Gilpin observer., 1917-06-07
SIXTH EPISODE

When the town council of Glacier
Point, spurred by Helen's stirring ap-
peal, passed the resolution demand
ing the immediate completion of
the Amalgamated's railway, Rupert
Holmes found himself confronted by
one of the most perplexing dilemmas
of his entire career. To build the
railway through to Glacier Point
would not only impose a heavy ex-
pense on the Amalgamated, but it
would be an out-and-out surrender to
the independents. If, on the other
hand, the resolution were to reach the
legislature, Holmes knew that it might
result in starting an investigation of
the Amalgamated's methods, for the
party in power at the state capital was
far from friendly to the trust. And
an investigation was the last thing in
the world that Holmes wanted. He
decided, therefore, to accept the less
er Of the two evils and, in pursuance
Of this decision, issued orders for the
immediate construction of the line
from Dawsonville to Glacier Point, or
HelensbOro, as 1t was now called.
1t was hard blow to Holmes pride
to give that order, for 1t was an admis-
sion that he was beaten. Smarting un-
der his defeat, he resolved that thence
forward he would give his personal at
tention to affairs in the Jacksonville
region instead of depending upon the
reports Of his subordinates. Thus it
came about that, attached to the pas
senger train which pulled into Daw-
sOnville one morning, was Rupert
Holmes private car.
1t was a crisp, bracing winter day,
and Holmes, inhaling the familiar fra
GRANGE Of the forest and with the
sharp air bringing a healthier color
to his cheeks, set out briskly in the di-
rection of the railway construction
mile or so outside the town. The chief
thoroughfare Of Jacksonville is digni-
fed by the name of River street. In
winter 1t is usually knee-deep with
mud and In summer ankle-deep with
dust. To alleviate these conditions
there are sidewalks Of yellow pine,
which border the street until, reach
ing the outskirts of the town, it dis
appears in the encircling forest. At
the very end Of the sidewalk, and,
therefore, almost in the forests edge,
stood q low-roofed cottage which,
Holmes cursorily noticed, was consid-
erably larger and neater than the
dwellings he had passed. There was
a garden, Immediately kept; and a
graveled path, bordered with white
washed stones, led from the door to
the gate. As Holmes swung briskly
up the sidewalk the door Of the cot
tage opened and a woman came out.
She reached the gate just as Holmes
was passing, SO that the two thus came
face to face. The recognition was mu-
tual. Holmes stopped as abruptly as
though he had stepped upon charged
wire. His face turned the color of
putty. His hand shook so that he al
most dropped his cane.
Virginia !" he croaked hoarsely, like
man who sees n ghost. "virginia 7"
"Rupertp cried the woman, reel
ing so that she had to cling to the
gatepost for support. "What are
you doing herei' And in her voice
there was unmistakable terror.
IL thought you were dead these
twenty years, Virginia." Holmes stam-
mered. II swear to God / did. l saw
you and the baby disappear when the
log-jam broke we searched
the river for miles we could
lind no sign of you. :"
I'm sure that you must have been
relieved" she said bitterly. 1--WE were
q great nuisance, weren't WEI Why
have you pursued me? What do you
want Of me now2"
Il want nothing Of you," said
Holmes. Believe me or not, Virginia
but this meeting was the purest acci.
dent. ] never dreamed that you were
alive much less that you lived
here In Dawsonville."
"Then the sooner you forget It, the
better for us BOTH" said the woman
coldly. ITO me you have been dead
for twenty years."
"Do you mean to tell me. Virginia.
Holmes calculated. his inordinate van
ity asserting itself. "that you haven,
kept track Of me that you
don't know who I am where
live !. anything about meT
II know nothing about you, Rupert
she said wearily. NOR do wish TO.
lave done my best to forget you.