The Arizona copper camp., 1915-09-11


you"
And what does your love amount
10. after all. Harry" she asked Tell
me plainly Has ii done either of us
any good: Will it ever do us any
good?"
Wilkerson stared out at the dark sea.
and his face grew slowly very cruel.
"Good?" he repeated '"All that
know is that | love you more than
anything else in the universe You
love luxury and jewelry and gold and
silk Because | know what you love |
am trying to get it for you. because
want you more than | want anything
else IL think we are even
"Even?' she said in suddenly
strained voice "Yes. we are even
you the felon and the murderer. the
receiver of stolen goods. stolen happi
ness. stolen life. stolen goldr
When they finally reached San Fran
cisco WikerSon found heI oddly dis
trait She did not know whether TO
go to the mine OF TO return to New
York
One moment she was in Il ti2erlSh
rage: the next hour she was staring at
saw nothing.
He stormed and argued to no pur
pose. He recalled TO her constantly
the fact that he nad the deeds. the
master key itself. the plans of the 10
cation OF the mother lode.
She either listened liStleSsly OF drove
nim ava. with furious npbr;lidings
Yet in the end She accompanied MIN
to Silent Valley
1t was a bitter moment for old Tom
Kane when the stage drove up ana
Wilkerson and Mrs Darnell got out in
stead of John Dori and Ruth
He had hoped against hope. and now
mis- dreams were III ashes. for Wilker
son instantly took charge. the men. as
Tom put il TO himself followed the
paymnster. and SO far aS outward ap-
pearance went the Master Key" mine
was firmly in Wilkersons possession.
Mrs Darnell here proved herself the
shrewder mind Though she was little
seen her influence WAS potent.
And more than anything else she
worked on Wilkerson so that he did
not use the plans and open up the
rich vein
Wait" she told him Don be im
patient. Our whole power here Is III
the fact that we have the secret Once
that is public we'll likely lose every
thing"
But we ought to be at work before
Dorr gets back. ne would argue.
"Yes. and ever, court i'll the land
will help. him to regain this mine and
its wealth Don't yon see: Compro-
miser'
"CompromiseT' he repeated duly.
"Yes. you foolr
bat howY'
wait wait till John and 'Rutb get
back They'll be glad enough to buy
those plans. Harry
When John Dorr and Ruth arrived
on the following steamer Everett met
them at the pier and told them the
news as he had gathered II from faith
full Tom Kane. whom Jean l)arnell had
insisted should resume MS duties as
cook, sagely observing TO Wilkerson
that II would he well for them to have
a witness whose veracIty DorI would
not impugn.
Settled in the hotel. Dorr briefly re-
cited the experiences OF the past
months and then bluntly asked. What
are we to do?
Everett was ready with his answer.
COMPROMISED"
The dull red flooded johns face. and
ne bit his lip Had all his work gone
for nothingi
Everett laid friendly hand ON his
knee Now listen. he said gravely
Here is Miss Ruth minus her key,
practically ousted from possession of
her property and. II We are not mis-
taken. unable to lay her hands ON her
most precious Inheritance the plans OF
the mother lode They're in Wilker-
sons possession.
And he's digging he gold night and
day." John burst out.
With swift glance to reassure Ruth.
who SAT in mournfu silence. Everett
went on
'"rhat is the shrewd part of Wilker
sons play. he KNOWS Cnat the law
will give Miss Ruth here back her mine
and all that it contains. 1t would
take time. but as sure as we are sit
ting here. and no one knows it better
than he justice would strip him Of ev-
cry i'll gotten cent and send him to
prison with his accomplice. So what
does he do! Hastily uncover the real
prize! No He conceals it still and
merely works the original mine"
But we can put him out of fathers
mine cant we?' demanded Ruth.
And when we do We shall still be
no wiser ;S to the location of the real
gold All our trouble and expense will
have gone fot naught. Wilkerson will
still hold the secret of the Master
Key"
And how are we going to get 1t
from him.: demanded Dorr. clinching
his fist
Everett smiled by buying 1t from
him
He will ask milliOns!'
The broker smiled again
Consider WilkerSons position for a
l. 10 fria