Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, February 19, 1915, Page 4

. egraph CHAPTER V. The Night Rider. HE light In the bungalew on the bhill across the valley winked as some one passed ™ beneath it and the window. “T can sce clearly enough,” said Wil- kerson, “that there is a girl mixed. up In this affalr. walked like that." He rode slowly down the steep hill till be reached the pumping engine. Bill Tubbs, the bulky, sodden faced engineer, came to the doorway. “Is this ‘The Master Key?” de- manded Wilkerson. “It certainly is,” was the response. “And—old Tom Gallon runs it?" Wilkerson pulled out a flask, divining Bill Tubbs' ruling vice, and the en- glneer, after a long drink, wiped his mouth with the back of his oily hands. *“So you are looking for Thomas Gal- lon, are you? Well, he owns this mine, but it's mostly run by a young girl there In that bungalow on the hill You see, Tom ain't up to what he used to be. The ore i3 getting worse every day and the old man's sick up there in his house.” “I'm going up to see him now,” said Wilkerson. He rode on a few yards and surveyed the snug houses, stamp mill and all the apparatus of the grow- ing mine and snarled: “So this is what be wanted for himself!” The man he was seeking lay prop- ped up in bed. To Ruth he gave ev- erything—silks and down and all the soft things of this life. Himself he still slept on a hard cot with a straw pillow under his head—that is, he had slept. It seemed to him that sleep had forever fled, and he was now look- ing up into Ruth's face almost plead- ingly, trying to keep his grim old lips from asking sympathy. There was reason in his mind that he should ac- cept no tender ministration from the lovely girl who stood beside him. His sacrifice must be complete; so when his daughter bent over him and asked him if he felt all right he mustered a smil *“There’s nothing the matter with me, Ruth,” he was saying, and his glance sought that of John Dorr, who stood at the foot of the bed. The eyes of the two men met, and Dorr impercep- tibly nodded his head in token that he would not tell. “ Not that he yet knew the secret of “The Master Key,” but he recognized the fact that sooner or later he was to know. Ruth stooped over and said: “Papa, 1 don’t believe you do feel well. I'm going to make you some- thing hot to drink. I'll bring you a toddy.” And she went into the kitch- en and shut the door. When she was gone John nodded a pleasant “Good night,” and also left. Then old Thomas Gallon rose and went to his worn desk and got his well thumbed diary. “I am haunted,” he wrote slowly, “al- ways haunted. Am I to dle without knowing whether Wilkerson is alive and that Ruth is safe?” At that moment he glanced up and thought he saw the sinister face of his former partner at the window. By the strongest effort of will he managed to control himself and went on writing: “Wilkerson still " allve by night! When will he come out into the day? He shall never have the key that would unlock the secret to my little oirl’s happiness. T will trust John.” TFancy to yourself scenes that must bave fled llke swift films before the old man's eyes as he put the diary away. The desert and fits mortal thirst; Wilkerson, ever drinking greed- ily of precious water; gold; murder; his escape with the plans, their loss in the chest when the vessel went down in a caldron of flame; the image of his dying wife; the plcture of the babe he had lifted from her chill breast —Ruth, for whom he had suffered. He bowed his head on his folded arms. Such {is the bitterness that the night brings upon those who are alone. When Ruth came in with the steam- ing glass of toddy she quietly set the glass down and went out on the porch to look at the light across the gulch which marked John Dorr’s window. Youth was calling to youth. It was no apparition ghat Gallon had seen at the window this time. It was really Wilkerson, who, after one satis fied glance, rode swiftly away. It was midnight when he-rapped at the door of the Valle Vista railroad station and called the Sleepy agent. “1 want to get a telegram through right away,” he said brusquely. “There 1is an extra dollar in your pocket if you can rush it.” The slender boy who represented the Rocky Mountain Southern railroad si- lently led the way in, turned up the wick of the lamp and shoved blanks nnd pencil across the counter. “You look half asleep to me,” Wilker- son growled as he picked up the pen cil. The boy scanned the stranger quiet- 1y and opened the drawer