La Grande evening observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1904-1959, January 11, 1915, Image 3

Historic Oregon Newspapers

La Grande evening observer., January 11, 1915, Image 3

Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR

About La Grande evening observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1904-1959 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 11, 1915)

Prev Page of 8 Next Prev Issue Next Text PDF JP2 (2.9 MB) Clip/Print Image

Return to Top

Prev Page of 8 Next Prev Issue Next

Newspaper Page TextHCWDAY, JANUARY 11, 1915 GRANDE EVENING 0t223Vfcll NTHEh;MASTER KEY $ I -& V vii V A Novelised Version of the film Manufacturing Company. - CHAPTER V. The Night RidaiC" 1HB light In the bungalow on 'the bill acrosa tbe valley winked as aoine one passed Deneatn It and the window. ' "I can see clearly enough," aald Wli aerson, "that there la a girl mixed . , p In this affair. . Tom Gallon never ' walked like that" He rode slowly down the steep bill' tOl be reached the pumping engine. Bill Tnbbs, the balky, sodden faced engineer, came to the doorway. IB tbia The Master Keyf de manded Wllkeraon. ; ; :' "It certainly ta," waa the response. "And old Tom Gallon runs It?" Wllkeraon palled ont a flaak, dlrtnlng Bill Tubba' ruling rice, and the en- . gmeer, after a long drink, wiped' hla nootn witn the back of hla oily band 1 8o yoo are looking for Tbomaa Oal- fen, are yon? ' Well, he owna tbla mine, ,b ire moatly ran by a young girl there In that bungalow on the bill. ' : Yon aee, Tom ain't up to what he need to be. The ore is getting worse every , day and the old man's aick up there in - bis bonae.' "." .- "I'm going op to aee blm now." aaid Wllkeraon. Be rode, on a few yards . and surveyed the anug houses, stamp . mill and all the apparatus of the grow-; mi mine and snarled: "So this Is what - he wanted for hlmaelf!" ::. ' The man he waa seeking lay prop-: ped up in bed.. To Bath he gave eT ry thing silks and down' and all the soft things of this life. Himself he . auil slept on a bard cot with a straw . pillow under his head that Is, be bad elept - It eeemed to him that aleep ' had forever fled, and be was now took- Ing tip into Ruth's face almost, plead ingly, trying to beep his grim old lips from asking sympathy. . There was i reason in his mind that be should ac . cept no tender ministration from the lovely girl who stood beside him. , His ' sacrifice mast be complete; so when his daughter bent over blm and asked him if he felt all right be mustered a smile, ;?.''''' 'V ;':';:,r:';v ';:zy' ;. , "There's nothing the matter with me, Both' he was aaylng, 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 lmpercep Cibty nodded his head in token that be would not tell. Not that he yet knew the secret of "The Master Key," bat be recognized 4he"fact that sooner or , later be was to know. . Buth stooped over and aald: ' ."Papa, I don't believe you do feel well. ' I'm going to make yon some thing bot to drink. I'll bring yon a toddy." ' And abe went into the kitch en and shut the door. When ahe was gone John nodded a pleasant "Good night," and also left. .. m Then old Tbomaa Gallon rose and went to his worn desk and got bis well thumbed diary. ;':. , ' ' - "1 am haunted." be wrote slowly, "al . .ways haunted. Am I to die without . knowing whether Wilkcrson la alive and that Buth la 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 be managed to control himself and went on writing: "Wllkeraon still alive by nightl When will be come out into the day? He shall, never have the key that would unlock the secret to my little girl's happiness. I will trust John." Fancy to yourself scenes that most have fled like swift Alms before the old man's eyes as be pat the diary away. The desert and Its mortal thirst; Wilkerson, ever drinking greed- ' lly of precious water; gold; murder; his escape with the plans, their loaa ' In the chest when the vessel went down In a caldron of flame: the image of bis dying wife; the picture of the babe he bad lifted from her chOl breast . Buth, for whom be bad suffered. He. bowed bis bead on bis folded arms. -8ucb Is the bitterness that the night brings upon those wbo are alone. When Buth came in with the steam ing glass of toddy sbe quietly set the glass down and went out on the porch to look at the Hgbt across tbe golcb Which marked John Dorr's window. Ft By JOHN FLEMING WlLSQfl 7 " jfa v ,X ,( V Vn CQPYRIGUT. 