Gilpin observer., 1917-05-17
BY E. ALEXANDER POWELL


that 1t might monopOlize Transports
ton.
For a long time the young girl sat
at her desk, needless of the chatter
ing instrument, debating her action
Behrens, to whom the message was
addressed, she knew by sight. He was
surly fellow, INSCRIPTIONS and dom.
ineering.
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.
| 1t 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 it before 1t 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.
"We'l go over to Tim Thomas and
have a talk. He's pretty hard-headed,
Is old Tim, but whatever they may say
of him he's not hard-hearted. If 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. I 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 it. You needn't wor-
ry no more about this business, Dave,
nor you either, Miss Helen-I amt
going to Sell to the Anaisanated no
tin pretty fair income from the boom
rights, anyhow"
So intent on their conversation were
the three in old 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. It was well 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.
ITS about your boom rights on the
Oregonia," said Behrens, easily,
''awhile ago you offered to sell out
to Mr.. Holmes. Isn't that so?"
II 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 thousand"
you've had my answer" said
Thomas, shortly, there's nothing do.
Ing"
"Forty thousand"
Nothing doing, I say"
"Now be reasonable. Thomas-Ill
make 1t fifty thousand and we'll close
the deal right now. Mr.. Hewitt will
draw up the papers. What do you say
to that7"
'Ill say this" cried Thomas, "now
thoroughly exasperated, the Amalga
mated amt got enough money to In
duce me to sell. And you fellers gel
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 mar
with n threatening gesture. But he hat
reckoned without his host. Old mar
Thomas had frame Of steel. Behren,
realized too late that the bluff he in
tended had failed to work.
"You fourhusher." shouted the ol,
man MS he clutched at Behrens. II
half the stories I've heard are true
you ought to be wearing a stripet
suit"
The next instant Behrens was lifte,
high and sent crashing through tn,
door which stood ajar. The Algamat
ed agent landed with a crash, whil
Hewitt. his legal aide, fed In terror
With contemptuous glance ut hi
crumpled foe on the ground. Tin
Thomas turned to re-enter his cabin
Crack sounded the report Of an au