Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1914-12-30

were partners. How did you get bacl
here?"
Gallon looked at his enemy with tn,
simplicity Of an old man telling {
proved truth. "They were oil ny
friends" he said. go t'
Friends" said Wilkerson in a sud
denly changed voice, and, thrusting bis
contorted face close to Gallons, 81
don't care about your friends. but you
better care about the enemy you
made" 5f ,
For one instant the mine owner.
face grew stern and pitiless. But ht
heard a step on the outside porch. and
bis face softened.
my God. Harry: l., did 1t for the
girl!' 10 .
The evil soul OF Wilkersony Jared be;
bind those cold eyes of bis. and FOR
the trst time I'M bis life be told the
truth. OF his Utmost heart, And must
have my share Of The Master Key to
buy a. woman"
What woman"
Wilkerson leaned forward. and HIS
lips hissed hate as he returned do
you remember that woman In Vale
Vista five years %ago-that woman; you
thought your little daughter too good
to speak lto?3 1t was you who drove
her, out of camp, and now"-he smiled
fatnitously-"she's rich and in New
YORK. and she hates you" -..
Gallon bowed his head. ~
what Isl it you want, Harry" he
whispered huskily.
The other man pulled a paper cont
Of. his pocket and threw it on the to-
bic. There's a contract for you to
sign" ...,,. y
At this moment the door opened,
and Ruth entered. She stared a mo-
ment at the visitor and them looked
~anxtously at her father who said:
"This is an old2 partner Of mine.
Ruthy-Hary Wilkefson."
Ruth shyly looked at the tall stsaug.
er and then shook hands with him.
He held her gentle fingers q 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 a, chair BY the table. .Wi1ker-
son walked to the window and watch.
ed the slim, girlish 6gure Of the Young
girl tripping down. the hill. Then he
swung on. the old man harshly: well.
I need. a. job. You need a new super
intendent, don't your lrguess III take
the place." ."ss
He stepped quickly to the window
once more, This time hessaWs Ruth,
with Tom Kane, the old, cook, and. an
other, in.front of the eook, house.
Come here, Tom, Who il that talk.
ing to that girl :oft yours!' he said r
Gallon got up heavily from his chair
and walked: over to the window, and
be- could not repress an expression Of
relief. ""Oh. that's the, mining engi.
neer Of The Master Key John, Dorrw
With, a quick swing Wilkerson was
back, leaning Y the table. He pick.
ed up the paper, "Sign qhereW be said
Jinsolently. .''" 80"
Gallon made. a last faint protests. II
can't do itw ~ 80. s,aM, - IL, 2
Wilkerson picked up a pen, dipped 1t
and put it in the old mans hand.
"Signv' @#2
Just as the last letter of that sigma
ture, which had so long stood for re.
speciality, was blotted. at the foot Of
the paper Ruth. entered
your father has. just made me su-
perintendent ofnthis mine. I'm his old
partner, you know"
Ruth looked at her father with con.
sternation. Why why l 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" 4t
Il 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. / %T sf
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 thai
ct3nnApn hlnu- ho yhonr1 a mOvornonf n