of his tel- desk and faced his visitor again. Wilkerson caught the glint of the steel barrel of a revolver in that drawer. “You must have some money in the safe,”” he snarled. The boy looked at him with steely blue eyes and stated in a perfectly matter of fact tone, “I merely wanted to show you that I am awake.” Their glances met. It was Wilkerson’s eyes that fell. He grasped the pencil and wrote on the yellow blank: Valle Vista, Cal,, March 12. Jean Darnell, Astor House, New York City, N, Y.: Have found Gallon at last. *“Master Key” mine tomorrow. WILKERSON. He shoved the paper scross to the operator and said roughly: “Now, earn that extra dollar!” He banged two sil- ver coins on the counter. The operator scanned the message, took another look at his customer and shoved one.of the colns back. Tom Galion never Address “The charge to New York is said mildly. Wilkerson scowled, “Well, rush that anyway!” He strode out of the little office and mounted his horse. The weary animal tried to turn in toward its accustomed corral, but its rider reined it sharply back-into the road toward “The Master Key” mine. “I think Gallon will recognize me," be muttered to himself. Tom Kane, who since the beginning of the camp had been the open handed but close mouthed cook, sounded his triangle. - Immediately poured out from the quarters of the unmarried men a stream of miners. As he had done for many years, Thomas Gallon went to the window to watch this morning ceremony. He saw that the men greet- ed John Dorr respectfully, yet gen- fally. “It was a lucky day when Jobn Dorr came,” he muttered to himself. Then his eye caught the figure of a horse- man riding leisurely down the street. apparently careless of the scowls from the men agninst whom he brushed roughly. The old man rubbed his eyes feebly and looked again. Yes, it was true. He could never mistake that figure or that saturnine visage. God! Why haa his bullet not gone through that face? He reached for his gun with somewhat of the vigor of youth; he was safe now. One shot out of that window and that figure that had baunted him for years would tumble and fall and forever dis- appear from his life. He could do it. He put the gun down quietly and dropped his chin on his breast. He re- alized that his years of struggle had: broken down the indomitable spirit of" bis youth and his pride. He was an old man; he could not keep Wilkerson from: coming back. Harry Wilkerson saw that face at the window, and his smile hardened. He thought he would take Gallon by surprise possibly, but before e rapped 7 66 “Still partners in ‘The Master Ke on the redwood door Gallon had had time to clutch the key—*“The Master: Key” to the- riches in San Jacinto mine—and hurriedly thrust it into a: drawer in the desk and sbut it from: sight. As the door swung open the two mem looked at each other. Then the younger: | man said softly, “Pardner!” “Pardner!” said Gallon, as if incred- | He called to his aid all his frai) | ulous. physical strength to face the final ca~ tastrophe. “Still partoers,” sald@ Wilkerson, step- | ping on in and closing the door; “stilk partners in ‘The Master Key!' " Involuntarily Gallon clutched at his throat, where that golden key bhung 80 long. Could he live to fight this thing through? The agony in his chest was unbearable. “What do you want?” he asked hoarsely. Wilkerson flung his riding quirt on the table and pulled off his gantlets. “Well,” he @rawled, “partner, 1 guess there are several things 1 want.” He fixed his dark eyes on the old man. “And there's one thing I'm going to [ bave, and that’s my share of ‘The Master Key.’" “Your share?” parried Gallon. “My share!” said Wilkerson, realiz- ing that he controlled the situation. “I have returned for my just due! “Now, listen, partner, I am going to | stand no nonsense.” “What have you been doing all these | years?" the old man asked dully “Why haven’t you been here before?” ‘“None of your business,” snarled Wil kerson. “All I've got to say is that I managed to get to New York. Now I'm back after finding out that you made a strike, the find you made when we were partners. How did you get back here?" Gallon looked at his enemy with the simplicity of an old man telling a proved truth. *“They were all my friends,” he sald. : “Friends?” said Wilkerson in a sud- denly changed voice, and, thrusting his contorted face close to Gallon’s, “I don’t care about your friends, but you better care about the enemy you made.” < For one instant the mine owner's face grew stern