Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-06-03

only when Wilkerson's dry throat ut
tered a triumphant croak.
Mrs. Darnell looked at Faversham
with her tawny eyes filled with dull
embers of passion. Everett sat as ii
stunned.
$50 John Dorr gets the kicks and
you get the halfpence!" said Wilker-
son wildly. II have cursed him, but
all my curses couldn't have punished
him worse. Why" he went on half
Historically, 1.-THE poor fool loves her!''
Again silence.
This time Everett broke it. saying
) stiffly: you understand our PROPOSE
tion. Do you accept it?"
Mrs. Darnell laid her hand on Wilker.
sons arm. and he seemed to fall into
profound reverie.
They could see the lights and shad-
ows fit over his saturnine visage. the
sparkle of his eyes dying into mere
dreamy glow. the sudden Tightening
Of his thin lips. the working Of his
hands.
Finally he reused himself as by an
effort.
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 mine"
1.-The plans!" demanded Sir Donald.
| Wilkerson pulled out Of his shirt
bosom an oilskin folded around a
square puper He laid this on the ta-
| BILE.
There 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 ut the little packet
that had cost so much agony and
bloodshed.
ut is IA gentleman's agreement"
said Sir Donald presently. taking out
his check book.
The money passed. and then Everett
picked up the oilskin packet and put
1t in his pocket.
The deeds and the master key" he
said gently.
Mrs. Darnell's face became splendid
in its futile rage. She tore the ribbon
from about her throbbing throat and
flung the key on the table.
Sir Donald picked 1t up carefully and
rose. At the same moment Everett
pocketed the deeds aud started for the
door.
He and Faversham passed out into
the starry night and vanished, leaving
Wilkerson still ut the desk fumbling
the check
Suddenly he reached for pen and ink
and scrawled his name on the back.
Then he silently handed 1t to Jean
Darnell. biting her red lips and moving
almost imperceptibly. like an animal
about to spring.
She took the bit of paper and tucked
ii IN hei bosom Then size turned Oh
her companion He met her fiery gaze
coldly
1.-The mother lode is OH that little bit
got them to give u.s." he said calmly.
'"rhe plans Everett has are false"
And the look that she allowed him
to see In her eyes was such as no 9th.
err man had ever seen there. 1t was
as II her tortured and lonely. proud soul
had found its mate In some darkness
made lurid by tile 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 90 up to where
the light burned In John DORIS cabin
and tell him OF the events Of the even.
Ing.
He met Ruth at the door and quietly
told her that all was well. She looked
up ut him with her great eyes filled
with unshed tears and he bent over her
little.
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"
Something In her expression told hin
he had said enough. With cheerful
word he went away.
But the next day Sir Donald renew
| a6 10 in, <I,n
Ruth was sorely put to 1t to keep hin
from demanding such caresses us bel
engagement made him rightfully ash
for
The hardest part was that she per
cefved 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 relation to Ruth into his narrative
of what had occurred in the office.
John had taken the blow steadily
but be was not one to walk In the
dark. He sought out Ruth and In 9
few words drew from her the truth.
Now we all know where we stand
John said bravely. smiling at her.
But II thought you loved me too.
she mu.:nured.
That doesn't alter the matter" hi
said comfortingly. Now l must gel
to work. I've lots to do. Wilkersor
. has already started work around tn,
spur. and must begin driving into
the place where your father fount
that rich vein. We may drift into Il