Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1914-12-04


simplicity Of an old man telling
proved truth. 'srhey were all my
friends he said.
"Friends7@ said wilkerson In a sud
denly changed voice. and. thrusting his
contorted face close TO Gallons II
don't care about your friends. butlyou
better care about the enemy you
made.~
For one instant the mine owners
face grew stern and pitilesa. But be
heard q step on the outside porch. and
his face softened
my God. Harry; ! did It for the
girliv
The evii soul OF wilkerson dared be
hind tbcse cold eyes OF his. and Tor
the first time ln his life he told the
truth or bis inmost heart. -And must
have my share OF The Master Key' to
buy woman"
what womanT'
wilkcrson leaned forward. and his
iips hiHaed hate ~ he returned: ~Do
you remember that woman IN Valk
Visa i've years ag0-that woman you
thought your little daughter TOO good
to speak tot II was you who drove
her out OF camp. and now"-he smiled
fatuitously--she's rich and In New
York, and she hates your
Gallon bowed his head.
what is II you want Harryr' be
whispered huskily.
The other man pulled q paper out
Of his pocket and threw Il on the "a
BILE. There's contract for you &C
sign"
At this moment the door opened.
and Ruth entered She stared mo
ment at the visitor and then looked
anxiously at her father. who said;
This Ia an old partner Of mine
Ruthy-H Harry Wilkeron-"
Ruth shyiy hooked at the tall strans.
er and then shook hands with him
He held her gentle nneefn second
too long. Her face nushed. and chs
retired without backward glance.
Without paying any more attention
b the old man. who had now subsid
cd into chair by the table. wiker
son walked to the window and watch
Cd the sliIn. sirllsh figure OF the yonns
| gtri tripping down the hill Then be
sweng ON the old man harshiy: -Well
| need q Job. You need a new super
intendent don't youf ! guess IN TAXA
the place" IA
He stepped quickly TO the window
once more. This time be saw Ruth
with Tom Kama. the old cook. and an
other. 10 front OF the cook house
Come here. Tom Who 10 that talk
ing to that girl of yours7" he said.
Gallon got up heavily from his chaii
and walked over TO the window. and
be could not repress an expression Of
relief. -0h. that's the mining engi
nser OF The Master Key, John DorrI'
With quick swing wilkerson was
back. leaning over the table. He pick
Cd up the paper. -Sign herer' he said
insolently.
GallQn made last faint protest: Il
| can't DO itf' -a- Trlff zszs ts.ss,-'s--
wilkerson picked mp a pen. dipped n
and put It In the old mans hand
"Signr'
Just as the last letter OF that sigma
ture. which had 30 long stood for re-
spectability. was blotted at the foot OF
the paper Ruth entered
| ~Youi father has just made me 80.
| perintendent Of this mine I'm bis old
partner. you known
Ruth looked at ber father with con.
stcrnation- why why II thought
John
Thomas Gallon looked up and wiped
his lips. -Yes." he said duly, Il have
made my old--my old-partner superin-
tendent OF The Master Key"
81 expect we'll see good deal Of
each other from now on Wnkerson
said silkily. and with those slim. white
fingers OF his he reached out and pinch
ed Ruth's cheek.
Ruth did not draw back. She clinch
ed her firm little hand and Wilkerson
received a blow In the mouth that
made him stagger back
At the moment that he received that
singing blow he heard a movement to
one side of him. and, with the old in
stinctive fear Of Thomas Gallon. be
drew away back with his hand on the
gun at his hip. He met the daring
eyes of the old man. who had risen
from his seat. and understood that un
Ill life left that decrepit frame It's mas
teripg passion-the passion which be
could not hope 10 MASTER would be
love for the girl whom he had just in
suited.
He made daring apology. the apollo
gy OF the coward and the liar II beg
your pardon, Ruth. but you used to sit
on my knee when you were little
one"
She merely glanced at him and went
out OF the bungalow. She did not see
her father rise 20 his full height and