and pitiless. But he beard a step on the outside porch, and his face softened. “My God. Harry; 1 did it for the il The evil soul of Wilkerson flared be- bind those cold ‘eyes of his, and for the first time in his life be told the truth of his inmost heart, *‘And I must bave my share of ‘The Master Key’ to buy a woman.” “What woman?” Wilkerson leaned forward, and his lips. hissed hate as he returned: § “THE MAST By JOHN FLEMINC WILSON you Témember that woman In Valle Vista five yedrs ago—that woman you thought your little daughter too good to speak to? It was you who drove her out of camp, and now”—he smiled fatuitously—*she’s rich and in New York, and she hates you!” Gallon bowed his head. “What is it you want, Harry?" he whispered huskily. The other man pulled a paper out of his pocket and threw it on the ta- ble. “There’s a contract for you to Bign.” At this moment the door opened, and Ruth entered. She stared a mo- ment at the visitor and then looked anxiously at her father, who said: “This is an old partner of mine, Ruthy—Harry Wilkerson.” Ruth shyly looked at the tall strang- er and then shook bands with him. He held ber gentle fingers a second too long. Her face flushed, and she retired without a backward glance. Without paying any more attention to the old man, who bad now subsid- ed into a chair by the table, Wilker- son walked to the window and watch- ed the slim, girlish figure of the ‘young girl tripping down the hill. Then he swung on the old man harshly: “Well, I need a job. You need a new super- intendent, don’t you? I guess I'll take the place.” He stepped quickly to the window once more. This time he saw Ruth, with Tom Kane, the old cook, and an- other, in front of the cook house. “Come here, Tom. Who is that talk- ing to that girl of yours?” he said. Gallon got up heavily from his chair and walked over-to the window, and be could not repress an expression of relief. . “Oh, that's the mining engi- neer of *“The Master Key,” John Dorr!" With a quick swing Wilkerson was back, leaning over the table. He pick- ed up the paper. “Sign herel” he sald insolently. Gallon made a last faint protest: 1 can't do it Wilkerson picked up a pen, dipped it and put it In the old man’s band “Stgn!” Just as the last letter of that signa- ture, which had so long stood for re spectability, was blotted at the foot of the paper Ruth entered. " “Your father has just made me su- perintendent of this mine. I'm his old partner, you know!" Ruth looked at her father with con sternation *“Why —why —I thought { Jobn"— N Thomas Gallon looked up and wiped 1| his lips. “Yes,” he said dully, “I have | made my old—my old—partner superin- I tendent of ‘The Master Key. " : 1 “I expect we'll see a good deal of each other from now on.” Wilkerson | saia silkily. and with those slim, white fingers of his he reached out and pinch ed Ruth's cheek. Rutb did not draw back. She clinch ed her firm little hand and Wilkerson received a blow in’ the mouth that made him stagger back. At the moment that he received that 1 stinging blow he heard a movement to | one side of him, and, with the old in { stinctive fear of Thomas Gallon, he drew away back with his hand on the gun at his hip. He met the flaring eyes of the old man, who had risen from his seat, and understood that un- 1 til life left that decrepit.frame Its mas- tering passion—the passion which he could not hope to master—would be 1 love for the girl whom he had just in sulted He made n daring apology, the apolo- gy of the coward arnd the lar. *T beg your pardon, Ruth, but you used to sit on my knee when you were a little one.” She merely glanced at bim and went out of the bungalow. She did not see { ner father rise to his full height and “1 can’t do itl” straighten bis bent shoulders to say, ~1 killed you once for her sake, and, d—n you, I'll kill you again, old as I am!" % “Come on,” Wilkerson said roughly, ~don’t get excited. Now take me down and introduce me to the boys.” Dh Gallon sighed heavily as he obeyed and took him to where John Dorr was mow starting his day’s work. “John,” he said heavily, “this is Har- xy Wilkerson, the new superintendent of the mine. He used to be my part- qer. It won’t interfere with your work any.” He paused for breath. *“Infact, 1t will take a lot of extra details oft Four shoulders.” | John looked at Wilkerson. His heart iwas filled with bitterness, but he sim- ply said. “All right, Mr. Gallon,” and deft. “Well,” said Wilkerson, “I'll take charge right away.” He picked up u telegraph blank and sat down -at the desk with a new assurance. As if he bhad been dismissed by his superior, ‘Thomas Gallon stepped feebly away, ‘When hé was gone Wilkerson wiote rapidly: “Master Key Mine,” via Silent Valley, March 18, 19— _ Jean Darnell, Astor House, New York City, N. Y.: I have just been appointed superintend- ent of this mine; tell George; letter fol- lows. HARRY. He stared down at his own signature with a strange feeling that it was new —letters instead of figures! He winc- ed as he seemed to hear her say: “I'll never marry you until you are rich. Get the money and you shall have Jean Darpell.” 