The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-01-21

Ia the evening. when the shadows fell
across the eulch. John and she would
water the flowers together. and he
| would tell her OF his life In college and
In New York
"I'd love to see New York; she said
a dozen times. and on each occasion
John would smile ut 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 plling up In n secret drawer
In Wilkerson's desk letters written In
a woman's script Some OF them In
scented envelopes on embossed paper.
Each one OF them was signed Jean
Darneli" When the seventh letter
| came the superintendent reresd II
many times:
Astor House, New York, MAY Is. l9-.
Dear Harry-From what you say and
from what ] learn from George. | think
that ! would be willing to put up the
money to buy control OF your Master
Key" mine, but you must be sure about
this. / know that old Gallon made money
out of 1t. but I'm also sure that he was
| concealing something. as you think. Make
| the mine worth while and-well. 1 remem-
Der my days In that camp-Id like my re-
venge. George Everett Will handle the
stock end OF II 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
| iy, II can put the screws on Dorr. iii
| fire him"
At this IN the man ne was
| thinking SO bitterly OF appeared, and
| Wilkerson, while his courage was still
fresh, said insolently: Il see you are
| spending a good deal OF time out OF
your office The mine can't afford
such extravaganza. | guess well have
to have q new mining engineer. I've
sen for one. so you better pack"
For the moment John did not speak
They confronted each other for n mo
ment; then Dorr turned on his heel
and walked of. AS he did 50 he brush
ed into old Tom Kane.
THE 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 buds now to
get u On him; he has ruined little
Ruthless propertyr'
John looked out OF the window and
realized that the various groups OF
miners, tired. sullen. as II waiting for
something. made an ugly picture.
I'm afraid It's up to them. Tom"
he said. a little huskily. II have beer
discharged. and | am leaving myself
tonight"
He was perfectly amazed at the ef
feet OF his words. Dropping the coffee
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
tericaily. He said two words and then
rushed back. his bright eyes cleaning
fercely.
THAT saves the mine for Ruthie.
John" he gasped "The miners were
Just going to quit quietlike. Now they
will make Wilkerson take you back
~ 1Ou q hAh IA SAiuAAhhGh -
tiers out with them"
He peered a%nxiously up into the
young mans face. "You won't desert
her, Will you. John?"
With an inarticulate growi John
swung out into the sunshine and ei-
bowed his way through the streaming
throng of miners Just coming OF shift.
Ahead of him be saw wilkerson talk
Ing to an old miner, who seemed TO be
arguing earnestly. he saw the super.
intendent and the miner re-enter the
Office. and a moment later Ruth ap
peared
AS John came to the office door he
heard the sound Of a scufie within
he kicked open the frail barrier and
stood inside Just In time to see Wilker.
son draw a gun on the old miner.
Drop that gun. you dogr' he below
ed. and with one leap was at Wilker.
sons throat
Wilkerson was no pigmy in strength
and a agile as a panther. He man.
aged to land two singing blows on
Johns eye before Dorr drove him up
against the wall. laid his powerful
hands on him and thrust him to the
floor In absolute helplessness. His fist
was lifted to give the 6nal finishing
blow when he caught sight OF Ruth's
white face. He jerked Wilkerson to
his feet. flung him into the corner and
strobe silently out
John, John. What is the matterr'
, demanded Ruth
THAT hound in there discharged mel
am going TO leave tonight"
Her eyes slowly filed with tears.
You are not going to leave The Mas
ter Key mine. are you. John? And
and Before he could answer her
appeal In words there was a wild roar
down the street and the tramp of boot
ed feet.
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