The daily Alaskan., 1920-07-06
THE GOLDEN KEY
By JACK LAuToN.

John Brent went back to sit be heath the apple tree and wait for the girl. Every morning since their first chance meeting he had watched eager. ly for her appearance. The delightful hint of mystery with which the girl coakcd her Identity had for him the charm of an old tale. He smilvsi as he saw her at the bend of the road, what new ruSe would she choose to excuse her coming?
 Good morning, knight" she greet ed over the old log fence.
 Good morning-Glrl."
 That Is a poor return for the fine name l give you" she laughed.
 You will remember" he reproached her, that I know no other" She came around to him.
 Surely" he bN-Ced, "you are pot going to hold to your first condition that companiOnShIp between us here must mean Its forfeiture later? I'm considered rather a decent sort back there in the city. References fur nIshed to your father, If desirable"
 "l have-no fSther"
 Your mother, then"
 "Or no mother" The girl sadly shook her head.
 (Which" the man went on, sim pIlflcS matters. Then have but to please yourself" He leaned forward seriously grave.
 Before her upon the grass he spread out his drawings touching them with almost careSsing fingers. Her intui- ton was wonderful, instantly she graSpCd each intricate meaning.
 And the key" she said wondering ly, "iS Just this" She placed her finger upon certain part of the mechanism.
 Just that" Brent replied. He drew a great breath. Then impulSivNly his arm went round her. She withdrew quickly, and prettily flushing, from his embrace.
 At StLut NC pltsCu was IVb hN bS a serious game" she reminded.
 Tt has been serious with me-" the man said.
 His eyes deepened in tenderness as they rested upon her. But with lit- tie back thrown laugh, she eluded him, and went running down the path. When she did not return for days, he fretted impatiently that he might not know where to go to seek for her. And when at last she did come, the aloOfness of her manner diSmayed him.
 Girl" he said cOmpelllngly, "there must he no secrets between us now. am going to ask you to be my wife. Who are you, dear-your name. and"
 With a weary gesture she waved him aside.
 You will not want me to be your wife" she said, land there is no love, I fear, broad enough to forgive all things. did not tell you my name, because 1t is the same as that of the interruptions man with whom I make my home. who Is my uncle. He claims also to be an inventor, but is an ad- venturer in many lines. I did not real ize his nature when his wife offered me In my homelessnesS a home, and he, allowing me to make myself sup porting, by helping him in various t,, !, ,f, N experiments In inventions I do the drawing. And after I had been with you that last day" the gird caught her breath. q sat at home thinking, beside the lamp. of your clever dis covery. And as l thought drew idly the very plan you had showed to me. Too late. I realized that my uncle had been interestedly following over my shoulder. that plan. It was his ju- bilant exclamation which awakened me"
 "'SO.' he said, the solution comes at last. to my long studied idea. Where did you get 1t, Lesbet?
 "Already he had the paper in his hand, his beady eyes gllnting greedily. Rapidly I told him, reaching the while for your plan. But he was relentless in his triumph.
 "'The thing Is already mine he said. I have long been working 1t out. That you were fortunate instrument in helninc me to its completion Is but