The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1916-01-20
CHAPTER n.

bitter ight-had been indicated from
che moment the allotment of the stock
issue of the new Copper Range and
Tidewater cutoff line was discussed.
II was not alone that the territory of
the proposed cutoff was rich in traf-
fc. The survey made by Holmes en-
gineers through a wild country, hith-
erto reputed inaccessible, had devel-
oped a low-grade pass through the SD
perstition mountains that would put
the Tidewater's active rival-rthe Colo
RADIO and Coast line-with it's heavy
grades and curves, at a serious. II not
irretrievable, disadvantage, in it's fight
for competitive traffic.
General Holmes, seated In the IL
Ssary of his country home with his
associate. Amos Rhinelander, took
from his morning mail q letter from
John B. Rhodes, chairman of his execu-
tive committee, which revealed the ex-
tent of the feeling over the situation.
Holmes handed the letter to Rhine
lander. Rhodes had discovered that
their competitors already had a sur
veying party out on reconnaissance.
endeavoring to locate the Tidewater
pass; having in view the reputation
for sharp practice Of the Colorado line
hackers. he urged Holmes to keep a
close watch on the original survey,
o In the generals possession, until
the right OF way should be definitely
secured. He added that with his party
of the directors. he would arrive on a
special at noon for the informal board
meeting at which means for financing
the project were to be arranged.
Through a complication in financial
arrangements. Holmes had beer
obliged to put on his own, the Tide
water line board, q minority group Of
directors led by Rhineiander's nephew
Seagrue and Seagrue's attorney, Ca
peiie-Seagruc was owner of a sub
stantial interest In the Colorado ant
Coast line itself. Indeed, his means
were all tied up In 1t. II was this com
plication which caused uneasincss IL
Holiness mind and called for prudcnc,
not all those even of his own direc
torate could be trusted, in the circum
stances, not to connive against his in
terest,
Seagrue Ehad already been for thu
weekend the house guest of Holmes
He was at that moment seated In TIL,
garden with Helen-Holmes' daughter
and Helen was being alternately
amused and bored by the patiently
forced efforts of the fastener to In
terest her in himself and his affairs
More than once during his stay SHE
had refused to listen seriously to hin
and o to annoy him, she ~professet
to wonder. as the blast, Of a freight
engine whistle sounded ut the moment
through the hills. whether that might
not be George Storm, one of her ia
Tiers many ~engineers-a a Il
whom she had lately rendered a great
and gratuitous service and about whom
Seagrue himself had once tried to twit
her. And 1t SO CHANGED that it really
was young Storms train running by
them for the passing track. He hat
orders to wait there for the directors
special.
Toward noon. Holmes and his guests
together with Helen, started for tn,
station to meet the train. It's arriva
was the occasion of many greeting.
for Helen from old New York friend.
who declared that the mountain sur
and air had wrought wonders for the
once delicate girl.
IL was while she stood thus on the
platform surrounded by her newly ar
rived guests hat q young enginemar
crossed the platform, cap In hand
After q slight hesitation he walked uI
to her az II he would speak. Again
as II undecided. he halted Just before
Helen. She noticed the rather grimy
appearance OF the stalwart engineman
obviously Just from his cab, but did
not look closely enough to recognize
him. II he was pausing, az he stood
for courage, It rose In him, for az her
eyes returned to him. he stepped near
er to her: Il think 1t was you who
saved my life the other day." he said
somewhat haltinsly. Then he Ques-
t3oninsly held cut his hand. win you
accept my t1hpnks7
Tho moEhent he spoke. Helen Knew
hint was Storm. the fireman Of the
frdzxhkl - Indeed. she remem.