Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1914-12-11
THE MASTER KEY z Continued

Y woman OF fiorid beauty and
dressed III somewhat extravagant afrle
looking down at her out Of great, taw-
ny. velvet eyes. Western bred. Ruth
responded amiably 20 this salutation.
though she had not the faintest idea
who the woman was.
"Yes, am Miss Gallon
Il am Mrs Darneli." said the vom.
an. "May I SIT DOWN am an old
friend Of your friend, John DORIS. He
wired me that ! would nnd you on this
train" Tho lie was 80 plausible that
Ruth merely biushed. thinking that Il
was one more token OF John DORIS
carefulness OF her comfort and safety.
TO her inexperienced eyes this woman
represented the tremendous city %
which she was going. Her dress. her
manner. her Jewels. the evasive per.
<urue that she affected were all strange
and impressive to her. She moved
over little TO allow Mrs. DarneIl to
cit down.
John never spoke OF you" said Ruth
uimply. Il did not have the faintest
notion that 1 was to meet any Of his
friends. DO you i've In New York;
yea. ! live In New York. happen.
ed to be 10 Chicago. and through MT.
Everett I-beard from John"
-'0h. ycu know Mr. Bverettr' cried
Ruth. "7e iB tho man am going to
see in New York. and she went ON 70
tell. aa best she could. the gist Of her
mission.
Il was typical or the woman to whom
she was talking that she did not inter
rupt this naive narrative. She sat In
silken silence. occasionally allowing her
great eyes to rest on Ilufh's fair face
with an assumption OF affection. AS
q matter Of fact. she was profoundly in.
terested Life had taught Jean Dar-
nell great many things. and among
them had been the great lesson OF self
preservation-the saving for herself OF
money, OF comfort, Of health and OF
good looks Now II was question Of
money. prime among them all. and her
rather keen wits saw precisely the
chances which Wilkerson was taking.
She recalled his Oft repeated statements
that there was money In 'Srhe Master
Key" and his latest letters imploring
her to help him get control OF the stock
When Ruth ended up with gentle
~And 30 I told John I'd come and see
what ] could do" the elder woman
smiled gently. Times were not 30 good
with her as they had been, and II Har-
ry Wilkerson could put this deal
through and make money for them all
II would simplify many problem
which she duly pondered at night.
Mr.. Everett will meet us at the
train," she said briefly, 'and then you
can tell him all this. Meanwhile. sup
pose we talk about something else"
But can't think Of anything else,r
said Ruth.
"Oh. you wili." said Mrs Darnell.
''You can combine the pleasure OF see
fng New York with your little busi-
ness. Mr.. Everett win quickly settle
that part of 1t. and shall take great
pleasure In showing you about Manhat-
tan. presume you are fold OF op-
crap
Il have never been to the OPERA"
Ruth responded II should love to 60,
but when do go must go all alone"
she went on impulsively. II think op-
era must be like church--one wants to
so all by oneself"
Mira. DarneIl turned very slowly and
for the first time in many years reveal
ed secret thought: ''Do you know that
my only pleasant memories. my dear.
are of myselfT'
The bitterness OF that confession.
with all its implication. wholly escaped
Ruth's sensitive but inexperienced
mind. Yet there was something in the
tone that warmed her heart to this ef-
fulgent creature. At least. she was
not going into the great city all alone
nor confront Mr.. Everett by herself.
Mrs. Darnel made her feel that she
was csmpetently protected
When they arrived the next morning
at the Grand Central station In New
York city Mrs- Darnell quietly intro
duced her to slim. rather handsome
young man. who seemed III at ease un-
I'll he had drawn Ruth's companion
aside for a moment for chat while
the porter collected their luggage.
Il don't just like this game" he said
''in the nrst place. Everett Is big
man in the city. and this Miss Gallon
doesn't look to me like girl you could
fool long. Anyway. 1 can't under
stand what you are trying to do. Jean.
You must know what sort OF fellow
Harry Wilkerson IL by this time. Why
play his hand for himY'
Il don't notice you holding any
trumps In your handr she returned
gently. but with faint CLEAN In her
eyes which made him draw back.
This is my game. and 1 expect you to
play your part. You come on now ana
be George Everett. The girl is as ig-
norant as a pigeon. Remember what
I told you"
about that stockf' ne said sullenly.
"Yes. the stock. You understand
chat she ceme to New York simply to