Evening journal., 1914-12-12
weary anImHr uTed 70 turn m town

its accustomed corral but its rider
refined 1t sharply back into the road
toward "The Master Key" mine.
Il think Gallon win recognize me-"
he muttered to himself
Tom Kane. who since the beginning
Of the camp had been the open handed
but close mouthed cook. sounded his
triangle.
Immediately poured out from the
quarters OF the unmarried men
stream OF miners. As be had done for
many years. Thomas Gallon went TO
the window TO watch this morning
ceremony. He saw that the men greet
ed John Dorr respectfully, yet gen
tally.
1T was lucky day when John Dorr
came" he muttered TO himself. Then
his eye caught the figure Of a horse
man riding leisurely down the street.
, apparently careless OF the scowls from
the men against whom he brushed
roughly.
The old man rubbed his eyes feebly
and looked again. Yes. 1t was true
He could never mistake that figure OF
that saturnine visage Cod Why had
his bullet not gone through that face?
He reached for his gun with somewhat
Of the vigor Of youth; he was safe now.
| One shot out of that window and that
figure that had haunted him for years
would tumble and fall and forever dis.
appear from his life. He could do It.
He put the gun down quietly and
] III a. y H. II
allied that HIS years OF struggle had
broken down the indomitnble spirit OF
his youth and his pride. He was an old
man; he could not keep Wilkerson from
coming back.
! Harry Wilkerson saw that face at
the window. and his smile hardened.
He thought he would take Gallon by
surprise possibly, but before he raped
En- the redwood door Gallon had had
time TO clutch the key-"The Master
Key" to the riches in San Jacinto
mine-and hurriedly thrust it into
drawer in the desk and shut it from
sight
AS the door swung open the two men
looked at each other. Then the younger
man said softly, ''Pardnerg
''Pardnerr' said Gallon. as IL incred-
ulOus. He called 70 his aid all his frail
physical strength to face the final ca
tastrophe.
"still partners" said Wilkerson. step,
ping on In and closing the door; ''still
partners in The Master KeyF"
Involuntary Gallon clutched at hts
throat, where that golden key hung
so long. Could he live to fight this
thing through The agony in his chest
was unbearable what do you want7''
he asked hoarsely.
Wilkerson flung his riding quirt on
the table and pulled OF his gantlets.
WELL" ne drawied. partner. l guess
there are several things ! want" He
fixed his dark eyes on the old man.
"And there's one thing I'm going to
haFe, and that's my share Of The
Master Key"
''Your shareT parted Gallon.
MY shareP' said wilkerson. realiz-
ing that he controlled the situation. 81
have returned for my just duel
Nov. listen. partner. am going 10
stand no nonsense"
''what have you been doing all these
yearsT the old man asked duly
"Why haven't you been here beforeT
''None Of your business" snarled VIII
kerson. "Al I've got to say is that
managed to get TO New York. Now I'm
back after finding out that you made
strike, the find you made when we
were partners. How did you get back
here?"
Gallon looked at his enemy with the
simplicity Of an old man telling a
proved truth. "rhey were all my
friends" he said.
"FriendsT" said Wilkerson in a sud
denly,changed voice. and, thrusting his
contorted face close to Gallons. 81
don't care about your friends. but you
better care about the enemy you
made"
, For one instant the mine owners
face grew stern and pitiless. But he
heard a step on the outside porch. and
his face softened.
my God. Harry; did It for the
girlr'
The evil soul of Wilkerson Jared be-
hind those cold eyes OF his. and for
the first time In his life he told the
truth OF his inmost heart, "And must
4 have my share OF The Master KEY to
buy a woman"
What womanT
Wilkerson leaned forward. and his
lips Kissed hate as be returned: "Do
you remember that woman in Vale
Vista five years ago-that woman you
thought your little daughter too good
to speak to? 1t was you who drove
her out of camp, and now"-he smiled
fatuitously-'shes rich and IN New
, York, and she hates your
Gallon bowed his head.
"What is II you want. Harry7" he
whispered huskily.
The other man pulled a paper out
. Of his pocket and threw 1t on the ia
Bile. There's a contract for you to
sign"
At this moment the door opened,
and Ruth entered She stared a mo
ment at the visitor and then looked
anxiously at her father. who said;
"This is an old partner OF mine
Ruthy-Harry Wilkerson."
Ruth shyly looked at the tall strang
err and then shook hands with him
He held her gentle fingers a second
too long. Her face flushed, and she
retired without backward glance.