The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-02-10

lGsr Tor 1JCs I'D rnffsS rot-blo3d and
had no sure refuge nor rendezvous
Yet they would eventually have made
the camp untenable had not the
thoughtful sheriff prepared a surprise
FOR both parties.
After consultation with his advisers
ia the county seat he had appealed to
the governor on the ground that as one
NJ the opposing forces was Mexican
he felt that "A superior authority should
handle SO delicate a situation. The
governor had agreed ana ordered a
troop of cavalry TO the Master Key"
10 preserve order. lt was just when
Wilkerson had seen his chance for a
grand coup that the troopers arrived.
Ruth, with ONE of the women, had
taken refuge in Johns house on the
hill, with old Tom Kane as their body
guard. Wilkerson knew that IL he
could capture Ruth he could make his
own terms. He directed several OF his
men TO make a detour around the hill
and effect this. Meanwhile he set fire
to "a cabin below I'm order 10 distract
the attention of Dorr and his men.
The ruse had nearly succeeded but
for kane's quickness. Though he had
not used his gun for many years. he
had lost none of his old time skill, and
when the marauders made their final
dash on the porch OF the house the
cook, with a single glance over his
shoulder, shot from the hip, His man
tumbled dead at Ruth's feet. and his
companions sneaked back.
At that instant the cavalry rushed
In, and before five minutes were passed
their commander had separated the
combatants and proceeded TO disarm
them.
lie then called Dorr and Wilkerson
to him and curtly stated that his or
ders were TO see that there was no
trouble. What your quarrel Is | don't
know he said.
Wilkerson tried TO argue. but neither
the officer nor the sheriff, who now ar.
rived. would listen to him. They also
turned a deaf ear to John DORIS state
ment of Wilkerson's crimes, including
the kidnapping Of Ruth I'm San Fran.
cisco.
IF you have anything against VIII
kersons the sheriff asserted. swear
out a warrant for him. I'll serve At
quick enough"
With this John must perforce be sat
isfed. but after a conference with
Kane Ii was agreed that the latter
should go to the county seat and make
formal complaint and procure a war,
rant for Wilkerson's arrest on the
ground of forgery.
You and | know those deeds he
fourishes aren't genuine" John said
earnestly. Lets make II an issue and
try it I'm court. At any rate. wen be
rid Of him for awhile"
II know you're right" the old cook
assented heartily. I'm be off today.
With these troopers around the greas
ers won't dare do anything openly.
But keep your eyes open. John, They
will sneak something across If they
can"
Trust MT for that" was the reas-
surfing response.
But when Kane had gone Dorr re.
allied that he was in a nasty predica-
ment Wilkersmn was desperately play
ing SO bold a game that it would take
every resource at his disposal to meet
him successfully. Ruth must be pro
tected In her rights. The Master
Key mine must remain In her posses
sion un~disturbed. That would be i'm
possible until Wilkerson was eliminat-
ed. And that man was after great
stakes; otherwise he would never have
ventured SO far.
As be debated this inwardly John
went oyer in memory all the events of
the brief period since old Thomas Gal
Ion had died. leaving his daughter in
his charge. Before his minds eye ran
the pictures of the last scenes and
then
(To be continued.)