Gilpin observer., 1917-05-17

ward on his face. Within a few sec
onds he was dead and the man who
had killed him was skulking off
through the dense timber.
David Dawson, sad at heart, walked
slowly over to his own home where
the other members Of the family were
eagerly awaiting news Of Thomas con-
dition.
1.-THE old mans gone," he said, drop
ping into q chair. HE was mortally
wounded. guess the whole thing was
deliberately planned. Now the ANAL
gamated will step in and grab his
claim. That means ruin for the poor
fellows up river"
But how can the Amalgamated take
Tins claim?" demanded Helen.
won't 1t go to his heirsr
atom didn't leave no heirs" said
Dawson. "leastways, none that 1 ever
heard of. Even If he had any heirs it
wouldn't make no difference, for he
had still five months to live on his
land before he could get clear deed.
Now he's gone the title lapses."
do you mean to say" Helen inter-
rupted excitedly. '"That Behrens could
file homestead claim on Tins land
and the boom rights that go with it?"
That's about the size of it." Dave
admitted.
'Tom," cried Helen, 'have you got
steam up on the engine?"
"Sure thing" was the answer. 'Tm
pulling out for Port Jefferson in thirty
minutes."
mo, you're not" Helen fairly
screamed. you are pulling out for Big
Falls in three minutes, and I'm going
with you"
why, what on earth" Tom began,
but Helen interrupted him.
mo talk" she ordered. 1--WE haven't
a second to lose. Don't you under
stand? Behrens and Hewitt have heard
that Tim is dead. They know that his
claim has reverted to the government
| SO they've gone to Big Falls to file on
it"
1t should be explained that the rail-
way parallels the Oregonia from Daw-
sonville to Shore Race Bend, dis
tance of fifty miles, after which it
makes long detOur through the hills,
regaining the river at Big Falls, the
county seat. Between Horse Race
Bend and Big Falls the river pursues
an almost straight course, racing with
the speed of a derby winner between
high walls Of rock.
Casting caution to the winds, Daw-
sen threw wide his throttle and the
engine hurtled at terrifying speed over
nf or Oh, ctr phnd
ahead. Telegraph poles flashed past
like palings in picket fence. Behind
them, a single fiat car, retained to bal
ance the engine, rocked and swayed
like raft in a rough sea. Lashed to
the car was Helen's Indian canoe.
What the intrepid girl had In her mind
Tom Dawson knew and it terrified him.
Helen's plan was to leave the railway
ut Race Horse Bend and shoot the
rapids into Big Falls.
Meanwhile Behrens and Hewitt were
having a scarcely less thrilling ride in
the latter's motor car. Though they
were quite unaware that they were
being raced for the county seat, they
nevertheless were taking no chances.
Twenty miles they covered at reck-
less speed-thirty forty (. fifty
miles an hour. Then, swinging round
curve in the road as racing ma
chine turns into the home stretch, they
saw before them an old fashioned
wooden bridge spanning the river. A
repair gang was at work on the bridge
and one of the men started forward
waving his arms, but too late.
"Hang tight! !" screamed Behrens, to
his companion. "Half the planks are
out and we've got to take it flying"
There was a growing rumble as
the tires hit the bridge structure-then
the crash Of rending timbers as the
rotten old supports gave way, dropping
the car and its occupants into the rush.
ing torrent beneath.
Almost simultaneously Tom Daw-
son brought his painting engine to q
stand on the curve at the Horse Race.
The canoe was quickly lowered into
the water, and leaving his engine with
banked fires on the siding. Tom Daw-
son accompanied Helen on board the
frnil little craft In which they were
to complete their journey.
Twenty minutes Of hard padding
brought them to the wrecked bridge
where lay all that was left of yell
low automobile. A little shrek of
triumph broke from Helens lips and
roar came from the powerful lungs
OF her escort, us they saw two men
standing on the rocky shore. They
squeezed through the mess Of timbers
with only inches to spare. and were on
their way. while Behrens and Hewitt
shook their fists In impotcnt rage.
Ten minutes away lay Big Falls.
The chimreys Of the mills were al
ready visible. From that on 1t was a
mere canoe trip.
When Helen stepped down the broad
stone front entrance of the court