Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 79, Decatur, Adams County, 2 April 1915 — Page 3

mF the master key. |H CHAPTER XVH. HB The Forged Deeds. the train pulled Into T.o. I^BA/ 1 Angeles the next moruiugj L- ■ d John Dorr's party got oiy, mid John left Ruth with I Ijni Kmie while lie went to eu/m-i . i automobile to take them to Beverly | Ills, n suburb recommended by Ever-1 t as quiet mid restorative for shut-i red nerves. As they stood there Wilkerson, Mrs.; trr.ell mid Estelle also got oil' tin i du, still disguised, mid were hurry g awny when Wilkerson" observed nth ami railed Jean’s attention to for an Instant she was nonplused, len she said in a low tone: “So much e better. We can keep an eye out i them." I must find out where they are go g to,’’ Wilkerson returned. “I don’t :e the looks of it." He soon came back with word that ey had ordered the car to take them Beverly Hills. After some Inquiry Wilkerson found e address of a hotel that seemed to Hwer their requirements, and they ■re soon on their way thither in a Maxi. Within mi hour ihe d Ilsmlh Mad installed herself and her mistress Mi a comfortable suit. Wilkerson took K room ncm by. Then came the ques Mien of their disguise-. ■ “'fherte is no need of wearing then, Liy longer,”’, Wilkerson staled, ••ft Meed be we can put them on again.” B Mrs. Darnell laughed s ■ornfnlly. ■‘Yes, and all the hotel people saw us tome in with our disguises on. What ■will they think if they see entirely ■different people occupying these fcooms?” I Wilkerson had already started to re■move his makeup. Now lie paused. ■But his reckless nature got the better "7 I ' |j|; W A » A- X i L*£3BiS I- '-y She Smiled Maliciously. “Forgery!”

of him, and he laughed at her fears, So they both were soon their reaj selves and sal down to a hearty break fast in Mrs. Darnell’s rooms. This ended, Jean took out the papers and spent an hour going over them carefully. Wilkerson smoked nervous ly, but did not interrupt her. When she laid the documents down he saw a queer glitter in liar tawny eyes. “So it has come to the old game, eh?” she said in a low voice. “1 thought you had had enough of that.” “Enough of what?” he demanded quickly. She smiled maliciously. She formed the word slowly and precisely: “Forgery!” His dark face grew pallid, and his eyes flashed ominously. "I did i! for you that time—and no thanks! But this is all right. Those deeds are genuine.” “They merely assure the property to Thomas Gallon and his heirs and assigns. When you found Tom Gallon at last and had him ready to do any thing you wanted just as the price of your silence I suppose it didn't occur to you to have him deed over the ‘Master Key’ mine to you, did it ?” "He wouldn’t have done it!” he burst out furiously. "He shot me on '■ 1; • would have shot me again to save the mine for the girl.” “Then what good are these papeis? Gradually he perceived the drift of hi-r speech. He looked at her for a moment dumbly, as if for in tructmn. But she was ruthless. He must pro pose the crime himself. She handed him the papers. lie stared at them and then glanced across at Jean. She was waitin':. He cursed her under his breath. She had always J>j>en waiting—waiting for hi n to break the law. to stiffer that sh 1 might have comforts and jewels and keep unimpaired that beauty that had been his downfall. But the spell work pd, as it had worked before. “I’ll have to go out ami buy some blank deeds.” lie said laboriously. “I may have to look up some other points, too, about these paper:-.” As he left the room Jean Darnell looked after him. lazy triumph in her eyes. _ "Estelle.” she said languidly, “you may dress my hair. I shall go to a matinee this afternoon. If Mr. M ilkerson comes, tell him I am engaged till tonight.” Life nt Beverly Hills was a welcome change to Ruth after the strenuous days that had passed since she left , the “Master Key” mine. There were not many at the hotel and the most prominent figure among tile guests was a tail, carefully dress- , led Englishman, so typically the tourist ; [that the old cook insisted on identify - [lng him on the register. "1 ain’t seen many of the new kinds i [of people.” he explained. “I ve been [cut in the mine so many years that the | styles in real gents has kind of escaped me. 1 admire to know just what kind i of birds I'm roosting with.' “Who is he?” laughed Ruth, as they j gazed out at the rising hills. "He’s marked down as Sir Donald ; Favershani. and he’s from the Brit- [ Ish isles.” Tom Kane rejoined. "He , is here for his health, they say. 1 sup- , pose that's why he has to wear them White ankle warmers on his legs.” I r ..

