Gilpin observer., 1917-06-28

tHe OBSTRUCTION OF tne marriage an(
birth records by which he hoped to de
stroy all chance of his relation to thu
dead woman being brought to light
In the meantime Jim Dawson and his
son decided to confront Holmes witt
the written statement of the wife he
had deserted and then murdered
though Holmes share in the falling OF
the giant pine which crushed the life
out of Mrs. Holmes was SO far only
conjectured.
Tom Dawson, the precious paper in
his hand, called on Holmes and was
ushered into the lumberman's superb
library.
'Mr. Holiness" said Tom bluntly, 81
have in my possession proof that the
woman who has lived more than
twenty years in our home. the mother
Of the young woman who has been
known as Helen Dawson, was your le-
gal wife-that Helen Dawson, 80
called, is Helen Holmes, your daugh-
ter"
The lumber baron surveyed his Wis
itor for moment with contemptuous
calm, the inevitable black cigar smok-
ing between his right foreinger and
thumb.
$50 that's the cock-and-bull story
you have brought to me?" he grinned.
'Why, that yarn has been industri-
ously spread all over the reserve. It
is as foolish as you are"
II rather expected you'd say that"
retorted Dawson, ''but here is the
proof-your wife's dying statement.
The story was also told 81 her on her
deathbed to several competent wit
nesses."
"WeIl," snnrled Holmes, "does that
make it true? If this woman were
married to me, don't you suppose she
must have a certificate Of her mar
riage-something to show that the
story were true? You go back and tell
what's that?"
Tom drew the signed statement of
Mrs. Holmes from his pocket. Quick
as a flash Holmes had snatched 1t from
his hand andsholding the document be-
hind his back as he leaned against the
table facing Dawson, he set 1t on fire,
scratching the match with his con-
cealed hand as he talked.
Suddenly realizing what was being
done, Dawson threw himself upon the
desperate man who stood facing him
with the courage of a cOrnered wolf,
but before he could strike blow
Holmes had whipped forward an au-
tomato pistol and the young lumber
man was covered.
''Now CO." shouted Holmes. "Go, I
say, and remember that the next time
you or any Of your crew try to cor
ner Dollar Holmes, there's going to
be vacancy or two In the independ-
ents' camp. Good night"
Helen Holmes, while utterly indif-
ferent to the wealth Of her father, had
made up her mind that Holmes should
be compelled to acknowledge her
legitimacy for the honor Of her moth
er, and to this end she began plan
ming vigorously.
Accompanied by Tom Dawson, that
young man being In q most revenge
full state Of mind following his late en-
counter with Holmes, Helen left for
the county seat at Portal, few weeks
after Mrs. Holmes death, determined
to examine the records and secure cop
les Of the certificates Of marriage and
birth. Installed at the Hotel Tyson,
opposite the courthouse. Helen await
ed the return Of young Dawson, who
had gone to arrange for their joint ex-
animation Of the books at later hour.
Returning Unexpectedly, Tom threw
his hat In a corner with an ejaculation
of disgust.
''Never was such rotten luck" he
growled. "Here we've hit town on a
public holiday and the recorders office
IL closed"
'But surely" interposed Helen. 'in
9 small place like this we might ask
the fseofder to make ~ sfeePtio9"
thing of the accommodating DISPOSE
ton Of the small-town official. but with
out much hope Of success he decided
upon another effort-this time with
better fortune. The door of the re-
corder's office was ajar, and two
men were within going over the books.
Dawson demanded that he be permit
ted to examine the records Of mar
riages and births and was puzzled at
the confusion that seemed to over
whelm the two worthless. Despite their
opposition Tom found the records he
sought and copied them.
Still puzzled as to where and when
he had seen the two men before. Tom
left the recorders Office on his way
to the hotel. His departure was the
signal for quick action.
Hes wise to US and it's a peniten-
tiary job" snarled Tim Grogan, one
of "Dollar" Holmes most desperate
henchmen, to Fernald, the other. as be
ripped the pages containing the rec.
ords from their long resting place.
Tom was reading the copy he had