The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-06-17

men. Tho electrician. nj the sound Of
shouting and confusion. had stepped L"
the door. AS H. saw Dixie rushing to-
ward him, he knew the success Of his
plans was frustrated.
He turned quickly to the switch. At
the same moment. Dixie, knowing in
tmitivcly that this WAS his plan Of de
struciinn. threw her slight body III him
and chung 10 him with cutlikc trnaclty
striving In stay thu hand that was
reaching for the switch. Wit Il curse
his great hand closed around her
throat. Still she struggled, hut he held
her now at Il distance and leaned for
ward. She heard the switch jammrd
shut with II cracking contact. y sec
ond later the darkness without WAS
pierced by wild burst Of flames and
the earth heavrd and rocked with the
impacc nf an earthquake. But l'NIc
Mason heard it only vaguely. She had
tainted and was lying against the
switch. one hand still III unconscious
ness ClinEinG To ii as though the hope
yet lived that she could prevent the
awful catastrophe that had fallen.
Through the clouds Of dust and smoke,
through the crowds Of injured work
crs. through debris piled high from
which little tongues Of liam" were shoot
ing. Harrison Grant reached the power
house.
When pixic returned to consciousness
it was to lind him bending over her. For
one glad moment she recognized him.
She struggled L" rise. y "u. she
said. but Grants voice. cold and mn-
friendly. dispcIlcd the hopes that had
risen within her.
Yes, Miss Mason. I'm afraid you
will have a somewhat difficult time IN
explaining your presence her" beside
the switch that has blown up this fac
tory
In spite of weakness, Dixie straight
cncd IN. Her lips parted and she
reached involunturily toward tho pocket
that held her Secret service c"miliS-
sion. But tho impulse was checked for
Tho orders she had received months h.
fore flashed through her thr"bbInE
brain:
work into the trust Of tho Germans.
Tell no one. W. j. fl.l M
She looked at Grant hrlrlcsslE
why do you accuse me: Shc aSNc"'
Grant shrugged his shoulders.
Miss Mason. what else could one do:
tho workers running out. and
Dixie leaned forward.
THE workers, are they safe she
asked eagerly.
Most Of them. Some are injured.
an, rIad Won AT least warned them
"Thank YOU Now would you mind
releasing my hand"
Grunt looked at her In wonder. Nnulti
he ever fathom this mystery Elrl' toutu
II bc possible that he had made mis-
take? But in contrnvcrsinn /" ihls
thought came the memory uf her con-
stant association with the Germans
most active in promoting the interests
of their government: her frequent ap-
pcaranccs with Won Lcrtz and~hadam"
Stephan. And what possible motive
could have brought her to this scene an"
placed her in such a situntion'
Miss Mason. ! can say nothing en-
cent that a Waterman told me oi nav
ing seen q girl running toward the pa" :
crhouSe L moment before the explosion
came. | must put You nndrr arrest
Thu, cyidrnrc is ahSulut" and can d"
nothing else.
!. Dixie opened her lips. but tn" words
were not spoken.
Tho sharp report Of GunShot put an
end To their conversations. INC F''''''
NJ n low cry drlft-d in--thrn Sllcnrc'
Grant stepped Ia tho door ana 'i'""
hcsitatcd.
I'm very sorry Miss Mason. hr said
reaching in his pocket. but ! m h'ralu
this is necessary" Something H'l't"r-
cd in his hands and DiXi" heard Inc
netalli- clnk Of handcuffs. l must
see whn, Is wrong outsdr--and m""'
be assured tina, you will remain her"
until | return.
Dixie held out her hands In aHenc".
He snapped On" mhnnclc about hcr
wrist A strange sort OF wonder pos
sessed him that hc should be thus
shackiins the hands Of the girl VINO mad
SO fascinated him in he past Shn
stood quietly while he attached the
other cuff to The swinging door or the