“Those art? called spats, Tom." said I John, smiling. ••That eyeglass is a I monocle." ; "Does he see through It?" inquired i Katie. with apparent anxiety. "I reck ; find he was near sighted, for I spoke I Io him a while ago and he didn’t even ' see me.’\ tiddly enough, Huth blushed nt this. ! Sir Donald had seen her, and she had i been made aware of it Instantly; not . Hint Sir Donald had been in the sllght- | e<t offensive. He had merely silently ! testified by respectful glances his uppreelation of the arrival of a very pretty woman. John Dorr saw the blush and interpreted it rightly. He, too, had obaerved the Englishman's sudden interest in the lovely "girl. Eor the first time he felt a sharp twinge of jealousy. Ho had so long been alone in liuths regard that he had not analyzed his own feelings toward her. He determined that Sir Donald Faversham should not impose his company on them. The very next morning, when Huth and John came out from the hotel ready for a stroll. Fnversham lay in wait for the old cook ami asked him for a mateb for his cigarette. Tom reached Into his waistcoat pocket and pulle.l out a bunch of block matches, which he handed out with an air of doing a service to some one he could not see. Sir Donald looked at the queer matches.' not knowing the peculiarities of the western sulphur article. :irfd in spite of himself Kane had to instruct him to pull off one of the matches and strike it. When Sir Donald choked and sputtered over an Inhalation of brimstone Tom looked profoundly concerned. “Tbey’rc a leetle strong for some people,” be remarked pityingly. “Strong!" answered Faversbam, wiping his eyes. "I should jolly well say they were!” Their conversation had attracted Huth’s attention, and she and John both looked back. John smiled faintly. but Ruth was indignant. “Tom did that on purpose,” she said. "I’m ashamed of him.” How it happened only Sir Donald could have told, but within throe minutes he was exchanging remarks about the scenery with them all. “And there’s an awfully jolly bit just over the other way." he said to Ruth. The ice was broken, and Ruth promptly accepted the implied invitation to see this specially lovely scene and Sir Donald led the way, talking with her. After an instant’s hesitation John and Kane followed. The acquaintance thus made was destined to have a great bearing on the lives of both Ruth and John. It

had ripened into a genuine liking on Ruth’s part before the dance that night was over. The next morning John and Tom met Ruth walking with Sir Donald about the hotel grounds, and the young man could uot help showing in both voice and manner that he was little pleased that Ruth should have so suddenly taken up with a stranger. "Remember, she’s only a girl," Tom warned him, feeling bis mood. “She’s been brought up in the mountains, and she’s as friendly as a pup. 1 don’t like the way the man puts petticoats on his feet and I’m used to being looked at with two eyes, but Ruth is all right. You must remember that young as she is. and inexperienced, she has a good lot of common sense." "I suppose it’s foolish of me,” John answered. "Rut I’m used to activity, and this dawdling about doesn’t suit me and that makes me generally cross am! unreasonably. If I only knew what Wilkerson was doing! If Everett would only come!” ’Die wish was fulfilled that afternoon ■.. * 11 Ge i ;e Everett turned up and was warmly greeted by both Kane and Dorr. After a few words he asked for Ruth. “You can see that she’s all right. John answered quietly, pointing to her as she came up the steps with Sir Donald. Both were in tennis garb, and Ruth was delightfully flushed. Sir Donald made a few pleasant remarks and then excused-himself. His quick senses told him that Everett had CYne on business and that he would co one too many. ciou’t know that I have anything , w and startling to tell yon," Everett told Ruth in answer to her question. "I know a dozen places where I can raise the money to finance your mine, but we must have the deeds, papers ,:rd surveys first. And they’re gone. I understand.” "Yes." Dorr replied bitterly, “I suppc:... Wilkerson has them. I ought to have been on his trail long ago. Everett glanced at Ruth and saw the discouragement on her face. He went quickly on: "However, I’ve made temporary arrangements which will