The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-04-16
THE MASTER KEY.

Wilkerson flushed Miss Gallon, I
hope that you don't think that I'm not
doing my best am John Dorr and
| have gone over this matter together
he agrees with me that we have II bsO
lutely lost the vein and that IT The
Master Key is to pay anything more
we must find 1t again
Ruth's expression softened at the
mention OF John DORIS name What
does he think?' she demanded. What
is the chance of finding 1t againY'
"lf we run west Dorr thinks" SAID
Wilkerson slowly, well recover the
vein, but that will cost money. which
we haven't got DO you realize, Miss
Gallon, that the pay roll here is over
$1,000 a dayT Within week l have
to pay out over $4,000 for the month,
and | tell you frankly that when |
have paid that there will be no more
money to the account Of The Master
Key in the bank in Silent Valley"
Ruth realized that ne was speak king
the truth. even jessentng the lmme-
distaste OF the man was too great to
allow her to discuss the matter with
him in the intimate way which she felt
was necessary She must see John
DOrT
She quickly dismissed Wilkprson ana
then went to lburr : ufhrr herself. meet
ing min AT the du0r. She bore az u
gift small basket 1t truI Without
preliminHrieS she SaId John are we
broke?
He laughed, then his race grew
grave The mine Is not paying" he
said briefly
but cant we make 1t payi What
is the matter?"
Money" said John
But why money!
1T will cost $4,000 to drive that
new tunnel" John added as they en-
tered the office.
But Mr. Wilkerson just said he was
going to pay over $4,000 to the men,"
Ruth said soberly IF we have that
much money, why can't we
A tenderness flooded DORIS eyes. he
comprehended her helplessness, under
stood why old Thomas Gallon had been
so insistent that he. John Dorr, should
look after her She was mere child
He tried to explain the exact situation.
with the result that Ruth finally push.
ed him Off his high stool, got up on 1t
herself and wrote in a large, childish
hand right across the face of one of
his new drawings, 81 must raise So.
OOOP
She swung around to John and asked,
"How can | get $1O,OO0?"
Dorr hesitated. His plan was risky
In view of Wilkerson's attitude, but
after all. the money must be raised
He said quietly: pledge the stock you
own in The Master Key. know
man in New York who will loan you
$4,000 on it." He bent over her ear.
nestly. But listen. Ruth. If we spend
the $4,000 and we don't find the moth
er lode, you lose the mine, It's just
IKE a mortgage on a farm"
but you wouldn't suggest this II 1t
weren't the only way out" she said
briefly. "Now. how am | to do this?"
"You must go to New York and see
George Everett. l will give you let
ter to him. and he will see to it that
you get the extra money we need
Meanwhile I'll keep the mine going"
Ruth gave him her full eyes, You
don't like Mr.. Wlkerson. do your
II don't trust him." he replied.
At this moment the superintendent
entered the office and. seeing their two
heads close together over the desk he
scowled.
II came to see what we are going
to do about that new tunnel" he said
roughly. II don't like to start In any
thing ! can't finish"
Ruth swung around to say quietly:
Il am going to New York city to see
Mr. George Everett, a friend of MIR
DORIS. and | will come back with the
$4,000"
Everett, Everett"-repeated Wilker
son, who is George EverettT"
Despite Johns frowns. Ruth volu
bly, explained. When she had finished