The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1915-02-10

R8D plain to him that he could
not avoid action. The starving men
were in no humor for words. They
demanded food and wages.
At last he saw that he must do
something Immediately. He called
some of the leaders into the Office and
with apparent frankness told them he
had known nothing of the situation
and that he felt sure Wilkcrson was
unaware Of it.
what are you going to do?" came
the demand.
'.rhis." replied Drake. writing rap
idly. He showed them the message:
Harry Wilkerson. Los Angeles. CAL:
Come to mine at once. Trouble is brew
ing. DIANE
Twill that bring him:" demanded
one OF them coldly.
ut will. Now who will take 1t and
send it?''
Two men volunteered to take old
Tom kanes burros and make the trip.
And while you're in Silent Valley"
Drake said, yielding to sudden in
spiration, take this $40 and get some
grub for the camp"
There's still some locked up in the
cook house." said another. Its old
Tom Kane's lookout, so we didn't ex-
actly feel like taking it..
Drake turned to Tubbs quickly.
distribute the food as far as it will
go" he said.
Tubbs looked suddenly serious. II
guess you better leave that to me-" he
said in low voice. II know where
it will do the most good" He wnked
slyly.
Meantime John Dorr. Everett and
Tom Kane were spending long hours
in discussing what WAS to be done to
save the Master Key to Ruth. Tom
once more Went ever the exact situa-
ton ut the mine and asserted that I'M
less prompt measures were taken net
only would there be actual distress.
but likely riotins.
You know some of the worst ones
hang with .Wilkersol," he said grim
ly, and they might ut any time take
it into their heads to do a little dyna-
hitting. Dynamiting is mighty dan
gerous stuff around several thousand
dollars worth OF machinery, and 1t
they blew up the workings there
wouldn't be any mine left, you see
~ sce." said Everett ut last. Not
having the papers. can't put this deal
through the way want to eventually.
But something must bedone on the
spot"
IN the way of money!" added Kane
harshly.
PRECISELY" Everett assented with all
chcerfuiness. Now I'm going to loan
John Dorr here $1,000 today for the
Master Key mine. Them
John shook his head. THAT isn't
busincss-like," he protested.
Everett fixed his Keen eyes on him.
ANY reason why shouldn't loan
money to Miss Ruth Gallons manager
and guardian? Any reason why You.
looking after her interests. should re-
fuse help in fixing up her affairs"
porr flushed. II didn't mean it that
way. 1t seems rs if kind Of messed
things up myself, and IL thought l
might get 'em set right by myself"
You called on me. and I'm the doc
tor" said Everett authoritative!y. He
pulled out his wallet and commenced
counting out bills. II came prepared
for this, for thought there might be
an emergency"
but who will take charge Of 1t?
Who will so to the mine!"
The broker laughed at him. Not
you. You'd be in !; fight in three min
utcs. specially if Wilkerson turned up.
Tom Kane is our man." He turned on
the old man abruptly. viii you take
this money and go:'
The old cook stared ut the crisp bills
and then at Dorr. Il amt handled
paper worth that much lately" he re-
marked. But if you want me to 80
in there and feed them people and get
'em back to work and keep things SO.
Ing till John can fix things up here Ill
go
On his way to the mine Harry Will
kerson's courage. newly fired by last
conversation with Jean Darnell. COM
menccd to ebb.
Drake aud Tubbs received him with
unaffected relief. \ few words SUI
iced to make the status of affairs
plain. Tubhs looked ut his superior
with strained anxiety in his bleared
eyes. Dull aItl sodden with liquor as
he was. he understood perfectly that
everything depended on the next few
days. The engineer had lived i'll min
ing camps ana OH the desert all his
life. and he knew the passions ensen.
dcred by the arid mountains aud the
rcmorseless desert What would VIII
kerson do? Was he strong enough to
handle these men who were ready for
anything. even to bloodshcd if aroused?
Wilkerson had lost his sense of fear
oddly enough. AS he had come into
the camp dozen miners had recos-
nizcd him and scowled. He had felt