White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1915-04-25

"You may be too late" was the quiet
response.
press upon her the dangers of the pro
posed expedition.
They're old %grannies.' was Johns
disrespectful comment. Ruth. you
know that without those plans we're
helpless to make The Master Key into
what your father wanted 1t to be. |
set out to get those plans, and I've not
come this far to turn back"
II know" she said miserably. But
everybody says il is all f~oolishness.
Sir Donald
"Oh. that quitterf he interrupted.
~ know he prefers sitting around max
ing love to you to doing something
really worth while"
There was the glimmer of a smile on
Ruth's lips as she answered meekly.
Then you don't think that-sitting
around-and making love to me-is-
worth while?'
For a moment John stood and stared
at her. The blood rushed into his face.
Then the full meaning OF her light
evasion of his real meaning struck him
like a blow between the eyes
His heart was filled with love for
her, a love that had grown and tncreas-
ed since the hour when he had first
seen her at old Tom Gallons door.
He had thought that his devoted sery-
ice to her interests, his constant atten-
ton to the slightest detail that could
insure her future happiness. would
have published that love 10 her.
He was minded to tell her now, to
forego all else In order TO WOO her for
himself.
Ruth be began. But some sub
tie change in her manner froze the hot
words on his lips.
Well" he went on. controlling him
self by a tremendous effort and trying
10 speak lightly It'll be off. Thank
heaven you'll be safe here"
There was a struggle In Ruth's breast
too. Yet the memory of her promise
TO + aversham stilled her.
In that long and terrible moment she
realized that John Dorr was all In all
to her. Yet she was bound to another
who had risked his life ON the strength
of her promise To marry him. and she
could not speak what was Ia her heart.
She tried to look John bravely in the
eyes. and the tears would come in
spite of her.
She bowed her head, and SO he left
her. with bitterness in his soul, but
the firm resolve to carry out his self
appointed task no matter what the out
come.
Faversham was us good as his word,
and the old native agreed once more to
risk the hills and guard this stranger
who. he was convinced. had lost his
mind.
But his duty was plain and Sir Don
aids i~njunetions not TO be trifed with.
That evening the two of them set forth,
following in the track of Wilkerson
and his party
without further farewell hurt Ruth
sorely.
1t seemed to mark a definite break
in their frank relations. and she felt
that when he returned with the plans
she would have to receive him III ar
entirely new footing-the footing of a
business man with his employer.
And while the hurt was fresh she
turned 10 Sir Donald gratefully. He
had acted most delicately in all their
experiences together. He had proved
his devotion by coming with them to
India and during the horrible night
mare when their hotel had been the
center of assault by fanatical natives.
He had accepted her promise without
undue exactions. He had seemed to be
waiting till he and she could speak
more definitely.
Faversham was by no means dull,
and be played the part of II kind friend
during the first days of Johns alb
ence.
He knew that Dorr was In love with
Ruth. and he strongly suspected that
her feeling for him had once bordered
on love.
He would tear open no old wounds
He was devoted, cheerful. always at
her call. but never insistent on his
privileges.
The American consul liked him from
the first and told his wife that Ruth
would be a fool II she preferred a hare
Drained IDIOT to a solid gentleman with
no nonsense about him and assured po-
sition In society.
Mrs. Reynolds. having been rebuffed
when she sought Ruth's condolences.
merely stated 1t as her opinion that
, all girls were alike. a dogma the con-
sui was too wise to argue.
But he gave Sir Donald the freedom