The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-02-26

tween wnkerson and John Dorr was
again transformed TO the valley In
which lay the Master Key" mine.
WiIkerson and lear Darnell. with
the precious papers In their possession.
slipped away hurriedly. taking the irst
steamer that sailed
He bad told her about brakes death,
though unable 10 say bow 1t bad hap
pened. Privately be had no regrets.
The young man had served bis pur.
pose, and IL was by no means doubtful
that Mrs. DarneII would have seen to
it that he had his reward. for she
liked him as much as 1t was In her
nature to care for any man. he thought
"He was an awfully good sort she
said 10 wilkerson one night as they
leaned over the rail and watched the
long sweIls from the bow speed fan
wise into the indnity of the sea
"yes, the fellow had his good points"
he admitted.
Il miss him. she said simply. Later
she added thoughtfnlly. Il think he
was In love with me-"
Wilkerson laughed
Mrs. Darnell glanced al him with an
expression strange on her handsome
face. Eyes. | am sure he loved me"
I'm vain" he returned lightly.
~ don't know whether II might have
been wholly In vain after ALL" she
murmured. life has given me little
love of that kind. II seems as II |
had always been a who for
mere self protection could not let any
one love me or LET myself love him."
II should not have let you love him."
was the quiet response. II have strug-
gled too hard and fought o long for
you to allow any one else to have
you"
And what does your love amount
to, after all. Harry" she asked. Tell
me plainly. Has 1t done either OF US
any good7 VIII 1t ever do Us any
good?"
Wilkerson stared out at the dark sea,
and his face grew slowly very cruel.
"Goodr' he repeated. "All that
know l. that | love you more thar
anything else In the universe. Yor
love luxury and jewelry and gold and
silk. Because ! know what you love
am trying TO &c; 1t for you. because
want O more than | want anything
else. III think WI are even"
"Evenf' she said In a suddenly
strained voice. Yes, we are even
you the felon and the murderer, thu
receiver OF stolen goods. stolen happi
ness. stolen life. stolen goldF'
When they finally reached San Fran
cisco Wilkerson found her oddly dis
trait. She did not know whether 4
60 to the mine or to return to Nev
York.
One moment she was In a tigerisl
rage: the next hour she was staring a
the fog haunted hills with eyes tina
saw nothing.
He stormed and argued to no pun
pose. He recalled to her CONSTANT
the fact that he had the deeds. tn
master key itself. the plans of the 10
cation OF the mother lode
She either listened listlessly or drov
him away with furious upbraiding'
Yet In the end she accompanied hir
to Silent Valley.
1t was a bitter moment for old Tor
Kane when the stage drove up an
Wilkerson and Mrs. Darnell got out II
! stead of John Dorr and Ruth.
He had hoped against hope, and no
his dreams were in ashes, for Wnke
son instantly took charge. the men. :
Tom put it to himself. followed II
paymaster, and . far as outward al
pearance went the Master Key" mir
was firmly In Wilkerson's possession.
Mrs. Darnell here proved herself Il
shrewder mind. Though she was lit
seen. her influence was potent.
\ And more than anything else 81
\ worked on Wilkerson so that he d
not use the plans and open up Il
rich vein.
wait" she told him. Don't be In
patient. Our whole power here Is
the fact that we have the secret On'
] that is public we'll likely lose ever
thing"
but we ought to be at work befo
Dorr gets back" he would argue.
YES, and every court In the Lar
IL will help him to regain this mine al
its wealth. Don't you sect Compr
miser'
'. "Compromisel' he repeated duly.
Yes. you foolr'
But howT
n "Wait-walt till John and Ruth 8
back. They'll be glad enough to b.
those plans, Harry"
When John Dorr and Ruth arriv
n. on the following steamer Everett n
" them ut the pier and told them I
news as be had gathered It from fait
m full Tom Kane. whom Jean Darnell D.
10 Insisted should resume his duties
cook, sagely observing to Wnkers
y. that It would be well for them to ia
a witness whose yeracity Dor wor
A. not impugn.
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