3 The new superintendent gritted his teeth, folded up the telegram and call- ed roughly to a ‘boy lounging outside on the porch: “Here, take this to the telegraph station, and be quick about it!” Then be addressed himself to an examina- tion of the reports and time sheets and various papers that explained the working of the mine. His soft, white fingers caressed recéipts that spoke of gold extracted from the earth, " CHAPTER VI. The Golden Key. [FTER he had left his former partner in the office Thomas ‘j Gallon slowly went up to the ) bungalow. There was a glim- mer of satisfaction in his dim eyes as be thought of the fact that the location of the real lode was unknown and that the plans that might reveal it were far beneath the waters of the Pacific. He went inside to the desk and picked out of the locker drawer the golden key which held his secret. He stared at it and read the num bers that marked the position of the lost vessel, and the chest that held the plans. Whom could he trust with this? He looked out of the window and called to John Dorr. “John!” he quavered. “I've already told you a little about my finding this mine and about my old partner.” Wilkerson 2" “Yes, Wilkerson; but there is anoth- er secret.. I lost the location of the mother lode in a wreck at sea. The chest slipped overboard; but find the wreck and somewhere near it is that old carved chest, and when you open the chest”— The old man suddenly staggered forward into Dorr’s arms. “I killed him once,” he muttered fee- bly, and then the silence which pres- ages the wordlessness of eternity over- came him.. John gently laid him down on the bed and called Ruth. “Father!" she called softly as she knelt by the bedside. Thomas Gallon stood on the great divide, but he turned back a moment to ‘gathéf* his strength. Then he mo- tioned with his gnarled hand for John. The young man stepped quietly for- ward and stooped over. “My will, John! I leave Ruth ‘The Master Key’ In my desk—bring it!” .. When the desired paper was brought he whispered: “Read it!” John Dorr opened the document and read ft aloud: “*¢e] leave all my property to my daughter, Ruth, to come into her fuil possession on her eighteenth birthday. 1 direct her never to let go of “The Master Key,' which will make my- little gir! bappy.” ® So ran the last words. The old man lifted himself still farther up and call- ed for'a pen and ink. Then, muster- ing his failing powers, he wrote in a firm hand the further words: I direct that my daughter keep Harry Wilkerson as superintendent until she is eighteen. I appoint as executor of this, my last will and testament, John Dorr. THOMAS GALLON. ‘The pen fell from his fingers, and he lifted his trembling hand to his throat: and tore at the string that held the: golden key. It broke, and he put the key in Ruth’s lap. “That is the secret,” he muttered. “John knows—and Wilkerson. Trust John” Again he opened his eyes and motioned toward the desk. *“The let- ter!” he croaked. Ruth’s quick intuition led her to the desk again, and she found in the same drawer that had held the will a sealed envelope addressed: John Dorr: To be opened on Ruth's elghteenth birthday. Sooner if her welfare is threat- ened. : Gallon turned his dimming eyes to Ruth, who took both his chilling hands in hers, “Child! ‘The Master Key' keep al- ways near you. Some day”—he choked —“it will bring you riches, happiness and love.” . . . . s s s When he first heard that Gallon was dead Wilkerson was appalled. He thought of the woman in New York and regained his courage. This was a |; [» They confronted each other for a mo- ¢ase where he must win by brute force. He must immediately show his author- ity. He who struck first would win, he thought; yet in the back of his con- sclousness was the realization that he } aid not know what disposition Gallon had made, of the property. ‘And where buy him Jean Darnell, with her velvet ways andl her dark eyes of topaz? Perhaps because for several years he had not. handled other men, but been himself a mere cog in a great machine, ‘Wilkerson mistook the spirlt of the miners. ' He did not understand that they had a‘profound respect for Thom- as Gallon, ? “I must’ get these people in hand,”” thought, Wilkerson, “and do it quick.” He spent. the afternoon in making a. schedute for a Sweeping reduction In ‘wages.’