relieve you of all trouble for the present. Miss Gallon. I’ll talk over the business details with John and Tom Kane.” She brightened and laid one hand affectionately on John's arm. “I knew everything would come out all right when John toojr hold,” she said softly. For two days' Harry Wilkerson work- [ ed steadily and secretly in his room. At last his task was done. “No one can ever prove that old Toni Gallon didn’t drftw that deed himself. I Wilkerson said trliimiihnntly. “And. it i makes me the owner of the ’Master . Key’ mine. Jean. And, once in charge. : I’Jl make us both worth millions! Then”— She shrank back at the flame in his ! gaze upon her. “Now, what are you going to do ? she demanded, attempting to bring the I conversation back into business chanI nets. He hit his nails savagely. “Drake is ! out, al! right,” he told her. “You see. ! Kane didn’t turn up to prosecute the 1 case, and they turned him loose. What ’ do you say to my wiring him to go and

I take charge of the mine while wo de- | tide just what to dot He can see I what’s going on and warn us." “Dorr and the rest are still at Beverly Hills?" she inquired. "Sure!” he said scornfully. “They’re tieiiig up with some blooded Britisher they think has money. They figure on getting him to finance them. I reckon. And 1 happen to know that Sir Donald couldn’t finance anybody. We needn't worry about Dorr.” Mu. Darnell remained in thoughtful sllenie awhile and then agreed to the suggestion. Wilkerson immediately wrote the message: Charles Drake, San Francisco, Cal.: Go to Mllent Valley at once and take charge ot "Master Key” mine until you hear further from me. Am wiring Tubbs, engineer, to this effect. HARRY WILKERSON. When he had sent this and a message to Tubbs he resumed his gloating contemplation of his forged deeds. He did not see the look of burning scorn on Jean’s face us she left the room. “Why must 1 always have to use fools?" she murmured bitterly. "A lovely pair Wilkerson and Drake!” Drake did not hesitate when be received Wilkerson's telegram. He took the next train for Silent. Valley and on arrival there procured a rig and drove to the mine. On liis arrival lie was dismayed to ”■ that no work w.-w being done. The machinery was idle, and the miners were loafing about the streets or gathered in ill.tie sullen groups. They eyed him curiously, but when he asked for Tubbs they made no comment nor ask ed any questions. Following their directions, he soon found himself on the porch of what had been John Dorr's bouse. He knocked, and there was shuffling of heavy boots; then the door opened, and an unshaved, bloated faced man asked him gruffly what lie wanted. Drake produced Wilkerson’s wire, and instantly the engineer showed relief. "Come in! Come In!” he said. "Come in and have a drink!" Tile interior of the cabin showed that Bill TublrfTiad apparently been merely camping Cut in his new quarters with out regard’to the decencies. But Drake was not squeamish after his long trip and shared a drink with his host. A few words served to put the situation before him. “There ain’t no money to pay the men; the store's closed; the cook shanty ain’t running; Wilkerson is away; Dorr hasn't turned up with the money be promised, and I’m just kind of sitting on the lid while the pot boils. I'm mighty glad to see you. Maybe you can do something with those fellows. I’ve done my best, and 1 can’t do any more." The words wjare hardly out of his mouth before there was the noise of boots on the porch, and Tubbs smiled in sickly fashion. "I guess they spotted you right off.' lie said. “What do they want?" demanded Drake as there came a pounding on Hie door. Two miners entered,, and Tubbs introduced them to Drake. "This is the new boss, boys.” he said. “Who sent you here?” was the first question asked. v "Wilkerson.’’ responded Drake. “Humph!” "I'm just here to take charge temporarily," Drake went on hastily, not liking the ugly tone of the man’s voice. The other man tdok this information ami after digesting it said, "Going to start up and pay wages?” “I'm not acquainted with the situation yet,” was the evasive reply. “Fl! go over things with Mr. Tubbs tonight, and then in the morning I’ll see what is to be done.” “The first thing is to give ns money and food.” was the curt answer. The men stamped out, leaving Drake to look at Tubbs in some dismay. Tlie engineer was so relieved at having some one else to bear the burden of responsibility that lie refused to lie worried. “Have another drink, partner." lie said familiarly, “and forget it till tomorrow." After a very poor meal which Tubbs s raped up the two sat down dud smoked. Tubbs’ tongue gradually loosened under tlie influence of many more drinks, and before 10 o’clock brought up a waning moon Drake knew a great deal that made Mm uncomfortable.. He resolved to shift the burden to Wilkerson’s shoulders as quickly as possible. The next morning did not bring cheer. His head ached from the fumes of Bill Tubbs’ whisky, and the chill of t'ne mountain air was not dissipated by a cold breakfast. And before tlie sun had risen above the peak of the mountain tlie miners had approached him with questions. CHAPTER XVIII. The Battle In the Mine. an hour or so Drake equiv- ! ! oe£ ited and tried to postpone action. But it was made plain to him that he could not avoid action. Tlie starving men were in no humor for words. They demanded food and wages. At last he saw that he must do something immediately. He called some of the leaders iyto the office and with apparent frankness told them he had known nothing of tlie situation and that he felt sure Wilkerson was unaware of it. “What are yon going to do?" came the demand. "This," replied Drake, writing rapidly. He showed them the message: < Harry Wilkerson. Los Angeles, Cal.: Come to mine at once. Trouble is brewlag. DRAKE. j "Will that bring him?” demanded me of them coldly. “It will. Now who will take it and , 8 -id it.?” »

Two men . 'l’om Kane’s burro- m .< ...ake the trip. "And while you're iu tHieut Valley.” Drake said, yielding to a sudden Inspiration, “take this S2O and get some grub for the camp.” “There's still some locked up in the cook house." said another. “It’s old Tom Kane's lookout, so we didn’t exactly feel lil.. taking It." Drtike turned to Tubbs quickly, "Distribute the food as far as it will go," he sa !d. Tubbs looked suddenly serious. “1 guess you better leave that to me," lie said In a low voice. “I know where it will do Hie most good." He winked slyly. *«••••• Meantime John Dorr, Everett and Tom Kane were spending long hours in discussing what was to be done to save the "Master Key” to Huth. Tom once more went over tlie exact situation at tlie mine and asserted that unless prompt measures were taken not only would there be actual distress, but likely rioting. "You know some of the worst ones hung with Wilkerson,” lie said grimly, "and they might at any time take it into their heads to do a little dynamiting. Dynamiting is mighty dan gerous stuff around several thousand dollars’ worth of machinery, and if they blew up the workings there wouldn’t lie any mine left, you see.” “I see," said Everett at last. “Not having the papers, I can’t put this deal through tlie way 1 want to eventually. But something must be done on the spot." • “in the way of money?" added Kan • harshly. “Precisely,” Everett assented with all cheerfulness. “Now I'm going to loan John Dorr here $5,000 today for tlie 'Master Key’ mine. Then”— John shook his head. “That isn’t business-like,” he protested. Everett fixed his keen eyes on him. "Any reason why I shouldn't loan money to Miss Ruth Gallon s manager and guardian? Any reason why you. looking after her Interests, should refuse help in fixing up her affairs?" Dorr flushed. “I didn’t menu it that way. It seeuis ns if I kind of messed tilings up myself, and I—l thought I might get ’em set right by myself." "You called on uie, and I'm the doctor,” said Everett authoritatively. He pulled out his wallet and commenced counting out bills. “I came prepared for this, for I thought there might be an emergency.” “But who will take charge of it? Who will go to the mine?” The broker laughed at him. “Not you. You'd be in a fight in three min utes, specially if Wilkerson turned up. Tom Kane is our man” lie turned on the old man abruptly. “Will you take this money mid go?” The old cook stared at the crisp bills and then at Dorr. “I ain’t handled paper worth that much lately." he remarked. "But if you want me to go in there and feed them people and get -'em back to work and keep tilings going till John can fix tilings up here I'll goOn liis way to the mine Harry Wilkerson's courage, newly fired by a last conversation with Jean Darnell, commenced to ebb. Drake and Tubbs received him with unaffected relief. A few words suf ficed to make Hie status of affairs plain. Tubbs looked at his superior with strained anxiety in his bleared eyes. Dull and sodden with liquor as lie was, he understood perfectly that everything depended on the next few days. The engineer had lived in mining camps and on the desert all Ills life, mid lie knew the passions engendered by the arid mountains and tlie - • 7 < \ -A ■* f V .rfFte/.