Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-10

Involuntary Gallon cfutched at his
throat, where that golden key hung
50 long. Could he live to fight this
thing through? The agony in his chest
was unbearable. 'sWhat do you want"
he asked hoarsely.
Wifkerson flung his riding quirt on
the table and pulled of his gantlets.
SWELL" he drawled, partner. / guess
there are several things I want" He
hxed his dark eyes on the old man.
"And there's one thing I'm going to
have, and that's my share of The
Master Key"
"Your shareT' parted Gallon.
''My share!' said Wilkerson. realiz-
ing that he controlled the situation. 81
have returned for my Just duel
Nov, listen. partner, I am going TO
stand no nonsense"
What have you been doing all these
yearsT the old man asked duly.
sWhy haven't you been here beforer'
None Of your business" snarled VIII
kerson "All I've got to say is that
managed to get to New York. Now I'm
back after ding out that you made
a 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
proved truth. "They were all my
friends" he said.
''Friends?" said W1ikerson in a sud-
denly changed voice, and, thrusting his
contorted face close to Gallons, II
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 II step on the outside porch. and
his face softened.
MY God Harry: did it for the
girlr'
The evi! soul of wilkerson fiared be-
mind those eold eyes of his. and for
the first time In his life ne told the
truth of his Utmost heart. And must
have my share of The Master Key to
buy a woman"
what woman"
Wilkerson leaned forward. and his
lips Kissed hate as Ne returned: DO
iou 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
Yorl, and sha hafas vour'
Gallon bowed his head,
what is 1t you want. Harry" he
whispered huskily.
The other man pulled paper out
Of his pocket and threw it on the ia
BILE There's contract for you to
sign"
At this moment the door opened,
and Ruth entered. She stared mo-
ment at the visitor and then looked
anxiously at her father. who said:
This is an old partner of mine.
Ruthy-HAry WiIkerson."
Ruth snyly looked at the tall strang-
er and then shook hands with him.
He held her gentle fingers second
too long. Her face flushed, and she
retired without backward glance.
Without paying any more attention
to the Old man, who had now subsid
ed into a chair by the table, Wilker-
son walked to the window and watch
ed the slim, girlish figure of the young
girl tripping down the hill. Then he
swung ON the old man harshly: well.
I need a job. You need a new super
tntendent, don't you? l guess I'll take
the place."
He stepped quickly to the window
once more. This time he saw Ruth
with Tom Kane. the old cook, and an
sther, In front of the cook house.
'tCome here, Tom. Who Is that talk
ing to that girl Of yoursT' he said.
Gallon got up heavily from his chair
and walked over 10 the window, and
he could not repress an expression of
relief. "Oh, that's the mining engi-
neer Of The Master Key John Dorrr'
With a quick swing Wilkerson was
back, leaning over the table. He pick
ed up the paper. '4Sign here" he said
insolently.
Gallon made a last faint protest: Il
can't do ftT
Wilkerson picked up pen, dipped It
and put It in the old mans hand.
"Signy'
Just as the last letter Of that sigma
sure, which had so long stood for re-
spectability, was blotted at the foot OF
the paper Ruth entered
"Your father has just made me su-
perintendent of this mine. I'm his old
partner, you know!'
Ruth looked at her father with con-
sternat1on. "Why why Il thought