- Then Me sent: for Bill Tubbs. the engineer. /| When, bhe: had come. gross, liquor, sodden and half insolent. the superintendent laughed at him. *“Tubbs, what do you &know. -about: ‘this mine?” i “Well,” Tubbs answered. "thL ore: panned out pretty good for awhile, but: they lost the mother lode. There ain’t a carload worth a dollar come out of ‘here in three months, and that little: i 1y, “1 can put the screws on Dorr. : your office. i | sent for one, so you better pack.” |- ed dnto old Tom Kane. ing at all unless she takes the advice of some of us old timers and fires that young squirt of an engineer, John Dorr.” ‘Wilkerson leaned over and his face suddenly grew white in its intensity of expression. “I'm the superintendent of this mine., Now gol” Tubbs looked astonished at the tone, but obeyed. : Wilkerson smiled to himself. One man, and he one of the most impor- tant in the camp, was his absolute tool and slave. He took his pen and rap- idly wrote out an order: k “After this day all wages In this mine will be reduced 25 per cent.” He called one of the bookkeepers and curtly ordered him to post it on the wall of the office outside. A surprise awaited him, however, in the attitude of the miners. They paid no attention to the notice he had posted on the office wall, nor did they seem to recognize the presence of the new superintend- ent. He questioned Ed Mayer, the loading boss. “Miss, Ruth is running ‘The Master Key!"” Mayer replied. After the passing of Thomas Gallon things at the mine went very quietly for a few weeks. John Dorr hed ac- cepted the subordinate position un- der Wilkerson and was faithfull; de "aged to land two stinging blows on He Jerked Wilkerson to His Feet. voting himself in the intervals-of his duties to soothing Ruth’s grief. The girl had really been enormously, de- pendent upon her father. She was and you ‘make bim straighten mat- ters out with them.” He peered anxiously up into the young man’s face. “Yon won't desert her, will you, John?" With an inarticulate growl John swung out into the sunshine and el- bowed his way through the streaming throng of miners just coming off shift. Ahead of him he saw Wilkerson talk- ing to an old miner, who seemed to be arguing ‘earnestly. He saw the super- intendent and the miner re-enter the office, and a moment later Rng.h ap- peared. As John came to the office door be heard the sound of a scuffle within He kicked open the frail barrier and stood inside just in time to see Wilker- son draw a gun on the old miner. “Drop that gun, you dog!” he bellow- ed, and with one leap was at Wilker- son’s throat. ‘Wilkerson was no pigmy in strength and as agile as a panther. He man- John's eye before Dorr drove him up against the wall, laid his powerfnl hands on him and thrust bim to the floor in absolute helplessness. His fist was lifted to give the final finishing blow when he caught sight of Ruth’s white face. He jerked Wilkerson to his feet, flung him into the corner and strode sflently out. “John, Jokn! What is the matter?’ demanded Ruth. “That hound in there discharged me! 1 am going to leave tonight.” Her eycw slowly filled with tears. “You are not going to leave ‘The Mas- ter Key' mine, are you, John? And— and”— Before he could answer her appeal in words there was & wild roar down the street and the tramp of boot- ed feet. “Get the dynamite and blow the fel- low up!” bawled a couple of hoarse voices. “Get a rope and haag him to the hoist!” yelled another. Then a full chorus of angry cries rose into the evening air and filled the valley with HAT cold ir -- clogs the nasal passages. Makes them ‘hot-beds” for disease germs. It gives rise to a fever that is sure to weaken the system unless checked. It upsets the natural regular bowel action. Even ‘‘just a little cold” can - too often doss Qe- velop into Pneumonia, La- Grippe or Pleurizy. Cinol corrects all #kree of these cond tions. It is a handy vest-pocket size, 50c package that combincs a scientific treatment, for nasal congestion — corrective treat- ment for fever — and a splendid laxative. We know the Cinol