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

! 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 a mo-
ment; then Dorr turned on his heel
and walked off. As he did so he brush
ed into old Tom Kane.
1.-THE miners won't stand any more
of Wilkerson. and they are going to
strike tonight. when the day shift
comes or" Tom croaked. Lots of
them are packing their buds now to
get out. Din him; he has ruined little
Ruthless property
John looked ont of the window and
realized that the various groups of
miners. tired. sullen. rs if waiting for
something, made an ugly picture.
I'm afraid it's up to them. Tom,"
he said. IL little huskily. Il have been
discharged. and | am leaving myself
tonight"
He was perfectly amazed at the eff
feet of his words. Dropping the coffee
pot with Il 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. Re said two words and then
rushed back. his bright eyes cleaning
fiercely
That saves the mine for Ruthie.
John he Casped. The miners were
just going to quit quietlike Now they
will make W;lkersnn take you back,
and you can make him straighten mat!
tiers out with them"
lie peered anxiously up into the
young mans face You won't deser'
her. will you, John?"
With an inarticuiate grow -y1r
swung out into the sunshir, "a. e..
bowed his WAY through - ire L-.s.e-
thrUng of miners just r,E.'.r pc' nit.
Ahead of him he s. y '.lfcs"r tgIE-
ing to IN old miner, wa seemed 10 -
arguing earnestly. He ST. - sEa -G.er-
intendent and the mine, s--sltes 10
Office. and q moment i%ier l,rtE ua-
peared.
AS John came to be 0ricg 600. he
heard the sound of S.tEo -t..r
He kicked open the fra barrier a4d
stood inside just in time t. 500 y.''i-7l-
son draw Il gun on the OLD llsg1f
Drop that gun, you dog r.e below ,
ed. and with one leap was at Tyilker- /
sons throat.
WilkersOn was no pigmy in strength !
and &c ouila &c a popthor Ho mon
aged to land two singing 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 he caught sight of Ruth's
white face. He jerked WilkerSon to
his feet, flung him into the corner and |
strobe silently out.
John. John! What is the matter?"
demanded Ruth
THAT hound in there discharged me!
l 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 in words there was wild roar
down the street and the tramp of boot
ed feet.
Get the dynamite and blow the fell
low upr' bawled a couple of hoarse
voices.
Get rope and hang him to the
hoistT yelled another. Then full
chorus of angry cries rose into the
evening air and filed the valley with
sound.
Quickly John drew Ruth aside in the
shelter Of one of the cottages and said
This must be stopped,
Ruth. I'll get out there and stop
themr'
Ruth's property was in peril. Johns
'tentOrian voice rang out across the
throng: stop, men! StOpr' But be
soon saw that the crowd was getting
out of hand. He perceived three OF
Jour Of the tunnel men racing down
he hill to join in the fracas. One of
hem. he was sure, had been to the
powder house. He gritted his teeth
md made his last appeal.
"Ruth-Ruth Gallonr" he called.
Doubtless none of the miners had no.
iced her presence, and when her slen,
Ter figure emerged from a doorway. |
'oldly yet modestly out toward the
nan who was trying to hold them in
heck, there was dead silence That
Hence was portentous. In it was de-
ided the fate of 1.-THE Master Key"
1t was broken by wild and tumultu- '
us cheers as John lifted Ruth on the E
OK. and she beld out her slender arms
n girlish entreaty to the men she
new so We'll
Cowed, yet as ever alert to snatch at
ny opening. Wilkerson now came 7
Oddly ON the scene. Just as be had
luffed his way many time before,
e now made play on which he knew
is own safety depended He mount
d on the box beside Ruth. Miss d
TALON has asked me to restore the s
ormer rate of wagesr' he shouted {
1t has been done" h
What meant that ominous silence? :,
What more must be say to those faces