The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-02-03

wIikornon prominently displayed. He
WA Impressed He ara not understand
| the nutport OF the papers. He did uu-
deratand that wilkeraon was nmiliug
with the lnsoIence Of triumph nchicv-
Cd. ITO rrinned slowly and passed the
papers back.
n encss thatli az 'emr' he said hus-
kIiy.
u eacss IL Will" was the rcioInder.
Tunbs seemed thoughtful. glancing
out OF the window now and again.
Drake voiced his feeling.
Tho sooner you let the miners know
aud get things settled the better"
wnkerson licked his dry Iips. Tho
battle was on. He broke tho silence
By saying grufly, "Caii 'em up here,
BnlP'
Nothing loath. Tubbs went out on
the porch, md his hoarse tones re.
sounded through the little valley. In
SANITY men appeared from doorways.
cara from a dozen places IN response
10 that call. And women, ciutchlng
their children. peercd u 60 see what
was la the all.
When the men were gathered before
him wilkerson stepped forward and
commenced 60 speak. lie could not
break their sullen silence. and. after a
few words Of g~cneralities. he mustered
his courage and shouted; Il am the
owner OF this mine! have the deeds
right heref'
The effect Of this Yas far other than
he had expected. Not a murmur came
from the sull. motionless throng. II
was a. " they had not heard him. In
a lower tone he repeated H. II am the
owner Of the Master Key mine and all
that goes with it!'
He held M the papers. and Bili
Tubhs looked at them aud grnvely nod.
ded his head. rs much ns 20 say TINT
he had inspected them and could vouch
for their authenticity. SIN no sound
frum the miners.
There u a quality In the silence OF
the crowd 81 earnest mon that is more
questioning than any word could he.
The men who had worked aud tolled
fur old Tom Gallon. who had been de-
ceived and bahiod, who had had their
loyalty tested to tho utmost now dc.
minded through their imperious st.
lcnce that Wilkerson open up his mind
10 them. II he was indeed the owner
Of the Master Key" what did he in.
tend 20 dor
You'd better say some more quick.
IT," warned Drake In n low tone. And
wilkerson. completely bewildered. set
the match 90 the powder. He stepped
forward with as ugly a look as he
could assume and cried. "Now tell mc
what you wantT'
Instantly the air wns filled with
roars 90 rage and disappointment.
Fifteen minutes later Harry Wlkcr
son vas sweating within the rnbin
With n shaking hand he poured him
self but n tumbler OF Tubbs' whisky
He hnd promised the miners back pay.
steady work. full wages and food IL
must make good. aud he did not know
how.
"Tubbs,' he said sharply, "yOn must
ind out what men we can trust say
nothing. but get al the Information
you cun. TN make II worth the whit
OF the men who'll stick by mo"
Again the engineer chuckled fatuous
~. They'll an stick by yc," he siu.
sagely. "slong n ye pay 'cm like y"'
|, said ye would"
II was late in the afternoon whcr
Tom Kane appeared On the mail wap
on The driver had already informed
AL. 90 b.v. aV,4ts mana sroluU am
the cook wasted no time. lie CLIMBS
down FROM the high seat, ieriSei hi
battered case out OF the wagon nm,
made straight for his shanty. Within
Eve minutes he had Invested himsel
OF his black clothes and donncd hF
! official Oyeralls and apron. Thon III
appeared ON the porch ns calm and un
concerned ms though he had not becI
away.
In no lime ut all n couple of dozeI
miners had gathered 90 shake hand
and swap news Naturally their big
3 gest item was wilkerson's proclaim
ton OF ownership.
, ~ this Tom Kane laughed scorn
fully. He derldcd the papers. ridicule'
{ the miners for being fools easily takei
i In and stated In set terms that he
Tom Kane. actually held the place o
n authority.
Q This o came TO Wilkcrson's ears
and he hurried down tho hin 20 stol
= what he knew 10 be o dangerous seces
0 sion. Instantly the Old cook locke
horns with him. poohpoohed him 4
o his face. called him namcs ~ pcculin
I virulence and offered 10 fight him OF
, any terms.
Before long the camp was In nm uT
rOdg. aud IL was due TO certain cOolc
/ heads that trouble did not ensue I'm
i medlnteiy. These men insisted tina
!. there WIS time 20 settle the dispute o
ownership. forced Wilkerson 20 witt
n draw his command that Kane lenv
2 the mine instantly and managed {
q bring a scmblance Of peace out OF dis
n order. Kane bowed his neck 10 On
A yoke Of their authority. hut dlspatche
- a trusty messenger 10 the station vii
Il a telegram to John 10 come rs soon n
" possible. Wilkerson res0rtcd to
scene which was eventually TO thre0'
en- the very existence OF the 'Mastf
Kav IL, u.VR nruEa eoufh Ia rnuff