The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-12-30

were partners. How did you get back
here?"
Gallon looked ut his enemy with the
simplicity of an old man telling
proved truth. "They were all my
friends" he said.
"Eriends:' said Wilkerson in sud
denly changed voice. and. thrusting his
contortcd face close TO Gallons. II
don't care about your friends. but sou
better care about tue enemy You
made"
For one instant the mine owners
face grew stern and pitlless. isut he
heard a step on the outside porch. and
his face softcned.
MY God. Harry: ] did It for the
girl!'-
The evil soul Of Wilkerson Jared be-
hind those cold eyes OF his. and for
the first time in his life ne told the
truth Of his Utmost heart. "And | must
have my share Q. THE Master Key to
buy a woman"
What womanT'
Wilkerson leaned forward. an. his
lbs Kissed hate rs he returned: "Oo
you remember that woman IN Vale
Vista five years agO-;.,at woman yOu
thought your little daughter too good
to speak to? 1t was you who drove
her out OF camp. and nuw"-he smiled
carbohydrates rich and III New
York, and she hates your
Gallon bowed his head.
"NNhat Is 1t you want. Harry?" he
whispered huskiiy.
The other man pulled u paper out
of his pocket and threw 1t Oh the ia.
Bile. There's a contract for you to
sign"
At this moment the door opened.
and Ruth entered She stared Il mo.
ment at the visitor and then looked
anxious!y at her father. who said:
This Is an old partner Of mine.
lsutly-Hurry Wilkerson."
Ruth shyly looked ut the tail strang.
er and then shook hands with him.
He held her gentle fingers a second
too long. Her face flushed. and she
retired without a backward glunce.
Without paying any more attention
to the old man. who had NOW subsid-
, ed into chair by the table. Wilker-
son walked to the window und watch.
ed the slim. girlish figure Of the young
girl tripping down the hill. Then be
swung on the old man harshly: We'll.
1 need q Job. Yon need Il new super
intendent, don't you? guess III take
the place."
lie stepped quickly TO the window
once more. This time he saw Ruth.
with Tom Kane. the old cook. and an
other. In front Of the cook house.
Come here. Tom. Who Is that talk
ing to that girl Of yours?" lie said.
Gallon got up heavily from his chair
and walked over to the window. and
he could not repress IN expression OF
relief. "Oh. that's the mining engi-
neer OF The Master Key John Dorr!"
With Il quick swim. Wilkerson was
back. leaning over the table. He pick
ed up the paper. "Sign here" he said
insolently.
Gallon made n last faint protest: II
can't do it,
Wilkerson picked up a pen. dipped It
and put 1t In the old mans hand.
Sign
just ns the last letter. Of that sigma
tire. which had so long stood for re-
spectnbility. was blotted at t'lelfOot Of
the paper Ruth entered.
"Your father has just made me III.
pcrintenlent OF this mine. I'm his old,
partner. you know"
Ruth looked at her father with con-
sterpa ton. why why-I thought
john
Thomas Gallon looked M and wiped
his lips "Yes." he said duly. Il lave
made my old-my old-lmrtner s'sner'n-
ten,ent OF The Master Key"
II expect we'll see II good deal of
each other from now on." WilkersOn
said silky. aud with those slim. white
fingers Of his he reached out and pinch:
cd Ruth's cheek.
Ruth lid not draw back. She chnch.
ell her tirm little hand and WilkersOn
received Il blow in the mouth that
made him stagger back.
At the moment that lie received that
singing blow he heard II movement to
one side Of him. and. with the old In.
stinctive fear Of Thomas Gallon. he
drew away bnck with his hand Oh the
gun at his hip. He met the fiartns
eyes Of tue old man. who had risen
from his seat, and understood that I'M
til life left that decrepit frame its mas
tering passiOu-the passion which he
could not hope to MASTER would be
love for the girl whom he had just in
suited
He made ~ daring apology. the apollo
~ Of the coward aud the liar. u beg
your pardon, Ruth. but you used to sit
on my knee when you were little
one"
She merely glanced ut him and went
out Of the bungalow. She did not see
her father rise to his full height and
Strengthen his bent shoulders to say.
u killed you once for her sake. anu,
d-n You. I'll kill you again. old as I
>am.'
'"Come on" Wilkerson said roughly.
don't get excited. Now take me down
and Introduce me to the boys"