Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1917-01-26
by E. ALEXANDER POWELL

dawned on her. The trust wanted those
water rights, whatever they cost, so
that II might monopolize transporta-
ton.
For long time the young girl sat
ut her desk, needless of the chatter
ing instrument. debating her action.
Behrens, to whom the message was
addressed, she knew by sight. lie was
surly fellow, INSCRIPTIONS and dom
ineerlng.
There was only one thing to do, she
decided. She would show the telegram
to Dave Dawson, her foster father,
and abide by his decision.
It was five o'clock. In an hour the
night operator would report for his
trick and Helen would be free to leave
her post. A few minutes after six she
ran breathlessly into the living room
of the Dawson home.
"Uncle Dave" she cried, holding out
the square of yellow paper, "read this
I wanted you to see 1t before It was de-
livered to Behrens."
Twice, thrice. David Dawson read
the message. Then, his mind made up,
he rose and donned his hat.
"Come along, my dear" he said.
well go over to Tim Thomas and
have talk. He's pretty hard-headed.
Is old Tim, but whatever they may say
of him he's not hard-hearted. II we
can make him see things as we do. he'll
not be likely to sell to the Amalga-
mated at any price,"
Tim Thomas listened to the story,
absently poking the fire as he did so.
An inscrutable grin overspread his
mahogany-hued countenance. At last
he turned to Dawson with a gesture
indicating that he had heard enough.
"Dave," he said, "you've sized me up
right. l reckon I've got the reputa-
ton around here of being a close
listed old fellow, but I amt so d
greedy for money that I'd ruin some
body else to get 1t. You needn't wor-
ry no more about this business, Dave,
nor you either, Miss Helen-I amt
going to sell to the Amalgamated, no
matter what they offer me. I'm get
tin pretty fair income from the boom
rights, anyhow"
So intent on their conversation were
the three in cd Tins cabin. that they
did not hear the approach Of two men
whose footballs were deadened by the
soft earth they trod. These new ar
rivals stood for time outside the cab
in door. listening intently. One of
them was "Big Bill" Behrens, the 9TH
er was Hewitt. the lawyer.
They were not slow to realize the
desperate state Of their mission, these
two worthless. II was we'll into the
evening before they again approached
the cabin.
"Little matter Of business to talk
over with you, Thomas" said Behrens,
as the old man opened In response to
his knock. "Mr. Hewitt, here, happened
to be In town SO brought him along"
go ahead" said. Thomas. but none
too amiably. for he had no love for the
Amalgamated or its emissaries. "Spit
out what we've got to say" urged the
old lumberman.
"It's about your boom rights on the
Oregonia," said Behrens. easily,
"awhile ago you offered to sell out
to Mr.. Holmes. Isn't that so?"
IL offered to sell the rights and he
refused to buy them. Now they amt
for sale"
perhaps you'll change your mind
when you hear my OFFER" suggested
Behrens.
'They amt for sale, tell ye." re-
peated the other.
"What would you say to an offer of
thirty thousandT
you've had my answer" said
Thomas, shortly, "there's nothing do
ing"
"Forty thousand"
Nothing doing. I say"
"Now be reasonable, Thomas-I'll
make IL fifty thousand and Wen close
the deal right now. Mr.. Hewitt will
draw up the papers. What do you say
to THAR"
"Ill say this" cried Thomas, "now
thoroughly exasperated, the Amalga-
mated amt got enough money TO in
duce me to sell. Aud you fellers get
out of here-we've had our talk"
mo man can talk that way to me
and get away with It," snarled Beh-
rens, advancing on the old man
with threatening gesture. But he had
reckoned without his host. Old man
Thomas had frame of steel. Behrens
realized too late that the bluff he in
tended had failed to work.
"You fourtiusher," shouted the old
man as he clutched at Behrens. 'If
half the stories I've heard are true,
you ought to be wearing u striped
suit"
The next instant Behrens was lifted
high and sent crashing through the
door which stood ajar. The Algamat-
ed agent landed with a crash, while
Hewitt, his legal aide, fled in terror.
With contemptuous glance at his
crumpled foe on the ground, Tim