Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-06-03

gled too hard and Fought too long for
you to allow any one else to have
you"
"And what does your love amount
to. after all. Harry?" she asked. Tell
me plainly. Has It done either of us
any good? Will 1t ever do US any
good?"
Wilkerson stared out ut the dark sea.
and his face grew slowly very cruel.
"Goodw he repeated. "All that
know IL that love you more than
anything else In the universe You
love luxury aud jewelry and gold and
silk. Because know what you love
am trying to get 1t for you. because
want you more than want anything
else. III think we IRE even"
Even" she said in suddenly
strained voice. Eyes, we are even
you the felon and the murderer, | the
receiver Of stolen goods. stolen happi
ness. stolen life. stolen gold!"
When they finally reached San Fran
cisco Wilkerson found her oddly dis
trait. She did not know whether to
York.
One moment she was in tigcrisb
rage: the next hour she was staring at
the fog haunted hills with eyes that
saw nothing.
He stormed and argued to no pur
pose. He recalled to her constantly
the fact that he had the deeds. the
master key itself. the plans of the To-
cation of the mother lode.
She either listened listlessly or drove
him away with furious upbraidings.
Yet In the end she accompanied him
to Silent Valley.
1t was q bitter moment for old Tom
Kane when the stage drove up and
Wilkerson and Mrs. Darnell got out in.
stead of John Dorr and Ruth.
He had hoped against hope, and now
his dreams were in ashes, for Wilker-
son instantly took charge. the men. as
Tom put 1t to himself, followed the
paymaster, and SO far as outward APP
pearance went the Master Key mine
was firmly in Wilkerson's possession.
Mrs. Darnell here proved herself the
shrewder mind. Though she was little
seen, her influence was potent.
And more than anything else she
worked on Wilkerson SO that he did
not use the plans aud open up the
rich vein.
wait" she told him. Don't be i'm
patient. Our whole power here is In
the fact that we have the secret. Once
that Is public we'll likely lose every
thing"
.But we ought to be at work before
Dorr gets back" he would argue.
Eyes, and every court in the land
will help him to regain this mine and
its wealth. Don't you see? Compro-
miser'
"Compromisev' he repeated DULY.
Eyes. you foolv'
but h0w2"
"Wait-wait till John and Ruth get
back. They'A be glad enough to buy
those plans. Harry"
When John Dorr and Ruth arrived
on the following steamer Everett met
them at the pier and told them the
news as he had gathered it from faith
full Tom Kane. whom Jean Darnell had
insisted should resume his duties as
cook, sagely observing to Wilkerson
that 1t would be well for .them to have
not impugn.
Settled in the hotel. Dorr briefly re-
cited the experiences Of the past
months and then bluntly asked. What
are we to dor
Everett was ready with his answer,
"Compromise!''
The dull red flooded Johns face. and
he bit his lip. Had all his work gone
for nothing?
Everett laid friendly hand on his
knee. Now listen," he said gravely.
Here is Miss Ruth minus her key,
practically ousted from possession of
her property and. II we are not mis-.
taken. unable to lay her hands on her
most precious inheritnnce-the plans of
the mother lode. They're in Wilker-
sons possession"
And he's digging the gold night and
dayy' John burst out
With a swift glance to reassure Ruth.
who sat In mournful silence. Everett
| went on:
''rhat Is the shrewd part Of Wilker-
sons play. He knows that the law
will give Miss Ruth here back her mine
and all that 1t contains. 1t would
take time. but as sure as we are sit.
ting here. and no one knows it better
than he-justice would strip him of ev.
| cry III gotten cent and send him to
prison with his accomplice. So what
does be do? Hastily uncover the real
prize7 No. He conceals it still and
merely works the original mine"
but we can put him out of fathers
mine, can't WEI" demanded Ruth.
"And when we do we shall still be
| no wiser as to the location of the rea
gold. All our trouble and expense will
have gone for naught. Wilkerson will
| still hold the secret of the Master
Key"
"And how are we going to get Il
from him?" demanded Dorr, clinchins
bis list.
Everett smiled. by buying it from
him"
HE will ask millionsv'
| The broker smiled again.
"Consider Wilkerson's position for {
moment He is liable to arrest, tria
and long imprisonment on q dozer
charges Within twenty-four hours W,
1 can have him behind the bars. Blu
we wouldn't be helping ourselves much
would WEI Yet Wilkerson and Mrs
Darnell don't want to go to jail. w,