Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1915-01-28

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Cor their authenticity. still no sound
from the miners.
There Is quality in the siicnce OF
the crowd OF earnest men that 10 mors
questioning than any word could be-
The men who had worked and toiled
for old Tom Gallon. who had been de-
ceived and batiied. who had had their
loyalty tested TO the utmost. now de-
handed through their imperious 81
lence that Wilkerson open up his mind
TO them. II he was indeed the owner
Of the Master Key" what did he In
tend TO dor
You'd better say some more quick
ly," warned Drake in low tone. And
Wilkerson, completely bewildered. set
the match to the powder. He stepped
forward with as ugly a look as he
could assume and cried, "Now tell me
what you want?"
Instantly the air was filed with
roars OF rage and disappointment
Fifteen minutes later Harry wilker.
son was sweating within the cabin
With a shaking hand he poured him
self out tumbler OF Tubbs whisky.
He had promised the miners back pay.
steady work, full wages and food He
must make good. and he did not know
how.
"Tubbs." he said sharply, you must
find out what men we can trust Say
nothing, but get all the information
you can. I'll make II worth the willis
of the men who'll stick by me-"
Again the engineer chuckled fatuous-
ly. They'll all stick by ye," he said
sagely. "s'long as We pay 'em like you
said ye would"
Ii was late in the afternoon when
Tom Kane appeared on the mail wag-
on. The driver had already informed
him of how affairs were going, and
the cook wasted no time. He climbed
down from the high seat. jerted his
battered case out of the wagon and
made straight for his shanty. Within
FIVE minutes he had Invested himself
of his black clothes and donned MS
official Overalls and apron. Then ne
appeared on the porch as calm and I'M
concerned as though he had not been
away.
In no time at /all a couple Of dozen
miners had gathered to shake hands
and swap news. Naturally their big
gest item was Wilkersons proclama-
ton of ownership.
At this Tom Kane laughed scorn-
fully. He derided the papers, ridiculed
the miners for being fools easily taken
in and stated in set terms that he.
Tom Kane, actually held the place OK
authority.
This soon came to Wilkerson's ears.
and he hurried down the hill to stop
what he knew to be dangerous secs
sion. Instantly the old cook locked
horns with him.. poohpoohed him to
| his face. called him names OF peculiar
| virulence and offered to fight him ON
any terms.
Before long the camp was in an up
roar, and it was due to certain cooler
heads that trouble did not ensue i'm
mediately. These men insisted that
there was time to settle the dispute OF
ownership. forced Wilkerson to with
| draw his command that Kane leave
the mine instantly and managed to
| bring semblance OF peace out Of dis
order. Kane bowed his neck to the
yske of their authority. but dispatched
q trusty messenger to the station with
a telegram to John to come as sooR as
possible Wilkerson resorted to
scene which was eventually to threat
en- the very existence of the Master
Key" He sent Drake south to confer
with desperate whom he knew, who
could gather band Of MeXicans like
himself on short notice. ready for any
thing that promised loot.
Tel Jose to be here tomorrow
night" he instructed him. III want
about twenty men well armed"
Drake rode away as from destruc-
ton. cursing the luck that had put
him in the power Of such man.
In response TO Kane's message John
Dorr. Ruth Gallon and Everett left
Beverly Hills for Silent Valley. They
arrived the third day after the cook.
and from the moment they were recog-
nized the miners dropped their att-
tude of sulky waiting and thronged
about their mistress. cheering and
shaking hands When they had got
into the big house Kane arrived, apron
and all. TO report on the situation.
Its come TO showdown" he re
marked. "WilkerSon has several or
the worthless fellows here and lot
Of half breeds back I'm the hills. He
knows | have that money Of yours, and
he's promised ii to the Mexicans II
they help him. You see. WilkersoB
will keep his skirts clear that way.
He can say that it was raid by
bandits
How soon does all this happenr'
1rawled John.
Kane glanced at him curiOusly. He
understood that warning not to fright
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