The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-01-26

things on the lire they'll burn. This
business won't wait" He smiled mag
%nificently. And you just leave this
to me. I've been here since the mine
started. and | guess l can attend to 1t
from cool shanty to Wilkerson. The
main thing il TO find Ruth. | know
she's safe. for nobody would hurt that
little girl. But you've got TO go TO
Frisco and help her. Likely she's
found herself pretty much a stranger.
got lost In New Orleans once. and ]
reckon Frisco Is bigger"
I'm co. said Dorr promptly. I'm
leave my papers and my new plans In
your charge. Tom
The old mar laid his warm hand ON
Johns arm. New plans?" he whis-
pered. Have you found the mother
lode? Don't say anything TO Wliker-
SON."
But he is the superintendent
Not OF this shanty. / never trust
an egg until I've broken It."
In Harry Wilkerson's dark heart
there was what he might In his twist.
ed vocabulary have termed happiness
His plans were working out to perfee-
ton. Jean Darnell had wired again
that all was we'll and that she would
have news for him In a few days. This
meant that she and George Drake had
done their part. But he wondered why
1t vas that John Dorr, who must GER
tainly be anxiously awaiting word
from Ruth. neither said anything nor
displayed a sign CT Impotence.
II did not escape him that Tom Kane
and the young engineer were In on
~sultation several times. What were
they planning? He determined to
probe boldly. When Dorr came into
the Office In the afternoon and began TO
clear up his desk Wilkerson asked
quietly, whats the news from San
Franciscog Has Ruth wired?'
John had been expecting this per
fectly natural question and was ready
with his answer:
Everything seems to be I'LL right"
"Goodr' said the superintendent dry.
~. I'D like to get started ON that
new lead pretty soon" He could not
repress a sour smile. "Since the old
rate Of wages has been restored
guess you and | may have to do with.
out u salaries for awhile"
John looked up and caught himself.
He was In no position to quarrel with
this man. PAY the men first. OF
course" he said. He proceeded to get
into a package of bIueprints and mem
orandA.
"Going TO move?" suggested Wilker-
son.
I'm going for a trip. and | thought
I'd look over my notes In the mean
WHILE" was the response.
Wilkerson said no more. He went on
the alert. From Bill Tubbs he learned
that Dorr was going to run into either
Vale Vista or Silent Valley with the
motor truck.
The superintendent OF the Master
Key" belonged to the type that Is cat
like In Is quickness Of action, based
on intuition rather than on reason.
While Ruth Gallon was carefully con.
cealed. 1t was more than possible that
Dorr would SO stir things up with the
aid OF Everett that all plans to seize
control Of the mines stock would be
futile. He must not be allowed to go
to San Francisco.
But how to prevent him? WiIker.
vi pondered this problem till bis dark
face vas suffused with angry blood.
There was no way but the way OF VIC
lence. Among his sensuous appetites
WAS lone for blood. but be nerved him
self to his task and shortly after mid
day called for his horse and rode out
stating that ne was going across the
divide to see about q fresh supply Of
wood In the saddle scabbard hs ca4
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