Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-10-28

Historically, 1.-The poor fool loves her!"
Again silence.
This time Everett broke it. saying
stitly: You understand our PROPOSE
ton. DO you accept it,"
Mrs. Darnell laid her hand on Wilker-
sons arm, and he seemed to fall into
a profound reverie.
They could see the lights and shad-
ows fit over his saturnine visage, the
sparkle of his eyes dying into a mere
dreamy glow. the sudden Tightening
Of his thin lips. the working Of his
hands.
Finally he reused himself as by an
effort.
Il think l ought to have MORE" he
said quietly. There are signs Of gold
on one part Of this property which has
never been worked. 1t is nowhere near
the place marked in the plans, as you
will easily see. You understand that
Tom Gallon and were partners when
he located that rich ore. Never mind.
Bygones are bygones. But | want
$4,000 and that little claim. 1t may
not mount to anything. but then again
it may. Fifty thousand is soon spent.
~ mine is q mine"
"The plans!" demanded Sir Donald.
Wllkerson pulled out Of his shirt
bosom IN oilskin folded around a
square paper. He laid this on the ia
BILE.
There they are" he said, as though
driven to bay.
Mrs. Darnelrs movement of protest
did not escape either Everett or Faver-
sham. They looked at the little packet
that had cost so much agony and
bl%oodshed.
1T is "a gentleman's agreement"
said Sir Donald presently, taking out
his check book.
The money passed, and then Everett
picked up the oilskin packet and put
it in his pocket
THE deeds and the master key" he
said gently.
Mrs. Darnells face became splendid
in its futile rage. She tore the ribbon
from about her %throbbing throat and
flung the key on the table.
Sir Donald picked it up carefully and
rose. At the same moment Everett
pocketed the deeds and started for the
door.
He and Faversham passed out into
the starry night and vanished. leaving
Wilkerson still at the desk fumbling
the check.
Suddenly he reached for pen and ink
and scrawled his name on the back.
Then he silently handed it to Jean
Darnell. biting her red lips and moving
almost imperceptibly, like an animal
about to spring.
She took the bit of paper and tucked
it in her bosom. Then she turned on
her companion. He met her fiery gaze
coldly.
1.-The mother lode is on that little bit
l got them to give u.s." he said calmly.
THE plans Everett has are false"
And the look that she allowed him
to see in her eyes was such as no 9TH
er man had Eel seen there. 1t was
as if her tortured and lonely, proud soul
had found its mate in some darkness
made lurid by the flames Of hell.
Sir Donald spoke a brief good night
to Everett when they had left the Of
fee and turned toward the bungalow,
leaving the other to go up to where
the light burned in John DORIS cabin
and tell him Of the events Of the ever
ing.
He met Ruth at the door and quietly
told her that all was we'll. She looked
up at him with her great eyes filed
with unshed tears and be bent over her
a little.
Then he drew out the master key
and put the ribbon over her head until
the dull brass shone on her white
throat.
You are once more the mistress OF
the master key" be said gently, land
Of my heart"
Something in her expression told him
he had said enough. With a cheerful
word he went away.
But the next day Sir Donald renew
ed his wooing in such a fashion that
Ruth was sorely put to it to keep him
from demanding such caresses as her
engagement made him rightfully ask
for.
The hardest part was that she per.
ceived that John Dorr now knew that
she was to marry Sir Donald.
He did not know, nor eve would,
VIA that marriage was the price of.
Everett. Of course. had quietly intro
duced Sir Donald's assertion Of his
new relation to Ruth into his narrative
OF what had occurred in the office.
John had taken the blow steadily.
but he was not one to walk in the
dark. He sought out Ruth and in a
few words drew from her the truth.
Nov we all Know where we stand.''
John said bravely, smiling at her.
But IL thought you loved me too"
she murmured
THAT doesn't alter the NATTER" he
said comfortingly. Nov 1 must get
to work I've lots to do. Wilkerson