- : . ■ '' . ; > “I guess that’ll fix ’em!" remorseless desert. What would Wilkerson do? Was he strong enough to handle these men who were ready for anything, even to bloodshed if aroused? Wilkerson had lost liis sense of fear oddly enough. As he had come into the camp a dozen miners hud recognized him and scowled. He had felt their hatred, and it fed fat the man’s sinister passion to do harm, to hurt, to destroy. Now he faced Drake mid Tubbs arrogantly. "It won’t lie long till these chaps find out who’s the boss," he said. With a significant look at Drake lie pulled out tlie forged deeds and handed them to Tubbs. “Those mean that I'm legally the owner of tlie 'Master Key’ mine," he announced. The engineer peered at them dully. He haltingly mumbled over some of the legal phrases at the beginning, saw tlie names Thomas Gallon and Harry Wilkerson prominently displayed. He was impressed. He did not understand the purport of the papers. He did understand that Wilkerson was smiling with tlie insolence of triumph achieved. He grinned slowly and passed the papers back. “I guess that’ll fix 'em!" he said huskily. "I guess it will." was the rejoinder. Tnbbs seemed thoughtful, glancing out of tlie window now and again. Drake voiced his feeling.

"The sooner you let the miners know mid get things settled tlie better." Wilkerson licked ids dry lips. Tlie brittle was on. lie broke tlie alterne by saying gruffly, "Cull 'em up here, Bill!’ Nothing loath, Tubbs went out «n Hie porch, mid his hoarse tones resounded through the little valley. Instantly men appeared from doorways, came from a dozen places In respond to that call. Ami women, clutching their children, peered ou> to see what was In the nir. When the men were gathered before Mm Wilkerson stepped forward and commenced to speak. lie could u.it break their sullen silence, and, after n few words of generalities, lie mustered Ids courage and shouted: "1 mu the owner of this mine! I have tlie deeds right here!" Tlie effect of this was far oilier than lie had expected. Not a murmur came from tlie still, motionless throng. It was as if they had not heard him. In a lower tone he repeated it, "I am the , v.nor of Hie ‘Master Key' mine and all that goes with it!” He held up the papers, and Bill Tubbs looked at them mid gravely nodded li!s head, as much as to say tliat lie had inspected them and could vouch for their authenticity. Still no sound from the miners. There is a quality in the silence of tlie crowd of earnest men that is more questioning than any word could be. The men who had worked and toiled for old Tom Gallon, who had been deceived and baffled, who had had their loyalty tested to the utmost, now demanded through their imperious silence that Wilkerson open up his mind to them. If he was indeed the owner of the “Master Key," what did he in tend to do? “You'd better say some more quickly," warned Drake in a low tone. And Wilkerson, completely bewildered, set the match to the powder. He stepped forward with as ugly a look as lie could assume and cried, “Now tell me what you want?" Instantly tlie air was filled with roars of rage and disappointment. Fifteen minutes later Harry Wilkerson was sweating within the cabin. With a shaking hand he poured himself out a tumbler of Tubbs’ whisky. He had promised the miners’ back pay, steady work, full wages and food. He must make good, and he did not know how. “Tubbs," he said sharply, “you must find out what men we can trust. Say nothing, but get all tlie information you can. I’ll make it worth the while of the men who'll stick by me.” Again the engineer chuckled fatuously. "They'll all stick by ye,” he said sagely, “s’long as ye pay ’em like you said ye would.” It was late in the afternoon when Tom