The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-05-21

5 N41 A1lASlI lOOhcO ~ EdVSlSu0u
with her tawny eyes filled with dull
embers of passion. Everett sat as If
stunned
$50 John Dorr gets the kicks and
you get the halfpence!" said Wilker-
son wildly. Il have cursed him, but
all my curses couldn't have punished
him worse. Why" he went on half
shysterically, the poor fool loves herr
Again silence.
This time Everett broke 1t. saying
stimy: "You understand our PROPOSE
ton. Do you accept itY''
Mrs. :Darnell laid her hand on Wilker-
sons arm. and he seemed to fall into
q profound zreverie.
8 They could see the lights and shad-
sows fit over his saturnine visage, the
sparkle Of his eyes dying into a mere
dreamy glow the sudden Tightening
of. , his thin lips. the working of his
hands. ~ -. -. r.. ,.,.@
Finally he reused himself as by an
effort. .<7s-. 7 >-:
II think ought to have more," he
said quietly. There are signs of gold
on one part of this property which has
never been worked. 1t is nowhere near
the place marked In the plans. as you
will easily see. You understand that
Tom Gallon and were partners when
he located that rich ORE Never mind.
Bygones are bygones. But | want
$4,000 and that little claim. 1t may
not amount to anything, but then again
it may. Fifty thousand is soon spent.
A mine is a mine.' J.. r..
" The plans! demanded Sir Donald.
Wnkerson pulled out of his shirt
bosom an oilskin folded around a
square paper. He laid this on the ia
bic. ~.~ -. e.
'"rhere they are,''. he said, as though
driven to bay.
Mrs. Darnell's movement of protest
did not escape either Everett or Faver-
sham. They looked at the little packet
that had cost 50 much agony and
bloodshed. -. t + -....
lit is IA gentleman's agreement
said Sir Donald presently. taking out
bis check book. . -
The money passed, and then Everett
picked up the oilskin packet and put
it in his pocket. :.
THE deeds and the master key" be
said gently. *.-'.
Mrs. Darnell's face became splendid
in it's futile rage. She tore the ribbon
from about her throbbing throat and
flung the key on the table. r. ~
Sir Donald picked it up carefully and
rose. At the same moment Everett
pocketed the deeds and started for the
door. ~, 49,, ~.
He and Faversham passed out into
the starry night and vanished, leaving
Wilkerson still at the desk fumbling
the check. -. -....
Suddenly be reached for pen and ink
and 5scrawled his name on the back.
Then he silently handed it to Jean
Darneli, biting herred lips and moving
almost imperceptibly. like an animal
about to spring. 5s -.~ .
She took the bit of paper and tucked
it in her bosom. Then she turned on
her companion. He met her fiery gaze
co1dly. ..,. ..--- -. p. --..-.:-. .
"The: mother lode is on that little bit
lgot them to1give U.s." he said calmly.
1.-The plans Everett has are false
And the look that she allowed him
to see in bel. eyes was such as no 9th
er man had ever seen there. 1t was
as If her tortured and lonely, proud soul
had found its mate in some darkness
made lurid by the flames of hell
Sir Donald spoke brief good night
to Everett when they had left the of
fee and turned toward the bungalow,
leaving the other to go up to where
|1the light burned in John DORIS cabin
and tell him Of the events Of the even
ing l.: -.,.ya... -. 49,. 3
Helmet Ruth at the door and quietly
told her that all was well. She looked
up at him with cher great eyes filed
with unshed tears and he bent over her
a little. 81
Then he drew out the master key
and put the ribbon over her head until
the dull brass shone ON her white
throat.
You are once more the mistress Of
the master key" he said gently, land
Of my heart s.
Something in her expression told him
be had said enough. With cheerful
word he went away.
But the next day Sir Donald renew
ed his wo0ing in such a fashion that
Ruth was sorely put to 1t to keep him
from demanding such ..caresses as her
engagement made him rightfully ask
for.
The hardest part was that she per-
ceived that John Dorr now knew that
she was to marry Sir Donald
He did not know, nor ever would,
what that marriage was the price Of.
Everett, OF course, had quietly intro.
duced Sir DOnald's assertion Of his
new rela ton to Ruth into his narrative
Of what had occurred In the Office.
John had taken the blow steadily,
but he was not one to walk In the
dark. He sought out Ruth and in a
few words drew from her. the truth.
Now we all know where we stand
John said brayely, smiling at her.
But LII thought yon loved me too. .
she murmured.
That doesn't alter the NATTER he
said comfortingly. Nov must get
to work. I've lots to do. Wilkerson
has already started work around the
spur. and must begin driving into
the place where your father found
that rich vein. We may drift into Ii
any day. =
Naturally enough the two camps kept