The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-03-17


liked him az much ~ II vas In her
nature 10 care for any man. ho thought.
"Ho was an awfully good sort" she
said TO wIikcrson one night as they
leaned over tho rail- and watched thu
long Hweils from the bow speed fan.
wise into the lnlnity OF the sea.
Eyes. the fellow had his good points,"
he admitted.
II miss him" she said simply. Later
she added thoughtfully. Il think he
was In love with me"
Wilkerson laughed
Mrs. Darneil glanced at him with an
expression strange on her handsome
face. Eyes. I am sure he loved me-"
In vain" he returned lightly.
II don't know whether it might have
been wholly IN vain after ALL" she
murmured. "Llfe has given me little
love OF that kind. IL seems as II 1
had always been a woman who for
mere self protection could not let any
one love me or let myself love him"
20 should not have lot you love him."
was the quiet response Il have strug-
gled too hard and fought too long for
you 10 allow any M else TO have
you"
"And what does your love amount
TO. after ell, HarryT' she asked. Tell
me plainly. Has II done either OF US
any goOd1 WIN It ever do us any
goodT"
Wilkerson stared out at the dark sea,
aud his face grew slowly very cruel.
"Goody' he repeated. IAN that l
know IL that | love you more than
anything else In the universe. You
love luxury and jewelry and gold and
silk. Because 1 know what you love l
I'm trying to get II for you. because !
want you more than ] want anything
else. Ill think We are even"
'EvenY" she said in a suddenly
strained voice. "Yes, we are ven
you the felon aud the murderer. l the
receiver OF stolen goods. stolen happl.
ness. stolen life, stolen goldr'
When they finally reached san Fran.
cisco wilkerson found her oddly dis
trait. She did not know whether 10
40 to the mine or TO return 20 New
York.
One momen sho was In a tlgerish
rage; the next hour she vas staring NJ
the fog haunted hills with eyes thai
saw nothing.
He stormed and argued to no pur
nose. lie recalled q her constantly
the fact that he had the deeds, the
master key itself. the plans Of the 10
cation OF the mother lode.
She either listened listlessly or drove
him away with furious upbraidings
Yet IN the end she accompanied hin
to Silent Valley.
II was a bitter moment for old Ton
Kane when the stage drove up an'
wnkerson and Mrs. Darrell got OFT In
stead Of John Dorr and Ruth.
He bad hoped against hope, and nov
his dreams were IN ashes. for Wilker
son instantly took charge. the men, az
Tom put II 10 himself, followed tia
paymnstcr. and so far as outward ap
pearance went the Master Key min,
was firmly In Wilkerson's possession.
Mrs. Darrell here proved herself th'
shrewdcr mind. Though she was littl'
seen. her influence was potent
Aud more than anything else sh'
worked on Wilkerson so that he dix
not use the plans and open up tn,
rich vein.
Wait" she told him. Don't be Inn
patient our whole power here Is II
the fact that we have the secret. Ono,
that is public wen likely lose every
thing"
but we ought TO be ut work befor,
Dorr gets back" he would argue.
Yes. and every court IN the liant
will help him TO regain this mine nm,
it's wealth. Don't you seer Compro
miser'
COMPROMISED" he repeated dglly.
Eyes. you fOolg'
"But howy"
"wait-walt TIL John and Ruth ge
back. They'll he glad enough 10 bul
those plans, Harry"
When john Dorr and Ruth arrive,
on the following steamer Everett me
them at the pier ana told them thu
news ms he Ind gathered II from faith
ful Tom Kane. whom Jean Darnell Ia,
insisted should resume his duties al
cook, sagely observing TO Wilkersoi
that u would be well for them to hay,
n witness whose yeracity DOrT woul,
not impugu.
Settled in the hotel. Dorr briefly re
cited the experiences OF the pas
months aud then biuntly asked. "Wha
are we to dOY'
Everett was ready with his answer
Compromised
The dun red flooded Johns face, an,
he bit his lip Had all his work gon'
for nothingI
Everett laid a friendly hand on hi
knee. "NOw %llsten." he said gravely
Here IL Miss Ruth minus her key
practically ousted from possession q
her property and. II we are not mis-
taken. unable to lag her hands ON he.
most precious INTERCHANGEABLE plans o
the mother lode They're In Wilker
sons possession"
And he's digging the gold night an'
, day." John burst out
With a swift glance 10 rcassure Ruth
who sat In mournful silence. Everett