Kane appeared on the mail wagon. The driver had already informed him of how affairs were going, and the cook wasted no time. He climbed down from the high seat, jerked his battered case out of the wagon and made straight for his shanty. Within five minutes he had divested himself of his black clothes and donned h's official overalls and apron. Then he appeared on rhe porch ns calm and unconcerned as though he had not been away. In no time at all a couple of dozen miners had gathered to shake hands and swap news. Naturally their biggest item was Wilkerson’s proclamation of ownership. At this Tom Kane laughed scornfully. He derided the papers, ridiculed the miners for being fools easily taken in and stated in set terms that tie. Tom Kane, actually held the place of authority'. Tins soon came to Wilkerson's ears, and he hurried down the hill to stop what he knew to be a dangerous secession. Instantly the old cook lockecT horns with him, poohpoohed him to liis face, called him names of peculiar virulence and offered to fight him on any terms. Before long the camp was in an uproar. and it was due to certain cooler heads that trouble did not ensue immediately. These men insisted that there was time to settle the dispute of ownership, forced Wilkerson to with draw his command that Kane leave the mine instantly and managed to bring a semblance of peace out of disorder. Kane bowed liis neck to the yoke of their authority, but dispatched a trusty messenger to the station with a telegram to John to come as soon as possible. Wilkerson resorted to a scene which was eventually to threaten the very existence of the “Master Key.” He sent Drake south to confer with a desperado whom he knew, who could gather a band of Mexicans like himself on short notice, ready for anything that promised loot. "Tell Jose to be here tomorrow night.” he instructed him. “I'll want about twenty men well armed." Drake rode away as from destruction, cursing the luck that had put him in the power of such a man. In response to Kane’s message John Dorr, Ruth Gallon and Everett left Beverly Hills for Silent Valley. They arrived the third day after the cook, and from the moment they were recognized the miners dropped their attitude of sulky waiting and thronged about their mistress, cheering and shaking hands. When they had got into the big house Kane arrived, apron and all. to report on the situation. “It's come to a showdown,” he remarked. "Wilkerson has several of Hie worthless fellows here and a lot of half breeds back in the hills. He l:nov> s I have that money of yours, and he’s promised it to the Mexicans if they help him. You see, Wilkerson will keep his skirts clear that way. He can say that it was a raid by bandits.’’ "How soon does ail this happen?” $ awled John.

Kime '.danced nt him curiously. He undersiu id that warning not to fright I , en Ruth and wem on airily, "Oh. 1 , reckon just as soon ns Wilkerson gets Tubbs weaned from that bottle of his." But when Ruth had gone to her own t rooms the cook wasted no words hi .smoothing things over. “You’ve got to act mid act quick," he told John and Everett. “It ain't ’ tlie time for fooling. Tonight may do the business, for those Mexicans are i impatient. Remember that Wilkerson lias tile l eys to the powder house, and he Ims nil kinds of chance to lay ills . traps.” "I don't think lie expected us so soon.” John remarked. "A good cook always lias grub for people tliat drop in unexpected like." was the grim rwponse. "Just take a * peek down there now.” Through the window John saw tliat 1 the camp was quietly lint surely dividing into two parties. Tlie eider miners were gathered about Hie cook 1 shanty. Around tlie office stood a dozen or so malcontents half drunk, tinder tlie leadership of Tnbbs, who