1M. BY JOHN FLEMING Motion Picture Drama oitfee tame Illustrated With Photographs from Touth wae calling to youth. - ; It waa no apparition hat Gallon bad seen at the window tbla time. It waa really Wilkerson, wbo, after one satis Bed glance, rode swiftly away. . It waa midnight when be rapped at the door of the Valle Vista railroad station and called, tbe sleepy agent "I want to get a telegram through right away," be said brusquely. "There Is an extra, dollar In your pocket if yon can rash It" A , The slender boy who represented the Rocky Mountain Sontbprn railroad si lently led tbe way. In. turned up the wick of the lamp and sboved blanks and pencil across tbe counter.. . "Ton look half asleep to me." Wilker son growled as be picked up the pen- . Tbe boy scanned tbe stranger quiet-, ly and opened tbe drawer of hla tel egraph '.desk and faced bis visitor again. Wilkerson caught the glint of the steel barrel of a revolver In that drawer...'" You must have some money In tbe safe," be snarled. The .boy looked at blm 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 Wllkerson's eyes that fell. 'i'hJx ft.:r',;vV ,$'?!:- He grasped 'the pencil and wrote on the yellow blank: ""v V ' Vail Vista, Cal. March 17. fn DarnsU. Aator Hons. New York Have found Gallon at last. . Addrtas Master Key" mlna tomorrow. ? -Y:i. .. i: '.;;. WTLKKRSON. . He shoved the paper across to the operator and said roughly: "Now, earn that extra dollar r He banged two sil ver coins on tbe counter. ' ' "'' The. operator scanned tbe message. took another look at bis customer and shoved one of' tbe coins back. : , The charge to New Tbrf S fL" hi aald mildly. "'- !''. Wllkeraon scowled. rWell, rush that anywayr He strode out of the little office and mounted his borse. : The wenry 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, wbo since the beginning of the camp had been tbe open handed out close mouthed cook, sounded bis .triangle. Immediately poured out from tbe quarters of the unmarried men . a stream of miners. As he bad 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 ially. . '-. ' ' s:? "It waa a lucky day when John Dorr came," he muttered to himself Then bis eye caught the figure of a horse man riding leisurely down the street apparently careless of tbe scowls from the men against whom he brushed roughly. ' ' " -."?,' .-. .: - The old man rubbed hla eyea feebly and looked again. - Tea, it was true. He could never mistake that figure or that saturnine visage. God! Why had hla bullet not gone through that face! He reached for his gun with somewhat of the vigor of youth; he waa safe now. One shot out .of tbat window and that figure tbat had haunted him for years would tumble and fall and forever dia appear from his life. He could do it He put the gun down quietly and dropped bis chin on his breast He re alised tbat bis years of struggle bsd broken down the indomitable spirit of his youth and his pride. He waa nn old man; be could not keep Wilkerson from coming back. - s -. Harry . Wilkerson saw that face at the window, and bis smile hardened. He thought be would take Gallon by surprise possibly, but before be rapped on the redwood door Gallon bad bad time to clutch the- key-'The Master Key" , to the riches in San Jacinto mine-and hurriedly thrust it into a drawer In tbe desk and abut it from sight , As tbe door swung open the two men looked t another. Then tbe younger 4afcJ WILSON Name Produced by the Universal the Picture Production. "Still Partners in The Master Key." man salf nftly. "Pardneri'T "Partner!" said Gallon,' as If Incred ulous. . He called to hla aid all his frail physical strength to face tbe final cav taatrophe. :- o v;1,;.:.