Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-12

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 impulslve trust and afrec
ton. She tried 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
In New York.
I'D love to see New York. she said
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 Wilkersons 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 1t
many times:
Astor House. New York. May Is. 80.
Dear Harry-From what you say and
from what I learn from George. l think
that I would be willing to put UP the
money to buy control of your MA ster
Key" mine. but you must be sure about
this. l know that old Gallon made money
out of 1t. but I'm also sure that he was
conceaiing something. as you think. Make
the mine worth while and-well. l remem-
Der my days in that camp-rd like my re-
venge. George Everett will handle the
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, II can put the screws on Dorr. I'll
fire him"
At this moment the man he was
thinking SO bitterly of appeared, and
Wilkerson, while his courage was still
fresh, said tnsolently: Il see you are
spending 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.
'sThe 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, DIN 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, a little huskily. II have been
discharged. and am leaving myself
tonight"
He was perfectly amazed at the eff
IecC Oh Ills WOTuS. DEoppiuS Inc SouSc-
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 THE miners were
Just going 10 quit quietlike, Now they
will make Wilkerson take you back.
and you can make him strafgnten mat
ters out with them.
He peered anxiously up into the
young mans face. You won't desert
her, will you. John?'
with an inarticulate growl John
swung out into the sunshine and ell
bowed his way through the streaming
throng Of miners just coming OF shift
Ahead OF him he saw Wilkerson talk
ing to an old miner, who seemed to be
arguing earnestly. He saw the super
intendent aud the miner re-enter the