The Carlisle independent., 1916-12-07
COPYRIGHT ISIS. .Y RANK < SHERMAN

the other end of the library. He could overhear Rhinelanders reassuring words to Helen. The Copper Range and Tidewater will continue opera tions just as fast as money can be raised, his uncle was saying. we can begin the work of building the cutoff where it leaves the main line. Meantime, we will send out new sur veying parties on reconnaissance to try to relocate the pass through the Super stition range. All may come well yet, little girl"
 He patted her hand, rose and left her. Seagrue at a distance studied the outline of the slender figure and the striking silhouette of Helen's head and neck as she stood looking out on the rain-beaten landscape He walked over to where she remained oblivious to his presence and ven tured few carefully chosen words of sympathy. Nothing so despicable, so pusillanimous as this had ever marked his career, but he had groomed him. self for anything.
 T am in a position, Helen," he went on, perhaps a better position than any among your fathers friends, to take up his work where he left it off His murderers are in jail-I will undertake to see to their punishment. His new line can be made valuable property. l am willing and able to provide the means to put it through. But I am alone, as you know. l care for no one other than you've told you that Let me take your troubles. Be my wife" !"
 T have told you,' she said, look ing down but speaking quick and firm ly, that l cant listen to you on that subject. Could you possibly expect me to do so at a moment like this-my father" her voice faltered-"scarce- ly buriedi"
 She put her handkerchief to her face and walked away Swallowing his hu- initiation with resolve to conquer her obstinacy yet, he followed her with his gaze up the stairs. Then he sauntered over to the table at which she had been conferring with his uncle. There lay the bundle of stock certificates. He felt so completely master of the situa- tion that he involutarily made a ges- ture as if to tear the batch in two.
 Rhinelander, coming into the library at that moment from his room, saw the movement. He took the securities inn patiently from Seagrue's hand. You treat these as if they were waste pa n,, if l have my way that cutoff is going to be built" he declared emphatically.
 Leaving him, Rhinelander went up- stairs to find Helen Put these cer- tificates away, my dear" he said with seriousness. Although they don't stand for much now" he paused some day I may call on you for them
 Seagrue, laughing little to himself had turned, when his uncle walked away, to light cigarette. As he did this servant approached him bearing shabby-looking, finger-marked note. It bore no address.
 Seagrue opened the envelope and read:
 Somebody will have to help me out of here or I'll squeal. No more at present from SPIKE"
 It was a blunt shock. But Seagrue knew from what Capelle, his lawyer, had told him. that this man meant always what he said. He pondered his dilemma for a time, decided what must be done, asked servant for his hat and coat and hastening out headed his car for Cedar Grove, where Spike and Hyde lay incarcerated. Ar ranging by telephone as soon as he reached the little town for meeting with Capelle, Seagrue inquired his way to the prison
 The jailer had brought Spike his monday meal--a dish of stew, loaf of soggy bread and tin of coffee and Spike was settling himself on his iron cot when Seagrue, with the jailer, entered his cell
 Greetings passed between Seagrue and Spike as they met and the two exchanged few bluffing remarks, cal culated to mislead the listening off, cial. But Spikes rowing eyes riveted themselves gradually on the bunch of dangling keys carried by the jailer in his hand. When the jailer looked his way, the bullet head of Spike was down and his eyes were fixed on the loaf of heavy bread from which he was tearing great chunks to eat A thought had come into his head and if it could be successfully acted on, it of fered faint hope of escape. Watch ing his opportunity, he managed after some effort to make Seagrue under stand what he wanted, i. e., that he should occupy for while the jailer's attention.
 In the meantime, while Spikes iron jaw was grinding at chunk of the crust, he was tearing out the center of the loaf of bread with his hand and kneading the dough thus filched within his palm. Seagrue made good and without much trouble