- .; '.. .., '. . 'SOU partners;" said WDkerson, atep- partners in The Master Keyr " i I Involuntarily Gallon clutched at hla throat, Where that golden key hung so long. Could be Uve to fight tbla thing through? The agony in bis cbest was unbearable. r "What do you want?" heasked hoarsely. - i Wilkerson flung, his, riding quirt on the table and- pulled off bis gantlets. "Well," be drawled, "partner,. 1 guess there are several, things I want" He Died bis dark, eyes on tbe old man "And there's, one thing I'm going to have, and that's . my share of Tbe Master Key.' " . ' "Tour abate 7" parried Gallon. "My .share!" said Wilkerson, realis ing tbat be controlled the situation. "I have returned for my Just duel 1 "Nov, listen, partner, I am going to stand no nonsense." ,- "What have you been doing all these years" tbe old . man ; asked dully. "Why baven'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 tbnt yon made a strike, tbe find you made when we were partners. How did you get back here?" -.;,"'' ,. .-..' Gallon looked at hla enemy with the simplicity of an old man telling a proved . truth. "Tbey were all my friends," he said. "Friends?" said Wilkerson In a sud denly changed voice, and. thrusting bla contorted face close to Gallon's. "I don't care about your friends, but yon bettor care about tbe enemy you made.".-''' ''I'-.v..? : .! ' For one Instant the mine owner's faee grew stern and pitiless. But be beard a step on tbe outside porch, and his face softened. - "My God. Harry; I did it for tbe pint". , , . , -,sv ' The evil soul of Wilkerson flared be bind thoH irold eyes of bis, and for the first time In his life be told tbe truth or his inmost heart, "And I must have my Htmre of 'The Master Key' to liny -h woman.' - 1 : '.' '" "Whm wdiniin?'-. :. Wllltprsmi icnned torwiird. and hl fin h!pi1 hnfe a ho 'plInm1 "Do you re'membvr tirni wouihd m Vaire Vlstu live yeiirn itpu dint woman you IIioiikIu your little diiiisshter too good to Kpnik to'.- I 'war yu who drove Uer titil iri .,iiif, iiu.l ij.v"-ii smiled fntulloiiMl,v-:."Mliii ' I'hli mxl Iu New Vork. mid ii Iihu-k yn'.'' ' Gllilllll .lNWHl III" lll'llll. . ., . " "What I.- u you v:tiit, Harry?" be jvhlsiHTi'il huskily. , Thepttii-r tun ti puller) a paper out of his iiocki'l and threw It on the ta - "There's a contract for you to ''Y - life ) ; - k Jn." ' i ""f At tbla I'moment the ; door opened, and Bath entered." She1 stared a mo ment at the visitor and then looked nxjously at her father, who said; ' '' This to. aa eld partner of mine, Buthf-Harry WUkaraoo,", . , , Ruth ahyly looked at tbe Ull strang er and tben shook hands with him He held her gentle fingers a second too long. ' Her face flushed, and aba retired without a backward glance. Without paying any more attention Oio od man, wbo bad now subsid ed Jnto a JhAlT .by the fable, WJ! son walked to tin window Mil watch ed the slim, girlish figure of tbe yonpj girl tripping down ioa hill. Then he swung on the old man harshly: "Well, I need a Job. . fou need a new super intendent, don't you? t guess I'll take tbe place." .- . -i . : . He stepped quickly to the' window once more. This time be saw Both, with Tom Kane, the old cook, and an - ! other, in frout of tbe cook bouse. "Come hero, Tom. Who la tbat talk- ing to that girl otyourar' he mlUL " uaiion got up heavily from hla chair and walked over to thewlndow, and be could not renresa an expression of relief; "Oh.: thafa the mlniua;''eta1 - i neor of The Master Key John Doltr' With a oulck awlna Wllknn Waa back, leaning over the table. He pick ed up tbe paper.. "Sign here!" be aald Insolently. . . , - , i, ; fie.lfnra marfa L laaai aln May.ea HI can't do ltr " ' Wilkerson picked up a pen. dipped It ana put it In the old man'a hand. "Signr' 1 1 Just aa the last letter of that algna ture, wblcb had so long stood for re spectability, waa blotted at