formula. We have confidence in the maker and know you can depend upon Cinol. CityDrugStore o gt DRINK HOT TEA FOR A BAD COLD —_ ameamantrs — Get a small package of Hamburg Breast Tea, -or as the German folks call it, “Hamburger Brust Thee,” atany pharmacy. Take a tablespoonful of the tea, put a cup of boiling water upon it, pour through a sieve and drink a teacup full at any time during the day or before retiring. It is the most effective way to break a cold and cure grip, as it opens the pores of the skin, relieving congestion. ~Also loosens the bowels, thus driving a cold from the system. Try it the next time you suffer from a cold or the grip. It is inexpensive and entirely vegetable, therefore safe and harmless. RUB BACKACHE AND LUMBAGO RIGHT 0UT raucous sound. Quickly John drew Ruth aside in the shelter of one of the cottages and said hurriedly: “This must be stopped, Ruth. I'll get out there and stop them!” Ruth’s property was in peril. John's stentorian voice rang out across the throng: “Stop, men! Stop!" But he soon saw that the crowd was getting out of hand. He perceived three or four of the tunnel men racing down the hill to join in the fracas. One of them, he was sure, had been to the Rub Pain and Stiffness away with a small bottle of 0ld honest 8t. Jacobs 0il When your back is sore and lame or lumbago, sciatica or Theumatism has you stiffened up, don’t suffer! Get a 25 cent bottle of old, honest “St. Jacobs Oil” at any drug store, pour a little in your hand and rub it right into the pain or ache, and by the time you count fifty, the soreness and lame- Tess is gone. Don't stay crippled! This soothing, penetrating oil needs to be used only once. It takes the ache and pain right powder house, He gritted his teeth and made his ast appeal. only a child, but now in her solitari- ness she turned to John and old Tom Kane with impulsive trust and affec- tion. She tried hard to be brave, but the days were long and the nights long- er. The cook house bloomed with fresh roses every day, an excuse for her go- ing down to talk with old Tom, and in the evening, when the shadows fell across the gulch, John and she would water the flowers together, and he would tell her of his life in college and in New York. “T'd love to see New York!" she said a dozen times, and on each occasion John would smile at her and say, “You shall.” Neither of them realized that circum- stances would shortly take them both, though separately, to New York, for there was piling up in a secret drawer in Wilkerson's desk letters written in a4 woman’s script. Some of them In scented envelopes on embossed paper. Each one of them was signed “Jean Darnell.” When the seventh letter «came the superintendent reread it many times: Astor House, New York, May 15, 19—, ° Dear Harry—From what you say and erom what I learn from George, I thinh ! that I would be willing to put up the money to buy control of your “Master Key” mine, but you must be sure about this. I know that old Gallon made money out «of it. but I'm also sure that he was concealing something, as you think. Make | the mine worth while and—well, 1 remem- ‘ber my days in that camp—I'd like my re- venge. George Everett will handle the stock end of it very quietly when you say | the word. Don't let your ugly temper get | away from you and look out for Dorr. JEAN DARNELL. “Now,” theught Wilkerson exultant- rn " fire him.” At this moment the man he was | thinking so bitterly of appeared, and ;| Wilkerson, while his courage was still fresh, said insolently: “l see you are spending a good deal of time out of The mine can’t afford such extravagance. I guess we’ll have to have a new mining engineer. I've i For the moment John did not speak. ; ment; then Dorr turned on his heel : and walked off. As he did so he brush- “The miners won’t stand any more " of ‘Wilkerson, and they are going to i strike tonight, when the day shiff was that rich vein of gold that would [ - girl up on the bill won't have noth .1 will make W comes off,” Tom croaked. “Lots of them are packing their duds now to geteut. D—n him; he has ruined little Ruthde's property!” Johm looked out of the window and wealized that the various groups of miners, tired, sullen, as if waiting for something, made an ugly picture. “I'm afraid it's- up to them, Tom," he said, a little huskily. *1 have been discharged, and I am leaving myself tonight.”” 