixed scusa-
tions of surprise and confusion in per
ceiying that his rescuer should be
| Helen Holmes.
The conductor signaled the cab Tho
/ special agent climbed aboard and the
train pulled out When Helen turned
to go back into the station. Spike. who
had declined to board the train stood
near the door. He intercepted and
tried 10 speak TO Helen. But Helen
was almost as much afraid Of his graft
tude as she was OF his enmitv, and
tried to make light of her action and
pass on.
But Spike was serious and not to be
shaken off For the first time, as far
as he could recall, IN his life someone
persistently injured by him had Of
fcred, with none but kindly motive,
TO do him a good turn IF ever get
a chance, miss, I'll pay you back Stop
a minute. won't you? Just a minute. "
Helen reluctantly paused You don't
think mean it, muttered Spike. u
do Thank you for your kindness" lie
shamefacedly held out his grimy hand.
"Will you shaker"
Helen shrank back, but as he
stepped respectfully toward her she
hated to hurt his feelings She gave
him her hand for an instant and hur-
ried. laughing, into the Office.
Rounding the corner of tho station