Omaha daily bee., 1916-01-17

solved to seize moment while the
poine was good to forward himself with
Helen
| She was studing the telltale print when
she heard footsteps and, startled, look
out. seagrue was coming up the plat
form. She felt frightened. Could he pos
sibly have realized his blunder and come
to demand the return OF the picture
Her wits rapidly cleared. She snatched
the photograph. seagrue, opening inc
door, caught her, picture IN hand. lie
walked forward pleased. 1t was not hard
for Helen to counterfeit an embarrass-
ment nor was II in the least unbecoming
to her. To Seagrue her look came IKE
a burst of sunshine after many chilling
storms. What do you think Of my con-
struction headquarters?' he laughed.
Helens gaze rested modestly on her
table. She seemed to contemplate the
picture with a quiet pleasure. Then she
looked slowly up at Seagrue This doesn't
show very much of the camp, she
drawled the words the very least Bit
you are awfully busy over there L
| suppose" Nv
'CNever too busy to welcome our friends
Come over sometime"
What to a construction camp?' asked
Helen, feigning just enough Amusement.
why not? Talk about Rhinelander S
steam shovels! III show you shovels that
can do everything but vote. Come on
along"
For an effective moment she hesitated.
Il couldn't possibly" she declared with
decision but she allowed a note OF regret
| H. he Of
explanation and glanced around. mo one
here, you know
''well, but what time do you get OFF,
asked seagrue feverishly.
"Oh. not for long time yet"
His hopes were burgeoning fast "Seo
there, Helen; come over and take a camp
dinner with me. Come. do I'll show You
what can be done without preparation.
She regarded him with an expression
that indicated how completely such a
proposal shocked her. She struggled an
instant with the thought OF it. Then she
rejected the invitation; yet with enouCn
indeclsion 10 invite renewal. For the
moment Helen was a heartless angler
and Seagrue deluded by vanity was I'M
suspectingly Playing fish. Before he left
in the highest spirits he had known for
many a day-he had, to his astonish-
ment, secured. Helen's promise 20 dine
with him that night in camp. And al
the appointed time she was ready.
The night was warm. and the moon
rising full and into a clear sky. flooded
the landscape. And after Helen's I'M
easiness at the strangeness OF her situa-
ton had worn off. she was able through
ha Nutfh IN n
hut to wear her mask Of languid interes
successfully. The table was served witt
surprising delicaoies and plentiful array
OF wines was in evidence. Yet, to an in
nocent intriguer, a whole hour never wen
so slowly. nor was appetite ever more re
luctant than that OF Seagrue's guest
Though she went through the form o.
eating and assumed a carefree air. hi
food choked her. His wines she persist
emily declined. but that did not disma!
seagrue. who drank quite enough for two
Where could the survey be now? wa
the question recurring always TO Helen
mind. Toward the close OF the Dime
Sesgrue, rising. unlocked his desk for
flask OF Chartreuse. There. lying in tn,
corner exactly where she had seen IL
Helen again beheld the survey, a blu
print beside At. Seagrue was pawk!
enough TO close and lock the desk afte
he had taken the flask out. How, sh
asked herself, was she TO get that desl
? open again5
Seagrue dismissed his serving man. an
this did not allay Helen's measiness 70
! herself. She did not want 20 be left alon
a minute with him now; things were get
ting too complicated. But could she 4
some way get into the desk2
Rising she said she would clear IN
: table a little. Taking hold OF the flas
; he had just taken from the desk an
holding out her hand with a smile sh