Gilpin observer., 1917-06-28
NINTH EPISODE.

When the giant pine felled by
Holmes crashed through the roof of
the cabin in which the magnate knew
that his deserted wife lay sleeping, the
head Of the lumber combination be-
YsYigg he had forever removed cyl
dence OF his first marriage.
The magnate's hatred for Helen
Holmes, SO long known as Helen Daw-
son, but whom he now knew to be his
own daughter, was intensified rather
than diminished by the discovery Of
her identity. The knowledge that
young Stephen had for some time been
displaying interest in Helen, awak-
ened in him further fear that this
uncanny attachment had progressed so
far as to render its sudden ending a
difficult matter. AS he sat in his H.
brary, pondering the CHASTITY dilemma
In which his criminal activities had
placed him, Holmes clenched his great
muscular hands and fought back the
thoughts that crowded upon him.
Quite well he realized that the
scoundrel Behrens, with whom he had
lntrusted his devious plans for the
removal Of obstacles from his path,
was not to be trusted.
Jim Dawson was the first to
find the wrecked cot of Helen's moth
er and to summon aid. The unfortu-
nate woman had been fearfully
crushed in the wreck of her little
home, and although still living when
removed. was In a dying condition.
"Send for Helen" she gasped. "I-
l have something to tell her before
die"
Standing on the grade near the con-
struction camp, Tom Dawson heard a
hail from the telegraph office.
Rush message for Helen Dawson"
the man shouted. "Her mothers taken
suddenly Ill and she Is to start for
home at once"
Within five minutes the camp was
In an uproar. Helen, her face pale as
death. but calm in a crisis as always,
sent Tom Dawson to prepare long,
narrow racing canoe for the 2O-mile
journey on the crest Of the Onawa's
swift current-the most rapid route
to Dawson, but one the traversing of
which was fraught with considerable
danger.
IT you catch the local train
Mt five-ten you'll make 1t pretty near rs
quick" declared the foreman Of the
camp, Old Man Morrisey, who loved
Helen as a daughter. and was loath
to see her embark on the dangerous
river journey.
1--WE can't take chance" Helen nm
swered, with half sob In her voice.
Helen and Tom shot out into the
stream, and in few moments were
lost to sight round bend Of the tor
Meantime the devoted little group
surrounding the crushed cabin of the
dying woman had done all that human
hands could do for her comfort, but 1t
was recognized that her life could not
be saved.
Holmes, having received word that
his wife still lived. and crazed with
fear that her dying statement would
incriminate him as well as ruin those
for whom lie had ploe(ed and schemed.
ut the same time acted with the cool
craft characteristic Of him.
Summoning Behrens and several Of
the tools of that cowardly rufilan,
Holmes bribed the gang to enter the
recorders Office ut Portal and steal
the records Of his marriage and the
birth Of his daughter Helen. With the
subtlety Of his nature he foresaw that
question would soon arise as tO
Helen's parentage, and he was deter
mined TINT no record Of her birth
should be found In existence.
This plan was already hatched In
the brain Of Holmes as, Helen stood
by the deathbed Of her mother, and
heard from the pale lips Of the dying
woman the true story Of her birth.
Now the young girl realized for the
FIRST time why she had been SO strange
y drawn to young Stephen Holmes