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

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 child. but now In her solitari-
ness she turned to John and old Tom
Kane with impulsive trust and affec-
tion- She tiled hard to be brave. but
the days We're 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
in 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.
-rd love to see New York; she said
dozen times. and on each occasion
John would smile at her and say. 'sYou
shall"
Neither OF them realized that circum-
stances would shortly take them both.
though separately. to New York. for
there was piling up In a secret drawer
In Wilkerson's desk letters written In
a 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 Is. 10.
Dear Harry-Flrom what you say and
from what / learn from George. think
that I would be willing 70 put up the
money to 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
concealins something. as you think. Make
the mine worth while and--weli. remen,-
Der my days In that camp-rd like my re-
venge George Everett win handle the
stock end OF II very quietly when you say
the word. Don't let your ugly temper get
away from you and look out for Dorr.
JEAN DARNELL
'Now," thought wilkerson exultant
ly Il can put the screws on Dorr. IN
fire him"
At this moment the man he was
thinking so bitterly of appeared, and
Wilkerson, while his courage was still
fresh. said insolently: II see you are
spending a good deal OF time out of
your Office. The mine can't afford
such extravagance. guess Wen have
to have a 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 heel
and walked or As he did SO he brush.
ed into old Tom Kane.
-The miners won't stand any more
OF WiIkerson. and they are going to
strike tonight when the day shift
romes on" Tom croaked. Lots of
them are packing their duds now TO
get out D-n him; he has ruined I..tle
Ruthies propertyr'
John looked out OF the window and
realized that the various groups of
miners, tired, sullen. as if waiting for
something. made an ugly picture.
I'm afraid it's up to them. Tom"
he said. little huslkily. II have been
discharged. and am leaving myself
tonight"
He was perfectly amazed at the ef-
feet og his words Dropping the coffee
pot with a 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. bis bright eyes cleaning
dercely.
THAT saves the mine for Ruthie.
John" be gasped. 'rhe miners were
Just going to quit quietlike, Now they
win make wilkerson take you back.