Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-12-04

the udyS were lung ana the nlBnCS 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.
'Td love to see New York; she said
a 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 secret drawer
in Wilkerson'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 Is, 10.
Dear Harry-From what you say and
from what ] learn from George. l think
that would be willing to put up the
money to buy control of your Master
Key mine, but you must be sure about
this. l know that old Gallon made money
out Of it. but I'm also sure that he was
concealing something. as you think. Make
the mine worth while and-well, remem-
ber my days in that camp-Td like my re-
venge. George Everett will handle tho
stock end Of 1t 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.'T can put the screws on Dorr. I'll
fire him."
At this moment the man he was
thinking so bitterly of appeared, and
Wilkerson, whilQ his courage was still
fresh, said insolently: 81 see you are
spending q good deal of time out of
your office. The mine can't afford
such extravaganza. guess We'll have
to have new mining engineer I've
sent for one, so you better pack"
For the moment John did not speak.
They confronted each other for a mo-
ment; then Dorr turned on his heel
and walked off. AS he did so he brush
ed into old Tom Kane.
"The miners won't stand any more
of Wilkerson, and they are going to
strike tonight, when the day shift
comes off," Tom croaked. Lots of
them are packing their duds now TO
get out. D-n him; he has ruined little
Ruthless property
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 huskily. 81 have been
discharged, and am leaving myself
tonight"
He was perfectly amazed at the ef-
feet of 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, his bright eyes cleaning
| fiercely.
'That saves the mine for Ruthie,
John" he gasped. 1.-THE miners were
Just going to quit quietlike. Now they
will make Wilkerson take you back.
and you can make him straighten mat
ters out with them"
/ He peered anxiously up into the
young mans face. You won't desert
her, will you, John"
| With an inarticnlate growl John
swung out into the sunshine and ell
bowed his way through the strea ming
throng of miners just coming off shift.
Ahead of him he saw Wilkerson talk
ing to an old minet, who seemed to be
arguing earnestly. He saw the super
| intendent and tho miner re-enter the
office, and a mofaent later Ruth ap-
peared.
AS John came to the office door he
heard the sound of a scuffle within.
He kicked open the frail barrier and
stood inside just in time to see Wilker-
son draw gun on the old miner.
Drop that quo, you dogr' he below
ed, and with one leap was at Wilker-
sons throat.
Wilkerson wss no pigmy in strength
| and as agile 0s panther. He man
, aged to land two stinging blows on
Johns eye before Dorr drove him up
against the wall. laid his powerful
hands on him and thrust him to the
! floor in absolute helplessness. His fist
! was lifted to give the final finishing
blow when ne caught sight of Ruth's
white face. He jerked Wilkerson to
bis feet, flung him into the corner and
strobe silently out.
John, Johnl What is the matterY'
demanded Ruth.
"That hound in there discharged mel
I am going to leave tonight"
| Her eyes slowly filled with tears.
"You are not going to leave The Mas
ter Key mine. are you, John? And
and"- Before he could answer her
appeal ia words there was a wild roar
down the street and the tramp Of boot
ed feet
"Get the dynamite and blow the fell
low upT bawled couple OF hoarse
| voices.
"Get a rope and hang him to the
hoistP' yelled another. Then a full
! chorus of angry cries rose into the
evening air and filed the valley with