tbe foot of the paper Buth entered. - --. ! . "Tour father baa juit made me su perintendent of this mine. I'm bla old -partner, you know!" -' Buth looked at ber father with con sternation. "Why wby I thought Jobn"- Thomu Gallon looked op and wiped his lips. "Tea." be said dully. "I nave made my old my old partner superin tendent of The Master Kev.' " . "I expect we'll see a good deal of eacb other from now; on', Wilkerson aaid ellklly, and with those slim, white fingers of hut be reached ont and pinch ed Buth'a cheek. y,-!tf -an iv:a' Buth did not draw back. , Sbe clinch ed her firm little hand and Wllkeraon received ' a ; blow, in the , moutb tbat made him stagger back. V , ; - At tbe moment tbat he received that stinging blow he beard a movement to one aide of blm. and. with tbe bid in stinctive fear of Thomas Gallon, be drew away back with hla band on the gun at bis hip. He met the flaring eyea of the old. man, who had risen from bla seat, and understood that un til life left that decrepit frame Its mas tering passion the passion which he could not hope to . master would t be love for the girl whom he bad jusf in suited. ,'" "'' W'i!S,l": ''. He made a daring apology, tbe apolo gy of tbe coward and the liar. "I beg your pardon, Both, but you used to sit on my knee . when you were a little One."..:-'- :..!;-;;'' :''. :"... Sbe merely glanced at blm and went ont of the bungalow, i She did not her father rise to his full height and 4 -y dv "I can't do it I" straighten bis bent shoulders to say. I killed you once for ber sake, and. d n you, I'll kill you again, old aa I ami" u: : . v," "Oome on," Wilkerson said roughly. "don't get excited. NOw take me down and introduce me to tbe boys." ; Gallon sighed heavily aa be obeyed and took blm to where John Dorr waa now starting bis day'a work, -' v 'John," he said beavlly, "tbla la Har ry Wllkeraon, tbe new superintendent of the mine. He used to be my part ner. It won't Interfere with yonr work aay." He paused for breath. 'In fact, it will take a lot of extra details off your shoulders." " Jobn looked at Wilkerson. His heart was filled with bitterness, bat he sim ply aald, "All .right Mr. Gallon." and left. ' ': ' ,.f. Welt," said Wilkerson, . "Til take charge right away." He picked up a telegraph blank and sat down at the desk with a new assurance. As if be had ' been dismissed by his superior, Tbomaa Gallon stepped feebly away. WhenTe was gone WHtenW wroS rapidly: '?,-.;,:;; Kaater Key Mine." vU SUeat Valley. March 11 !-. Jean Darnell, Aator House, New Torts CttyfN. T.i I bave Just been anDnlnted auoertntend at of this mine; tell Oeorse: letter fol lows. HARRY. He stared down at hla own aianature with a atraaga feo!!ny that.Mwaa new-' JAM Atteni. InsSad ui airureat .8 wlnwT M aa be eeemed to bear bar aay: "HT tssrrer aaarry uoUl .you are rleav Get tbe money and you abail have Jaaa Darnell." , Tbe new superintendent gritted bis teeth, folded up tbe telegram and eaU ed reagbly fe boy lounging oatslds Oh tbe porch; ' "Her,-take this to' the telegraph. smnoB, ana pe qaKk about ltr Then he addressed himself to an examina tion of tbe reports and time sheets and various papers tbat explained the working of. the mine. Hla soft, white Angers caressed receipts tbat spoke of gold extracted from tbe earth. CHAPTER VI. ' The Golden Key. IrTEft ht had left his former partner ut the office Thomas .Gallon slowly went up to tbe Bungalow, There was a glim- .' merot satisfaction In hla dim eyes a De thought of tbe fact that the location ot'tne real, lode was unknown and the plops that , might reveai . lt wo '' i" tne wamrs or tne wuw Be ,!0t inHldeito the desk Md picked out of the locker drawer ',,0'T,wn'l,"a hto ecrt ! " .7" " 'r a"a a u mm Tf .we pusiiwa oi coe lost vessel; and tbe chest tbat held tbe plana. Whom could he trust with this? He looked out of the window and called to John Dorr. . . " '. "John!! ho quavered. 