Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-27

speaking rapidly and not always connect
cdly how I've felt toward you for q
long, long time. The trouble has been'
I've never felt I'm a position to speal
until now. You know love you; thinl:
you understand why I've held my peace
| had nothing. It seemed 10 me, TO offer
you. But Mr.. Rhlnelander has put mo
in a position where 1 need no longer be
afraid or Obliged to keep silence. want
to ask you, Helen. 10 be my wife"
She could not speak. II seemed to both
that though they had long anticipated
the moment. they could not have antici-
pated the happiness now upon them. He
drew her. unresisting. into his arms and
placed upon her finger his engagement
ring. This isn't the conventional way
OF doing it. Helen. but this ring has been
waiting for two long weeks for its place
on your finger"
They wandered some distance from the
house. But. unfortunately for their tete-
a-tcte the guests were arriving. Rhine
lander meeting these as we'll as he could,
was compelled TO dispatch Spike on a
search for Helen.
Spike, who had lost none OF his apti-
ture for situations. found her with Storm
among the oaks, and in spite OF Storm s
dlsgusted expression he delivered his inn
perative message. And. conscience
stricken at having neglected her duties as
hostess Helen hurried away
Storm. in an exuberance OF happiness.
watched her go. But another than Spike
had seen the happy pair from a distance
and watched with envious eyes some OF
their exchanges OF affection-this was
Seagrue.
Smoking n cigarette, he walked delib-
orately to where Storm stood gazing
after his departing fiancee The young
railroad man was aware of the sneer on
SoaSrue's face the moment the latter
greeted him: "You appear to be becom-
ing very friendly with Miss Holmes" he
remarked with touch Of insolence
Storm fired instantly. why shouldn't
II" he demanded with equal assurance.
Rather ambitious" sneered Seagrue,
"for discharged locomotive engineer"
"seagrue," exclaimed Storm. his neck
swelling IN anger. ~ you knew what /
thought OF you, you'd be glad to be n
discharged locomotive engineer. So you're
Jealous. are you? Wen. Helen Holmes is
going 20 be my wife. and II you say an
other word about her or about me. 4"
ayerred Storm, without casting about for
fine words, "Tll knock your Internal
block off"
Seagrue strode toward him In a fury.
you impudent rascal! What do you
mean by threatening me? Get back 10
your cab ana keep your impertlnence to
yotaFelf."
Storms arm shot out, The next moment
the two men were engaged in a pitched
battle Spike. at a distance, saw the mix
mp ran to Helen TO warn her OF the dis
turhance and FASTENED away to separate
the pair.
Helen. in hcr excitement, started after
Spike. Rhlnelander and others followed
Storm and Soagrue we're at II hammer
and tongs. The men tore them apart
storm. furious at his enemy but held
back by Spike and Rhinolander. launched
terrific abuse at Scagrue and did not
choose nice words IN denounCing him
| and his conduct Indeed. his anger was
20 uncontroliahle, and 10 Helen's mind
/ his lack OF restraint before her guests 50
/ inexcusable, that che upbraided storm Sc
verely for his intenpcrate language.
SeaCTue. dusting his hands with hii
. handkerchief. already had himself undel
better control 1t was his opportunity Il
take advantage Of Storms natural bu
extreme Indignation. and he made th'
most Of the moment by protesting 4,
Helen 20 excuse storms fury but blam
Ing his bad temper for the disturbance
storm. himself. cooled down by Spike
now tried 10 make his apologies 20 Helen
But Il was too late. Helen would no
listen TO him, and, turning away wit
her guests. left Storm with nobody L
sympathize with him but Spike.
, Reaching the tennis courts, some O
, the guests took up the play, while other
looking back toward the scene Of excite
/ ment. saw Helen coming over with Sea
grue and Rhinelander. Reaching th
courts. Helen. instead Of stopping passe