Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-02-18

when the firing grew hotter and they
were hard pressed In the hut.
The natives proved themselves ar
rant towards, and 1t depended on the
three white men TO defend the place.
This they did with such success that
their assailants slowly withdrew.
Now Is the time for a sortie." said
Dorr.. We've got to drive them clean
away from here or else we'll be as bad
ly Off as ever"
Wiikerson and Drake agreed. and
John promptly led them out In a wild
rush against the nearest hillmen.
These were so surprised at the bold
ness OF the maneuver that they fed.
and soon the coast was clear except
for few too badly wounded to Join
in their comrades fight.
Now that the immediate peril was
past, Wilkerson and Dorr found them
selves again antagonists.
But both were so wearIed that by
one accord they silently consented to a
truce.
Yet Wilkerson could not resist taunt.
ing his rival.
"It looks as If you were always a
little late" be said. throwing himself
back in Il settle while John dropped
upon stool by the table.
II heard you got the idol" John re-
piled in dull tone.
"Ycs. and what was in the idol too,"
Then. despite Brakes gestures of re-
monstrance. he went on: Il got the
deeds and the master key and the
idol and the plans Tom Gallon robbed
me of. ] guess I'm ahead in this
game"
John nodded. his fatigue SO great
that he was unable even TO reply.
II guess that's right" said Wilker-
son in an altered tone We'll catch a
little needed sleep and get away be.
fore daylight. Time enough then to
talk"
For little while both men kept their
eyes open. watchful each of the other
Wilkerson was the first to laugh and
say: whats the use? I've got the
things and the men to defend them.
I'm going to sleep You'd better do so
too. Drake will keep watch"
John nodded carelessly and laid his
head on his hands, folded on the table.
A moment later he was asleep, and
not long afterward Wilkerson's satur-
nine visaEe was turned to the shad-
Owy ceiling.
Drake sat In a corner on the pack
Iacks. his revolver in hand.
The natives slumbered across from
him, apparently oblivious of any dan.
ger
When the hut was completely quiet
except for the breathing of the sleep
ers Drake allowed himself to fall into
a deep reverie.
Now that the quest was practically
ended he had begun to think about his
own part In it and reckon on his re.
ward.
Long association with Wilkerson had
shown him that he had nothing to ex
pect from him unless by an appeal to
his seltishness.
There was but one person who might
reward him-the woman they both
loved. Jean Darnell.
His mind went back TO his first days
of acquaintance with her in New York
and he seemed again TO feel the soft
threads of the web she wove about
him.
She had found him a young man at
the precise point where a woman may
either make or mar one for life.
He had been an easy prey for her
tigerish desire for u slave. He had
spent his little money lavishly upon
her. without thought of other reward
than to be near her, until Wilkerson
had appeared out OF the darkness of
her past.
Even then he had still been faithful
TO her, obeyed her every behest, risked
life and liberty in her service, even
aided Wilkerson in an endeavor whose
success meant that he (Drake) would
be cast aside as no longer useful.
And now he sat on guard in u hut
in far country among n crowd of
aliens whose very tongue was gibber.
ish to his ears.
On guard for whom? For what?
That Wilkerson might finally sue
coed and win Jean Darnell of the
tawny eyes and luxuriant beauty.
In that moment-was it to be too
late te?-Drake came into his own.
The mine and its wealth were as
much his as Wllkerson's.
The plans were his as much as
Wilkerson's.
Yet the man asleep on the settle had
taken everything to himself and would
continue to do so.
And Jean?
Drake laughed silently.
He knew her price. he remembered
his last conversations with her, those
half confidential talks when she had
insinuatingly warned him to keep a
watchful eye on WilkersOn.
He had been given to understand
that it was the gold she wished. And
he Drakel had the key to that gold
In his own keeping for the while.
He set his teeth when he realized
how Wilkerson despised him, had
counted him altogether as mere pawn