1 "I've already told you a little about my finding tbla mine and about my old partner." "Wilkerson?" '.. ' ', "Tea, Wllkeraon: but there la anoth er secret . I lost tbe location of tbe mother lode in a wreck at sea. The cheat slipped overboard; but find the wreck and somewhere near It ta that old carved chest and when you open tbe chest- The old man auddenly staggered forward into Dorr's anna. ., "I killed him once," be muttered fee bly, and then the alienee wblcb pros agea the wordlessness of eternity over came him." Jobn gently laid blm down on tbe bed and called Buth. "Father!" she called softly aa she knelt by tbe bedside. Thomas Gallon stood on the great divide, ' but be turned back a morucni to gather bla strength. Then be mo tioned with bis gnarled hand for John The young man stepped quietly for ward and stooped ever. "My will. Johnl 1 leave Itntb The Master Key In my desk-bring ltr When the desired paper was brought he whispered: .,- "Bead It!" - . ; John Dorr opened tbe document and read tt aloud; ' ' - , ,. " I ... leave all my property to , my daughter, Ruth, to come Into her fun posaeaalon on her- eighteenth birthday: I direct her never to let go of The Mnatoi Key which wll( make my little gin bappy,' ji, . ,. . So ran tbe last wonts. The old uinn lifted,; himself still farther up unit call ed for a nen nhd hilt.' , TIimii miwrBr 1ng hla falllrfu K)u ei s, liu wrote in a firm hand the further woidx I dlreot thai my daugliter keep Harry WOkerson as auperlmrnilant until aha I" tghteen. I appoint aa exodutor of this, my last will and testament. John Dorr. THOMAS UALUXS The pen fell from bis fingers, and be lifted his trembling band to bis throat and tore at tbe string that held the golden key. It, broke, and be put tbe key in Butb's lap;- "That is the secret," be muttered. "John knows and . Wilkerson. Trust John." Again be opeued bis eyes and motioned toward tbe desk. ''The let ter t" he croaked. Butb's quick Intuition led ber to tbe desk again, and sbe found In tbe name drawer that had held the will a aealed envelope addressed: 4; : ,;v. Jdhn fjprr: 1 t ' To be opened on Ruth's eighteenth birthday. Sooner It her welfare is threat ened, t ' -i'-j- :. vi : ::': Gallon turned his dimming eyes to Ruth, wbo took bath his chilling bands "Chlldf 'The Master Key' keep al ways neur you. Sotno day' bo choked "it will bring you riches, happiness and love." ' 1 , When be first beard tbat Gallon waa dead Wilkerson was appalled. ; He thought of the ' woman In New : Vork and regained bla courage. This waa a case where he must win by brute force. He must ltninoiUMely show his author My, He wliuABtiuck Brut would win, be thought: yet In the buck of bis con aclousness was thu realization that; he did not know what disposition Gallon had made of the property. And where waa that rich vein, of gold that wonld buy blm Jean Darnell, with ber velvet ways and ber dark eyes of topnz? ' Perhaps because for several years be bod not bandied other men, but been himself a mere cog in a great machine, Wilkerson mistook the spirit of tbe miners. He did not underatnnd that tbey bad a profound respect for Thorn as Gallon.: ;-"'''.;.- . i tI must get these people In hand." thought Wilkerson, "and do It quick."; He spent tbe afternoon In making a schedule for a sweeping reduction In wages. Then he sunt for BUI Tubba, the engineer. When be had come. gross, liquor sodden nod bnif Insolent tbe superintendent laughed at blm. Tubbs, what do you know about, this mine?" - "Well." Tubbs answered, "the ore panned out pretty gotid for awhile, but they lost tbe mother lode. There ain't carload worth a dollar enme out of here In three months, and. tbnt little girl up on the bill won't have aotb ffig at an nnTesH she takes the advice ef some of us old tlaiers and fires tbat young squirt of - tin engineer, Jobn Dorr." Wilkerson leaned over and hla face' suddenly grew white in Its intensity of expression. "I'T ttrarrrrlmc' - ifow.gor , , Tubba l i 4 a " adat tmtebeyeJ. " wxs3i'rr" l r : mn, and he c e tf i h tt ' u t tltT Be tod la i. a ay wrote out an order: -Anar pi day all wages .rti mint srui sw reanced SS per cant" ; He called one of the beokkeeDara at r curtly ordered bus to poet tt est C a wan or we once outside. A aurprtoa awaited mm. however, in the amtnA. or tne? njitii'ni, ' They ild no atteaftne) to Uie notice be bud posted on the eJ wan, nor am toey seem to recognise the presence of tbe new superintend L'nt, He qmvtloned Bd Mayer, tlii ",Mls Itiuli b running Tbe Maetrr Keyy .Mayer replied Aflur itu pniwluff of Thomas Gallon things at Ue mine went vary quietly for a few, week. John Dorr bad or cepted - the subordinate, position on der Wilkerson and waa faithfully uV He Jerked Wilkerson to His Fee.1 voting blmxulf hi the tntervala of bb duties to soothing; Ruth's grief. Th- girl bad .really been enormously de penaent upon her rather.' (sbe was only a child, but now In, her aolltart as ahe turned to John and old Tom Kane wltli Impulsive . trust and hOWI tlon. she trletl hard ti be linivo, bui tbe days were long utid tbe nigbiM Inna er. The cook bomte bloomed with fn-nli roses every day, an ext-imt' for her ko Ing down to talk nltb old Tom. 'and In the orenlng. when thtt-alindowa fell across the guleh, John and she wonlt' water- the ; flower .'together. ; and In would tell her nt hlM life in i-ulleci' an In New Vork . - ri d love l ow Yurk!". aim kiiu a doxvti . tltiii'x, iintl- iu eni'b iHtraaliii- loUn wonlll Ktiille at licr mill unv. 'Vhi shall." ' t Neither of tlieui i-eiillztd tlmt clivuiu stance n-nuld slinrtly take l Item both thmiKb seiimiitelj,' to .New Vnili. fot tliere w.-is plllim In a KetTet drtiwe' tn.;.WItkcniuV:dek letters written Hi tt womiin'b Hi-ri)t Smue of tuem Id scented envelopes on omboased paper tiaco one or tnen ras signed "Jean Darnell.' when the seventh letter came the : superintendent reread It many times; '- i ji -Aator House. New fork, May U. 19-. Dear Harry From what you aav and from what I learn from Georse. I think that I would be willing to put UP th rrtoney to buy control of your "Maetei Key" mine, but you must be sore about this, 'I know that old Gallon made manes out of it but I'm also sure tbat be wo conoeallng something, as you think. Make the mine worth while and-well, I remem ber my days In that camp rd like, my re venue. George Everett will handle tht stock end of It very quietly when you sr the word. Don't let your ugly teamer set sway from you and lookout for Dorr v JEAM DARNELL. , f "Now." thought Wilbcrson exultant ly, 1 can put the screws on Dorr. I'll Are him." At this moment the man be 'wai thinking so bitterly of appeared, am Wilkerson, ; while hla courage was stll fresh, said Insolently: "1 see you an spending a good deal of time out oi your , office Tbe mine can't afforc auch extravagance. : I guess we'll bavt to bave a new mining engineer. - t'vi sent for one. so you bettor pack." - For the moment Jobn did not apeak They confronted each other for a mo ment; then Dorr turned on his bee. and walked off. As be did so he brush ed Into old Tom Kane. ; - ; . "The miners won't stand any mor of Wilkerson, and they are going b atrlke tonight when the, day ablfi comes off," Tom croaked. "Lots oi them' are packing their duds now ti get out D n bun; he has ruined lltth Butble'a propertyr' - Jobn looked out of tbe window anc realized that tbe various groups ot miners,- tired, sullen, as If waiting foi something, made an ugly picture. . "fm afraid It's op to them, Tom. he said, a little huskily. "1 bave been discharged, and . 1 am leaving myseli tonight" ;..v,;;1 -;.y,'v He was perfectly araased at tbe ef feet of bis words. Dropping the coffee pot with a crash on tbe top of tht range, Tom Kane dashed out of the door and Into the nearest group ot miners, gesticulating and laughing hys tertcslly. He said two words and then! rushed bnck, his bright eyes glee mint fiercely. ' ' '''y "That saves the mine for Buthle. John." be gasped. ' "The miners were Just going to quit quletllke. - Now they will make Wilkerson take you back. if-" : awl aa fare C)