The Prescott daily news., 1915-06-18

EE21&2J bungalow. There was A glim. mer Of satisfaction in his dim eyes as he thought of the fact that the location or the real lode was unknown and that the plans that might reveal it were far beneath the waters of the Pacific. He went inside to the desk and picked out of the locker drawer the golden key which held his secret.
 He stared at it and read the nun. bers that marked the position of the lost vessos, and the chest that held the l plans. Whom could be trust with this? He looked out of the window 1 and called to John Dorr. "Johnn' he quavered I've already told you little about my finding this mine and about my old partner"
 'Wilkerson? 2"
 "Yes. Wilkerson; but there is anoth. CT secret. l lost the location of the mother lode in q wreck at sea. The chest slipped overheard; but find the wreck and somewhere near 1t is that old carved chest, and when you open | the chest'- The old man suddenly staggered forward into Dorr's arms.
 "l killed him once, he muttered fee. bly,, and then the silence which pres ages the wordlessness of eternity over came him. John gently laid him down on the bed and called Ruth.
 "Father!' she called softly as she sknelt by the bedside
 Thonas Gallon stood on the great divide. but he turned back a moment to gather his. strength Then. he. mo toned with his gnarled hand for John The young man stepped quietly for ward and stopped over
 My will. John! 1 leave Ruth The Master Key In my desk-bring itr'
 When the desired paper was brought he whispered:
 Read itr'
 John Dorr opened the document and read it aloud:
 - leave all my property to my ! daughter. Ruth. to come into her fuil 1 possession on her eighteenth birthday. 1 | direct her never to let go of The Master 1 Key. which will make my little girl happy"
 So ran the last words. The old man lifted himself still farther up and call ed for a pen and ink. Then. muster. ing his failing powers, he wrote in a firm hand the further words: l direct that my daughter keep Harry Wikerson as superintendent until she Is eighteen. l appoint us eXecutor of this. my last will and testament, John Dorr. THOMAS GALLON.
 The pen fell from his fingers, and he lifted his trembling hand to his throat and tore at the string that held the golden key. It broke, and he put the key in Ruth's lap.
 That is the secret" he muttered "John knows-and Wilkerson. Trust John.' Again he opened his eyes and motioned toward the desk "The let rer!' he croaked.
 Ruth's quick intuition led her to the desk again, and she found in the same drawer that had held the will a sealed envelope addressed:
 John Dorr:
 To be opened on Ruth's eighteenth birthday. Sooner if her welfare Is threat ened.
 Gallon turned his dimming eyes to Ruth. who took both his chilling hands in hers.
 Child! The Master Key keep al ways near you. Some day"-he choked fit will bring you riches, happiness and love-
 
 When he first heard that Gallon was nn6 In thought of the woman in New York and regained his courage This was a case where he must win by brute force He must immediately show his author ity. He who struck first would win. he thought; yet in the back of his con. sciousness was the realization that he did not know what disposition Gallon had made of the property. And where was that rich vein of gold that would buy him Jean Darnell, with her velvet ways and her dark eyes of topazl
 Perhaps because for several years he had not handled other men, but been himself a mere cog in great machine, Wilkerson mistook the spirit of the miners He did not understand that they had profound respect for Thom as Gallon.
 '1 must get these people in hand" thought Wilkerson, and do 1t quick" He spent the afternoon in making a schedule for sweeping reduction in wages Then he sent for Bill Tubbs, the engineer When he had come, gross Honor sodden and half lnsolent,