The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1914-12-26

I EEtHtrgE%E ouliOH SiON ~ went up 10 Ln
t&s&ssJ bungalow. There was a glim
mer Of satisfaction In his dim eyes o.
be thought of the fact that the location
OF the real lode was unknown ant
that the plans that might reveal I
were far beneath the waters of tn,
Pacific. He went inside to the desl
and picked out of the locker drawer
the golden key which held his secret.
He stared at ii and read the mum
bers that marked the position of the
lost vessel. and the chest that held the
plans. Whom could he trust with
this? He looked out of the window
and called to John Dorr.
John" he quavered "I've already
told you little about my finding this
mine and about my old partner"
"Wikerson?"
"Yes. Wllkerson; but there Is anoth
er secret lost the location of the
mother lode in wreck at sea. The
chest slipped overheard; but end the
wreck and somewhere near it is that
old carved chest. and when you open
the chest The old man suddenly
staggered forward into DORIS arms.
Il killed him once" be muttered fee.
bly,, and then the SILENCE which pres.
ages the wordlessness of eternity over.
came him. John gently laid him down
on the bed and called Ruth
Father she called softly as she
knelt Dy the bedside.
Thor.us Isnlio~
divide. but he turned back moment
TO gather his strength. Then he mo-
toned with his gnarled hand for John.
The young man stepped quietly for
ward and stopped over
My will, John! leave Ruth The
Master Key In my desk-bring itr'
When the desired paper was brought
he whispered:
"ReaG it,
John Dorr opened the document and
read 1t aloud
leave all my property to my |
daughter. Ruth, to come into her full
possession on her eighteenth birthday. /
direct her never to let go OF The Master
Key. which viii make my little girl
happy"
So ran the last words. The old man
lifted himself still farther up and call.
ed for pen and Ink. Then. muster.
ing his failing powers. be wrote in
firm hand the further words:
direct that my daughter keep Harry
Wilkerson as superintendent until she Is
eighteen. | appoint as executor of this
my last viii and testament. John Dorr.
THOMAS GALLON.
The pen fell from his fingers, and be
lifted his trembling hand to his throat
and tore at the string that held the
golden key. 1t broke, and he put the
key In Ruth's lap
That Is the secret" he muttered.
John knows-and Wilkerson. Trust
John" Again be opened his eyes and
motioned toward the desk THE let.
teri" he croaked.
Ruth's quick intuition led her to the
desk again, and she found in the same
drawer that had held the will sealed
envelope addressed:
John Dorr:
To be opened on Ruth's eighteenth
Sooner If her welfare is threat
aned.
Gallon turned his dimming eyes to
Ruth. who took both his chilling hands
n hers.
Child! The Master Key keep al.
Ways near you. Some day"-he choked
1t will bring you riches. happiness
md love"
When he first heard that Gallon was
lead Wilkerson was appalled,. He
bought Of the woman in New York
nd regained his courage. This was a
ase where he must win by brute force
lie must Immediately show his author
y. He who struck first would win.
G thought; yet In the back Of his con.
ciouSneSs was the realization that he
id not know what disposition Gallon
ad made OF the property. And where
ms that rich vein OF gold that would
nv him Jean Darnell. with her velvet
'ays and her dark eyes OF topaz?
Perhaps because for several years be /
ad not handled other men. but been
imself n mere cog In great machine. =
'llkerson miStook the spirit OF the
liners Iie did not understand that 5
iey Ind profound respect for ThOm
, Gallon. b
Il must get these people In hand" q
fought Wilkerson. "and do Il quick" &
lie spent the afternoon in making a
hedule for a sweeping reduction 10 .,
ages. Then he sent for Bin TubbS. u
e engineer. When he bad come. r.
oss. liquor sodden and half insolent. .
e superintendent laughed at him. m
'Tubbs. what do you know about =,
Is miner" :,
We'll" Tubbs answered. s'the ore a.
nned our pretty good for awhile. but
ey lost the mother lode. There aln't O..
carload worth a dollar come out OF
ne in three months. and that little -
: - - - hnl won't have noth-