Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-01-14
CHAPTER TX.
ster Of tho master Key" Mine.

anxiety about her and had received
word In reply that the young engineer
had received conflicting messages.
Unhappily, for the girl, Everett was
called out Of town. And so when ne
found himself forced to make a hur-
ried trip to San Francisco her predica-
ment became the more pronounced.
The false Everett, George Drake, took
1t upon himself to call at the Ritz for
her mail, and, returning with word
that there was none for her, Ruth felt
a strange premonition that matters
were not progressing as they should.
Mrs, Darnell found her gazing out OF
the drawing room window. huddled In
Il pathetic little heap, detection stamp
ed on features and form.
"Dearie," purred the hostess, "you
look rs IL you had lost your last friend
on earth. Do cheer up. What Is the
trouble?" ..~, q
Ruth turned her head, but remained
in the same queer little attitude, reply
ing in a plaintive voice: . r. 49,
Il do not understand why MI. Dorr
has not written or wired Inc. Really.
Mrs. Darnell. ! am beginning to fear
that something has happened to him"
Mrs. Darnell looked at her searching
IT,. but recovered quickly under the
questioning return gaze.
DO not worry, Ruth. Everything
will come out all right. Supposing we
take u drive. The air and sunshine
will do you a world Of good" .
i Every minute was M of delight to
the unsophisticated girl, and each new
sight and vista opened a new world
to her inexperienced mind. After a
stop at Grants tomb they speeded
downtown, reaching Columbus circle
after a run through Central park. A
blowout OF one Of the tires caused a
delay. Ruth tired Of sitting In the
car, and, jumping out, she spied a for
lists window. Before Mrs Darrell
could think Of the possibility Of a mis-.
carriage Of her well laid plans the girl
was inside. She purchased violets for
both and was on her way out when
she saw a telephone. lntuitiyely, rath-
er than from any. other motive. she
hastily called up Mr.. Everett's Office.
TO her amazement she learned" that he
had gone west.
Her news was even more startling
to Mrs. Darnell than it had been to
Ruth. Quick action was needed. and,
leaving Ruth In the, car with a. pre-
,varicated excuse, the older women was
soon phoning to Drake. telling him to
20 west at once and i%nstructtng him
to meet them In San Francisco, where
he was to pose, as Everett and continue
carrying out the plot to secure posses.
sion lof Ruth's mining property.
r. And thus It came about that five
days 1ater found them in the metrop:,
oils OF, the Pacific coast, where they
were met by Drake. still posing as Ev.
erett- y -lstt -" 49, jj&l
The. greatest difficulty, lay IN reconcil-
ing. Ruth's, mind to the mystery Of
Eyerett's sudden departure. after she
had seen him at Mrs. Darnelfs the
night before: But the cleverness of
me cnemer counterbalanced all doubts,
and the girl was therefore persuaded
10 hasten to San Francisco to carry out
her plans.
I Accordingly she wired Dorr. but
again the wires crossed" for. al
though he learned that she was 20
zing to the western city. he again learn.
ed that Everett had failed to connect
with her.
Ruth had been gone many days
when John Dorr received another tele.
gram from Everett that made his heart
stop its regular beat. Alone in his
cabin he pored over 1t as II there
slnust be some hidden meaning beneath
the words. 1t was unbelievable. Aft
r all his pain and his. very careful
G%forethought for her comfort, and safe
ety something had gone wrong. Ev.
ferett was brief:
San Francisco. April :.
John Dorr. Silent Valley. Cal:
Have been unable to find Miss Gallon.
EVERETT.
For awhile bis mind refused to w0rA
logically. All that he could think of
was little Ruth Gallon. she Of the sleE.
lsltr lands and pure eyes. lost in the
srrc:.t city ard piteously seeking u III
,tniliar face. But he pulled himself Wig.
,nrousIy together and called up the
flsclIt ut the station.
4 ''Hill." he said over the telephone
3.'This Is DOrr. | want to get a wtra
through to San Francisco"
"All right. John: what Is it,"
Il John thought Il moment and then die
tated this message:
Charles Everett. Call Building, San Fran
Is cisco:
Miss Gallon was to have gone to the y
Francis. as ! wired you before. DORR
After moiliug over the problem he
felt that he must contide III some one.
or all the mca in the mine he trusted
Only Tom Kane. He strobe down the
l:ll to the cook shanty and found til,