Evening journal., 1914-12-15

voting himself in the intervals Of his
duties to soothing Ruth's grief The
girl had really been enormously de
pendent upon her father She was
only~a child. but now I'm her solitnri-
ness she turned TO John and old Tom
Kane with impulsive trust and afrec-
ton She tried hard to be brave. hut
the days were long and the nights long
er. The cook house bloomed with fresh
roses every day. an excuse for her go
ing down to talk with old Tom. and
I'm the evening. when the shadows fell
across the gulch. John and she would
water the flowers together. and he
would tell her Of his life In college and
in New York
I'D love to see New York." she said
dozen times. and on each occasion
John would smile at her and say. "You
shall"
Neither OF them realized that circum-
stances would shortly take them both
though separately. to New York. for
there was piling up in Il secret drawer
in Wikerson's desk letters written In
woman's script Some Of them IN
scented envelopes on embossed paper
Each one Of them was signed Jean
Darnell" When the seventh letter
came the superintendent reread It
many times:
Astor House. New York. MAY i5 49,.
Dear Harry From what YOU say and
from what ! learn from George think
that ] would be willing to put up the
money 10 buy control OF YOUR Master
Key mine. but you must be sure about
this. know that old Gallon made money
out OF IT, but I'm also sure that he was
concealng something, as YOU think Make
the mine worth while and-well. / remem-
bcr my days IN that camp-Id like my re.
venge. George Everett viii handle tho
stock end OF II very quietly when you say
the word Don't let your ugly temper set
away from you and look out FOR Dorr
JEAN DARNEI.L
Now" thought Wilkerson exultant
~. Il can put the screws on Dorr. III
fire him."
At this moment the man he was
thinking so bitterly Of appeared. and
Wilkcrson. while his courage was still
fresh, said insolently: Il see you arc
spending a good deal of time out OF
your Office. The mine can't afford
such extravaganza. guess wen hav,
to have n new mining engineer. I've
sent for one. so you better pack"
For the moment John did not speak
They confronted each other for mo
ment; then Dorr turned on his hee
and walked of. AS he did so he brush
ed into old Tom Kane.
"The miners won't stand any NOR,
Of Wilkerson. and they are going tC
strike tonight. when the day shift
comes off," Tom croaked Lots OF
them are packing their duds now tC
get out D-n him; he has ruined little
Ruthies property
John looked out OF the window and
realized that the various groups Of
miners. tired. sullen. as II waiting foI
something. made an ugly picture.
I'm afraid it's up TO them. Tom. "
he said, little huskily. Il have been
discharged, and I am leaving myself
tonight"
He was perfectly amazed at the ef-
feet OF his words. Dropping the coffee
pot with n crash on the top Of the
range. Tom Kane dashed out Of the
door and into the nearest group OF
miners. gesticulating and laughing hys-
terically. He said two words and then
rushed back. his bright eyes cleaning
hercely.
THAT saves the mine for Ruthie
John" he gasped The miners were
Just going TO quit quietlike. Now they
will make Wilkerson take you back
Continued Tomorrow.