Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-06-21

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 disinclined to do anything, he hur-
ried them along to the job of striking
camp. While they were at this work
one man remembered Seagrues ma
chine and asked who had it. 1t was
gone, but no one seemed to know
where Nor did anything in the tracks
showing how it had been taken from
camp afford any explanation. When
the facts were reported to Bill, he told
the sleuths to forget it" and hurried
the breaking up to such a conclusion
that the train was soon ready to start
for town.
| Helen, with her companions in the
Communicated machine, was ap-
preaching Seagrue's 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 a 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?" unused Rhine
lander speaking to no one in partic-
, ular.
Storm scanned the abandoned camp.
Good radiance, anyway" he NUT
| tered.
Not for me-" declared Spike, dunn
founded as the others were, as he got
out of the car. mot 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 l
happen to be carrying around with
me-
A native son, who had been watch
ing the cleaning up of Seagrues camp,
sauntered past the group. From him
they learned that the men had gone
with his train to town. Spike appeared
disconnected about he loss of his be-
longings.
Don't worry" said Helen, lightly,
Il can arrange that for you. l am &c.
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, tic
get the copies of the deeds. I'll stay
here in camp to push the work while
the pushing's good"
He drew a pad from his pocket and
wrote note to the county recorder,
asking him to deliver the certified
copies of the deeds desired, to Helen.
She had, meantime, gone over to their
own camp with Storm, where both
changed for the ride into town. When
Helen reappeared Rhinelander gave
her the order:
THE COUNTY RECORDER: ORIG
lNAL DEEDS COVERING OUR
RIGHT OF WAY THROUGH LAS
VEGAS WERE DESTROYED BY
FIRE. PLEASE ISSUE CERTIFIED
COPIES TO BEARER, MISS HELEN
HoLMES.-AMos RHINELANDER.
Helen read the note and handed it
over to Storm for safekeeping. The
| ffun nj hn
Spike, and the party started for Las
Vegas. Rhinelander turned to his work
of urging the men to make time while
they were unopposed.
Seagrue, whose persistence was pro-
verbal among those that knew him,
still stuck to his arguments before the
council committee. They had again
refused his requests and the scene had
degenerated into a kind of wrangle
with Seagrue walking up and down
the room in rage while the discus
sion went forward. 1t was only after
the chairman had told him for the last
time there was no chance of their
changing their minds that Seagrue
gave up.
while Rhinelander's agreement ex-
lists" declared the chairman finally,
I'VE must refuse your demand"
Seagrue took his hat and left the
room. Outside, he met his friend, the
sheriff, and into his sympathetic ears
Seagrue poured his troubles. His
equipment train pulled into the Las
Vegas terminal about the same time
with an angry gang of men on board.
Helen, driving into Las Vegas,
stopped the machine near the station.
Spikes eye fell at once on the missing
equipment train away from which
Bill. in no very pleasant mood, was
walking when Spike stepped out of
the machine. AS Spike advanced, Bill
looked him over CONTEMPORARY, eye
ing him from head to foot, to express
his sentiments before he spoke. Helen
and Storm came forward. Bill, with a
lowering glance, faced them. "What're
you doing with Seagrue's machine?"
he demanded with insolent bluntness.
Il took it," returned Helen, ito save
the lives of three men,
You mean you stole it," exclaimed