I—— — , i n . 1 l / F << : ... ■- tJ. teuWWl The Old Cook Offered to Fight Him on Any Terms. i was wholly drunk, and on the porch ' talking to Wilkerson were a couple of .Mexicans. “It looks as if they meant to rush tlie camp,” Dorr said thoughtfully. He i proceeded to arm himself, and Everett ■ quietly followed suit. “I'm going to talk to the boys first,” said Dorr. He left the bungalow and I strode off down the bill, followed by i the cook. A gun was tired up by the mine tunnel mouth. i "That's a signal that the Mexicans ■ are making trouble!" Kane shouted. I “Look out for dynamite iu the shaft, I John!" I Without a word further Dorr leaped 1 down from the porch of the cook slian--1 ty and started up the hill, followed by 1 a dozen faithful supporters. Other shots were fired. Wilkerson appeared 1 at Hie tunnel mouth and then vanished, ' inside. John sprang upon the trestle and rushed after him. Instantly a band of Mexicans materialized halfway down the hill, fired a few shots and retreated. John paid no attention to them, but kept on. Once within the tunnel he saw a faint gleam of light ahead of him. He understood that Kane was right. Wilkerson was playing a desperate game in blowing up the shaft and then in the ensuing confusion allowing tlie bandits to loot undisturbed. A few yards farther on John stopped. A dark figure rushed by him toward tlie open air. But the little glow of light ri maiiied. For a moment Dorr hesitated: then he leaped forward and began trying to extinguish a lighted fuse. He had almost succeeded when a bullet whizzed by him; then a second spattered on the rock overhead. He turned and fired blindly in the direction of the shots and resumed his task. The fuse was short, but be succeeded in extinguishing it and started back. , He met a fusillade of bullets. He dashed on toward the month of the tunnel and suddenly emerged on Wilkerson. who, not being able to see into the murk of the shaft, was firing blind ly into the opening. With a shout John leaped for the man whom he now knew to be seeking his life. Before Wilkerson could fire another shot he was caught in a mighty embrace and then began a short sharp struggle high in the air. John Dorr for the first time in liis life knew the absolute ami terrific ihirst for killing that sometimes conies to a man. It was either his life or Wilkerson’s. And no one should in-, terfere with liis revenge. He threw himself on the man witli but one object in view—to slay him bare handed. Wilkerson fought tigerishly, and for the moment had the advantage. The lofty trestle was an ill place for a heavy man like Dorr to fight on, and tlie other's agility and litho quickness •eemed about to win when John by a sudden unexpected find desperate maneuver caught him and threw him clear into the air,-"breaking his clutch with a terrific blow. Then lie jerked him to the edge of the trestle and flung him over. Standing erect. John drew the air into his tortured lungs and let out n tremendous yell of triumph. Ruth Gallon heard that barbaric yell and shuddered. Tom Kane stared upward at the figure on the trestle, mid his open mouth seemed lipless, for he. too. shared in the moment's blood lust. And on the rocks below Wilkerson's figure sprawled grotesquely, its white and darkling face turned sightlessly to the sky. (Continued next week)

vi A /W c 11 •niuJv* I MOTHERS “Clothe Your Boy In The Clothes That Last” We want you to buy one jof our Xtragood Suits for your Boy because they are designed and made from the standpoint of extraordinary /rear : i ' tear requirements ’s"7 n, every thread ?.r.d ev y peice of cloth is put o J her to withstand the 7-rt wear given them by i on r Eoys. We think so well of these Boys Clothes that we guarantee them to give satisfaction and we will replace with a new suit wherever they fail to do so. Buy your Boys Suit this week. Buy it here. Large assortment of models and patterns to choose from-Xtragood Suits $5.00 to $8.50. Other Good Suits $2.00 to $4.00. HOLTHOUSE, SCHULTE and Company Good Clothes Sellers For Men & Boys All Sterling Mazda Lamps reduced in price. The Lawrence Electric Co. 78t3 STUCCO WORKER and CONTRACTOR George Baumgartner. Ready to meet any call with samples and information. Phone 220. Berne, Ind. Ttie METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE CO. For High Class Insurance and LOWEST RATES Annual Dividends on all Contracts. J. M. KELLY, Agent. DO YOU KNOW That your House can be Wired with scarcely any dirt? No, you wont have to move out when we are doing the job. Madam, Telephone us and we will wire for you. No charge for estimates. Lawrence Electric Company J. C. RODGERS CHAS. K. CUTLIP Rogers &. Cutlip Real Esstate Co. We have a full line of farms for sale from $40.00 to $60.00 per acre. Railroad Station EAST ORWELL, OHIO Postoffice. COLEBROOK,OHIO Write Us For Descriptive Lift