The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1915-03-31
Thus it was that a couple of days
later old Tom Kane at the Master
Key" mine received q cablegram read

ing:
Wilkerson Darneli aboard Steamship Pa.
ciic: Frxooi Goth. with papers We fol-
low next steamer. DORR.
Thus It was that the struggle be-
tween Wilkcrson and John Dorr was
again transformed to the. valley in
which lay the Master Key" mine.
Wilkerson and Jean DarneIl. with
the precious papers in their possession.
slipped away hurriedly. taking the flrst
steamer that sailed.
He had told her about Drake's death.
though unable to say how It had hap-
pened. Privately he had no regrets,
The young man had served bis pur-
pose. and 1t was by no means doubtful
that Mrs. Darnell would have seen to
1t that. he had his reward. for she
liked him as much as 1t was In her
nature to care for any man. he thought.
HE was an awfuIly good sort" she
said to Wilkerson one night as they
leaned over the rail and watched the
long swells from the bow speed fan
wise into the infinity Of the sea.
'Yes, the fellow had, his good points,"
he admitted.
II miss him. she said simply. Later
she added thoughtfnlly. y think he
was In love With me"
Wilkerson laughed.
Mrs. Darnell glanced at him with an
expression strange on her handsome
face. yes. l am sure he loved me-"
In vain.". lie returned lightly. y
II don't know whether It might have
been wholly In vain after all" she
murmured. life has given me little
lore OF that kind. It seems rs if I
had always been woman who for
mere self projection co,lld not let any
one love me or let myself love him."
II should not have let you love him. !"
vas the quiet response. II have strue-
gled too hard and fought too long for
yoh to allow any one else to have
you."
''And what does your love amount
to. after all. Harry?" she asked. Tell
me plainly. Has it 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. "AIl that !
know is thar love you more than
anything else in the universe. Yon
love luxury and jcwelry and gold and
silk. Because Know what You love !
am trying to get it for you. because I
want you more than want anything
else. III think we are even."
"Eycn?" 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 godr'
When they finally reached San Fran.
cisco Wilkerson found her oddly dis
trait. She did not know whether to
20 to the mine or to return to New
York.
One moment, she was In tigcrish
rage: the next hour she was staring ut
the fog haunted hills with eyes that
saw nothing.
He stormed and argued to no pur-
pose. He recalled to her constantly
the fact that he had the deeds. the
master key itself. the plans Of the To-
cation of the mother lode.
She either listened listlcssly or drove
him away with furious upbraidings
Yet In the end she accompanied him
to Silent Valley.
II was bitter moment for old Tom
Kane when the stage drove up and
Wilkerson and Mrs. DarneIl got out in
stead of John Dorr aud Ruth.
He had hoped against hope. and now
his dreams were in ashes. for Wilker'
sou instantly took charge. the men. as
Tom put it to himself. followed the
paymaster. and so far as outward APP
pearance went the Master Key" mine
was firmly in Wilkerson's possession.
Mrs. Darnell here proved herself the
shtewder 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't be Inn
patient. Our whole power here Is In
the fact that we have the secret. Once
that is public we'll likely lose every.
thing"
.But we ought to be ut work before
Dorr gets back" he would argue.
Eyes, and every court in the land
will help him to regain this mine ana
its wealth. Don't you sect Compro-
mise!'
"Compromisey' he repeated duly.
"Yes. you foOlg'
"But how?"
"Wait-waitt till John and Ruth 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 ut the pier and told them the
news as he had gathered it from faith
full Tom Kane. whom Jean Darnell had
insisted should resume his duties as
cook, sagely observing to Wilkerson
that it would be well for them to have
witness whose veracity DOrr would
not inpugn.
Settled in the hotel. Dorr briefly re-
cited. the experiences OF the past
months and then bluntiy asked. What
are we to do?"
Everett was ready with his answer.