The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-07-02

nor change his tone. ~ have Mi.a
3allon's promise to marry me-"
There was sudden silence, broken
only when WilkersOn's dry throat ne.
tered triumphant croak.
Mrs. Darnell looked at Faversham
with her tawny eyes filled with dull
embers of passion. Everett sat as IL
stunned.
$50 John Dorr gets the kicks and
you get the halfpenceI' said Wilker-
son wildly. II have cursed him. but
all my curses couldn't have punished
him worse. Why" he went on half
Historically. "the poor fool loves herr"
Again silence.
This time Everett broke it, saying
stifay: "You understand our PROPOSE
ton. Do you accept it2"
Mrs. Darnell laid her hand on Wilker.
sons arm, and he seemed to fan into
a profound reverie.
They could see the lights and shad.
ows fiit over his saturnine visage. the
sparkle of his eyes dying into a 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. It may
not amount to anything, but then again
1t may. Fifty thousand Is soon spent.
A mine Is mine"
THE plansv' demanded Sir Donald.
Wtlkerson pulled out of his shirt
bosom an oilskin folded around
square paper. He laid this on the ia
BILE.
There they are" he said, as though
driven to bay.
Mrs. DarnelPs movement Of protest
did not escape either Everett or Faver-
sham. They looked at 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 oilskln 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 and started for the
door.
He and Faversham passed out into
the starry night and vanished. leaving
WilkersOn still at the desk fumbling
the check.
Suddenly he reached for pen and ink
and scra wled his name on the back.
Then he silently handed 1t to Jean
Darnell. biting her red lips and moving
almost imperceptbly, like an animal
about to spring.
She took the bit of paper and tucked
1t in her bosom. Then she turned on
her companion. He met her fiery gaze
coldly.
THE mother lode is on that little bit
] got them to give u.s." he said calmly.
1.-The plans Everett has are false"
And the look that she allowed him
70 see In her eyes was such as no 9th.
er 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 the flames of hell.
Sir Donald spoke a brief good night
TO Everett when they had left the Of
ice and turned toward the bungalow,
leaving the other to go 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 at him with her great eyes filed
with unshed tears and he bent over her
a 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. 'and
Of my heart"
something In her expression told him
ne had said enough. With a cheerful
word he went away.
But the next day Sir Donald renew.
ed his wooing In such a fashion that
Ruth was sorely put to It TO keep him
from demanding such caresses as her
engagement made him rightfully ask
for.
The hardest part was that she per-
ceived that John Dorr now knew that