3 S He was perfectly amazed at the ef- ect of his words. Dropping the coffee pot with a crash on the top of the range, Tom ;Kane dashed out of the door and into the nearest group . of miners, gesticulating and laughing hys- terically. He said two words and then rushed back, his bright eyes gleaming fiercely. 3 “That gaves the mine for Ruthle, John,” he gasped. “The miners were Jjust going to quit quietlike.. Now they. ilkerson take you back “Ruth—Ruth Gallon!” he called. Doubtless none of the miners had no- ticed her presence, and when her slen- der figure emerged from a doorway, boldly yet modestly out toward the @an who was trylng to hold them In check, there was a dead silence. That sllence was portentous. In it was de- cided the fate of “The Master Key.” It was broken by wild and tumultu- ous cheers as John lifted Ruth on the box, and she held out her slender arms in girlish entreaty to the men she knew so well. Cowed, yet as ever alert to snatch at any opening, Wilkerson now came boldly on the scene. - Just as he had bluffed his way many a time before, he now made a play on which he knew his own safety depended. He mount- ed on the box beside Ruth. “Miss Gallon has asked me to restore the former rate of wages!” he shouted. “It has been done.” What meant that ominous silence? ‘What more must he say to those faces upturned to his? “And 1 bave reap- pointed John Dorr to run this mine,” he muttered, Possibly he hoped that those low, bourse tones would not carry far, but attentive ears caught them op and kmew their meaning. Old Tom Kane came through the crowd, thrust Wilkerson off the box without.ceremony and raised his crack- “Stop, men, stopl” ed voice in a yell that brought a per- fect thunder of cheers from the miners. ‘Without waiting to listen for more Wilkerson went away with as much bravado as he could muster to the office. On his way he picked up his gun. which John had flung through the win dow, and thrust it in the bosom of his shirt, with a meaning glance backward at John Dorr, who was now belping Ruth through the crowds toward the bungalow, followed by a yelling, tramping. laughing. bellowing column of men. Once inside the office Wilkerson went to bis desk and unlocked the drawer which beld that seventh letter. time" - he muttered meaningly: Bo e next Friday)” - - out of your back and ends the misery, It s mogical, yet absolutely harmless and doesn’t burn the skin. ’ Nothing " else stops lumbago, scidtica and lame back misery so promptly! TCHING ECZENA S RED REAT UPWITH SULPHUR Use like cold cream to subdue irritation and clear the skin, 3 Any breaking out or irritation on the face, arms, legs and body when accom- panied by itching, or when the skin is dry and feverish, can be readily over- come by applying a little bold-sulphur, says a noted dermatologist. He informs us that ioldmlphur in- stantly allays the angry itching and irritation_ and soothes and heals the zema. rig t up leaving the skin clear and smooth. Bold-sulphur has occupied a secure position for many years in the treaffment of cutaneous disorders be- cause of its parasite-destroying prop- erty. Nothing' has ever bec found b take its place in treating the irritable and inflammatory skin affections. While not always establishing a permanent cure it never fails to subdue the itching irri- tation-and drive the Eczema away and it is often years later before any erup- tion again appears. Those troubled should obtain from any druggist an ounce of bold-sulphur, which is applied to the affected parts in the same manner as an ordinary cold cream. Tt isn’t unpleasant and the prompt relief afforded, particularly in itcEing Eczema, proves very welcome., il T T0 DAEH o Common garden Sage and Suiphur makes streaked, faded or gray hair dark and glossy at once. Almost everyone knows that Sage Tea and Sulphur, properly compounded, brings back the natural color and lustre -to the hair when faded, streaked or gray; also’ ends dandruff, itching seslp and stops falling hair. Years'ago the only way to get this mixture was to make it at home, which is mussy and trouble- some. Nowadays we simply ask at any drug store for “Wyeth’s Sage and Sulphur Hair Remedy” You will get a largs bottle for about 50 cents. Everybody uses this old, famous recipe, Lceause no e can possibly tell that you darkened your hair, as it does it so naturally snd evenly., You dampen a sponge or soft brush with it and draw this through sour hair, taking one small time; by morning the gray h P pears, and after another appiication or two, your hair becomes beautifully dark, thick and glossy and you look years younger. —_— Ploneer want ads bring results.