Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-07-08
CHAPTER V-CoNTINTED

A"iulCl. Sdlu 0dllOl, us IL lllCIcu-
ulous. He called to his aid all his frail
physical strength to face the final ca
t%astrophe.
"Still %partners," said Wilkerson. step
ping on in and closing the door; still
partners in The Master Key!"
Involuntary Gallon clutched at his
throat, where that golden key hung
so long. Could he live to fight this
thing through? The agony in his chest
was unbearable. "What do you want?"
he asked h%oarsely.
Wilkerson flung his riding quirt on
the table and pulled off his gantlets.
"Well," he drawled, partner, l guess
there are several things l want" He
fixed 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 share?" parted Gallon.
my share!' said Wilkerson. realiz-
ing that he controlled the situation. II
have returned for my just due!
"Now, listen, partner, I am going to
stand no nonsense"
"What have you been doing all these
yearsY' the old man asked duly.
"Why haven't you been here before?"
"None Of your business" snarled VIII
kerson. "All I've got to say Is that 1
managed to get to New York. Now In
back after finding out that you made
asstrike, 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 a
proved truth. 'They were all M
friends" he said.
"Friends?" said Wtlkerson in a sud-
denly changed voice, and, thrusting his
contorted face close to Gallons, II
don't care about your friends, but you
made"
For n instant the mine owners
face grew stern and pitiless. But he
heard q step on the outside porch. and
his face softened.
"My God. Harry: | did 1t for the
girl!'
The evil soul of W1lkerson hared be-
hind those cold eyes Of his. and for
the first time in his life he told the
truth Of his 1nmost heart, And l must
have my share Of The Master Key to
buy a woman"
What woman?"
Wilkerson leaned forward, and his
Alps Kissed hate as he returned: DO
you 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-"she's rich and in New
York. and she hates you"
Gallon bowed his head.
what is it you want. Harry?' he
whispered huskily.
The other mar pulled a paper out
of his pocket and threw it on the ia
BILE. There's a contract for you to
sign"
At this moment the door opened,
and Ruth entered. She stared a mo-
ment at the visitor and then looked
anxiously ut her father. who said:
40 AZ OiN IpAlAS vi ililuCs
Ruthy-Harry Wilkerson."
Ruth shyly looked at the tall strang-
er and then shook hands with him.
He held her gentle fingers a second
too long. Her face flushed, and she
retired without a backward glance.
Without paying any more attention
to the old man, who had now subsid-
ed into a chair by the table, WilSer-
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 Il job. You need Il new super
intendent. don't you? | guess I'll take
the place"
4 He stepped quickly to the window
nee more. This time he saw Ruth,
with Ton Kane, the old cook. and an
other, in front Of the cook house.
"Come here, Tom. Who is that talk
! ing to that girl of yours?" he said.
Gallon got up heavily from his chair
and walked over to the window, and
he could not repress an expression of
relief. "Oh, that's the mining engi-
neer of The Master Key John Dorr!!'
With a quick swing Wilkerson was
back, leaning over the table. He pick
ed up the paper. "Sign here" he said
insolently.
Gallon made a last faint protest: II
can't do it!'
Wilkerson picked up a pen, dipped it
and put it in the old mans hand.
"Sign!"
Just as the last letter Of that sigma
ture, which had so long stood for re-
s%pectability, was blotted at the foot of
the paper Ruth entered.
"Your father has just made me SUI
perintendent Of this mine. I'm his old
partner, you know!
Ruth looked ut her father with con-
%sternation. why ~ why-I thought
john
Thomas Gallon looked up and wiped