The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1914-11-27
THE MASTER KEY

For one instant the mine owner:
face grew stern and pitiless. But ht
heard aistep on the outside porch. ant
bis face softened.
my God, Harry; did it for the
girlg
The evil soul Of Wilkerson Jared be
hind those cold eyes of his, and fol
the first time in his life he told the
truth Of his Utmost heart, "And must
have my share of The Master Key to
buy woman"
what woman?"
Wilkerson leaned forward, and his
lips Kissed hate as he returned: "Do
you remember that woman I'm VaIle
Vista five years ago-that woman you
thought your little daughter too good
to, speak to2 It was you who drove
her out of camp, and now"-he smiled
carbohydrates rich and in New
York, and she hates your
Gallon bowed his head.
What is it you want, Harry?" be
whispered huskily.
The other man pulled a paper out
Of his pocket and threw it on the Ia
BILE. There's a contract for you to
sign"
At this moment the door opened,
and Ruth entered. She stared a mo,
ment at the visitor and then looked
anxiously ut her father, who said:
This is an old partner of mine.
Ruthy-Harry Wilkerson."
Ruth shyly looked at the tall strang-
er and then shook hands with him.
He held her gentle fingers second
too long. Her face flushed, and she
retired without a backward glance.
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 and watch.
ed the slim, girlis6 figure of the young
girl tripping down the hill Then he
swung on the old man harshly: We'll.
need a job. You need a new super
intendent, don't you? l guess I'll take
the place" .--..
He stepped quickly to the window
once more. This time he saw Ruth.
with Tom Kane, the old cook. and an
other, in frontsof the cook house.
Come here, Tom. Who is that talk
ing to that girl of yours?" he said.
Gallon got up heavily from his chair
and walked over to the window, and
he could not repress an expression of
relief. "Oh, that's the mining engi-
neer Of The Master Key John Dorr."
With quick swing Wilkerson was
back, leaning over the table. He pick
ed up the paper. "Sign. heEeT be said
insOlently. .
Gallon made a last faint protest: 81
can't do itr'
Wilkerson picked up pen, dipped it
and put it in the old mans hand
Sign"
Just as the last letter of that sigma
ture. which had so long stood for re-
spectability. was blotted at the foot of
the paper Ruth entered
Your father has just made me su-
perintendent of this mine. I'm his old |
partner, you knowm
Ruth looked at her father with con-
sternation. why why-I thought |
john - /
Thomas Gallon looked up and wiped
his lips. YES" he said duly, 81 have
made my old-my old-partner superin-
tendent Of The Master Key"
81 expect we'll see a good deal Of
each other from now on" WilkersOn
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 blow in the mouth that
made him stagger back.
At the moment that he received that
blow he heard a movement to
one side of him, and, with the old in
stinctive fear Of Thomas Gallon. he
drew away back with his hand on the
gun at his hip. He met the fiaring
eyes of the old man, who had risen
from his seat, and understood that IN
i'll life left that decrepit frame its mas
-ering passion-the passion which he
could not hope to master-would be
owe for the girl whom he had Just in
suited
He made a daring apology, the apollo
~ of the coward and the liar 81 beg
your pardon, Ruth, but you used to sit
IN my knee when you were little
,ne"
She merely glanced at him and went
tut of the bungalow. She did not see
Ter father rise to his full height and