The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-06-25

"I'II see you dead firstI"
and he seemed again to feel the soft
threads of the web she wove about
him.
She had found him young man at
the precise point where a woman may
either make or mar one for life.
He had been an easy prey for her
tigerish desire for a slave. He had
spent his little money lavishly upon
her, without thought of other reward
than to be near her, until Wilkerson
had appeared out of the darkness Of
her past
Even then he had still been faithful
to her. obeyed her every behest, risked
life and liberty In her service, even
aided Wilkerson in an endeavor whose
success meant that hei Drake would
be cast aside as no longer useful.
And now he sat on guard in a hut
In a far country among a crowd of
aliens whose very tongue was gibber-
ish to his ears.
On guard for whom? For what?
That Wilkerson might finally sue
coed and win Jean Darnen of the
tAwny eyes and luxuriant beauty.
In that moment-was it to be too
late?-Drake came into his own.
The mine and its wealth were as
much his as Wilkerson's.
The plans were his as much as
Wilkerson's.
Yet the man asleep on the settle had
taken everything to himself and would
continue to do so.
And Jean?
Drake laughed silently.
He knew her price. He surrendered
his last conversations With her, those
half confidential talks when she had
lnsinuatingly warned him to keep
watchful eye on Wilkerson.
He had been given to understand
that 1t was the gold she wished. And
he Drake) had the key to that gold
In his own keeping for the while.
He set his teeth when he realized
how Wilkerson despised him, had
counted him altogether as a mere pawn
in the great game.
He had not even troubled to conceal
from him the hiding place Of the
plans!
They were once more within the
idol, for Wilkerson had boosted that he
had put them back and would leave
them there till he reached America
again.
He recalled his words: Let the idol
keep 'em for me. just as 1t did for
Gallon. It's a poor idol that won't
serve two masters"
And the idol lay there wrapped In
the bundle under his feet The price
of Jean Darnell.
The thought worked In his mind &C.
lively. He could not refrain from fol-
lowing 1t out to its logical conclusion.
Why Should II he Wilkerson who re-
turned with the plans and claimed her
Why should he Drakel continue to
play the slave!
A moment while they slept and the
plans were his; then when Wilkerson
unsuspectingly presented the idol and
pulled out Its eye there would be
nothing!
II would be George Drake who held
the master key to Jean Darnelrs ava.
ricious heart
So he dreamed. open eyed, staring
into future where he played the
master and not the slave.
And In his waking dream he touched
the bundle and felt beneath the rude
covering the hard contours OF the
image.
Again II ran through his head like
call; You have the price of happiness
beneath your hand
Slowly he yielded to the temptation.
Gradually, with eyes constantly hxed
on the motionless forms Of Wilkerson
and Dorr. he got the bundle between
his knees; then he unlaced the fasten'
ingS TREMENDOUSLY.
The idol came out under his hand.
and he stared at 1t. fascinated by It's
ugllness and the thought of the secret
that II held.
No wonder that at every sight OF 1t
natives bowed in object worship.
II held wealth. power, love. happi-
ness.
He shook II softly. Yes. the plans
were still within: he could hear the
rustic of the folded Dapers