Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-01-27
CHAPTER XII.
The Second Story Man.

SA<SS room where Harry Wilker
&2&&D son had lodged her and bel
maid pending the outcome Of bis wild
plotting to get possession of Ruth Gal
Ions precious papers. Her handsome
and cruel face was clouded with slow
wrath. and she clinched her hands
how and again till the knuckles were
white. O.,
For one thing. Mrs. Darnell loved
the plush Of life. Physical luxury was
her highest wish, the goal Of her lofti-
est ambition, the one price she had set
on her soul. The dull surroundings
she had been forced to accept nauseat-
Ell her. She hated Wilkerson for max
ing her uncomfortable.
So when he came in, walking very
slowly and quietly, she turned on him
like a wildcat.
Take me out Of here!" she painted.
Il wont stay here another hour, Ruth
or no Ruth:
WilkersOn flinched. I'm sorry" he
1asped, but Drake made a mess OF
the whole affair, the police are after
Sing Wah and that girl got away
Mrs. DarneIl stopped In her almost
lIysterical walk about the room and
stared ut Wilkerson with burning eyes.
lie returned her look defautly. "rd
never had to. do all this il you had
done your, part long ago and got the
papers when she was In your charge
he said. But there Is no use In cry
ing over what can't be helped"
At this moment Drake entered, pre-
senting himself ~sullenly. He had al
ready received Wilkerson's acrid com
pliments on bis astuteness in failure,
and he expected nothing less. from
Mrs, Darnell. He was ready to quit
the conspiracy. -.
Jeans quick instinct did not fail her,
and she instantly smiled on; Drake and
murmured: You poor boy! Now tell
me all about it,
When he had finished his relation OF
the mornings experiences, with much
emphasis on the shooting and his mar
row escape from Sing Wah's den. she
looked 1T him thoughtfully.
1T was a ,nadman's scheme" she
said. She turned 10 ,Wilkerson. "Har-
~. you used 10 do things better. Use
your wits! This Isn't the desert. Force
wont avail and time IS getting short,
We must, have those papers immediate
~ and raise the money, on them and
get enough capital ahead to find the
old plan to the mother lode, Of the Mas:
ter Key mine. Use your wits!"
For 4 long moment the three of them
stood IN silence. Then Wilkerson
smiled sardonically. q.g% ys,,1S.
"AlI right. Jean; ! think ! 1 understand
you. I'll see what ! can do today.
First must find out Il few things.
Drake and | will go together"
Thanks" said the young mar drily,
II. have a notion that I'm about fed
up with your plans and plots" -
Before Wilkerson could respond with
the bitter r%eproaches ready on his lips
Mrs. Darnell tnterposed, curbing her
own unruly temper. d
George" she said, looking at him
with suddenly soft eyes. II know Just
how you feel. But It means everything
to me-to all Of us. l have trusted you
50. and II you fail me now She
threw out her arms in a gesture Of
pleading. Then she came closer to bin:
and whispered. and are you going to
give up the stake you are playing for!
You are III love with her"
That's but little reason why l should
help Harry here out with all kinds Of
preposteroCs plans. Tint OF last
night nearly did for us all. II she
hadn't escaped as she did the police
would he ut the door now, a..
John. Dorr' Is a STUPID fool, .Wilker:
son broke. in. ITS been mere luck
that's helped him 50 far. Nobody ever
crossed Harry Wtlkerson yet and goi
away with it.. Old Tom Gallon found
that out" ~ .
Jean Darnell glanced at his feyertsh
eyes and understood him. She knew
that the reaction from the thought that
he had caused DORIS death-the sud-
den surprise Of finding him alive and
in San .Francisco-had shaken his
nerve. He would hereafter seek the
devious and obscure ways he knew so
we'll. Her eyelids almost closed TIL
she was looking at him through mar
row Sits. She seemed satisfied and
turned to Drake. please do 1t for
me-" she urged again. II know Harry
has some good. safe plan In view"
Wilkerson nodded. well be back
before very long. Jean. Better stay
right here 10 that | can get you on the
phone II necessary" .
"Oh, III stay here she Knocked.
THAT seems to be my .role--stayins
where you put me-"
He stepped very close to her and
looked into her stormy eyes. "And II
lput you where you most want to be
In the worlds"
She SAY the passion flaming, rs II
the mans soul were on tire. and drew
back fearfully. Wilkerson understood
that movement aud laughed Srimly.