The Mena weekly star., 1911-07-20

room trifie, and slip silently out of sight. He remembered staring vaguely about the little room. still illumined by the flames. only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his des. perate struggle with the clements overcame all resolution, and he drop. ped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness. Her hand upon his shoulder aroused him, startled in. to wakefulness. yet he scarcely real ized the situation.
 T have placed food for the negro beside him." she said quietly, and for the first time Keith detected the soft blur in her speech.
 You are from the Southi" he ex. claimed. as though 1t was discovery.
 "Yes--and your"
 My boyhood began in Virginia the. negro was an old.time slave in our family"
 She glanced across at the black, how sitting up and eating voraciously.
 T thought he had once been 6 slave: one can easily tell that I did mot ask him to sit here because, if you do not object, we will eat here together. have also been almost as long without food. It was so lone ly here. and-snd hardly understood my situation-aRd simply could net force myself to eat"
 He distinguished her words clearly enough. although she spoke low, as 1T she preferred what was said between them should not reach the ears of the negro, yet somehow. for the moment they made no adequate impression ct him. Like famished wolf he begas on the coarse fare, and for ten min utes hardly lifted his head. Then nls eyes chanced to meet hers across the narrow table, and instantly the gem tleman reawoke to life.
 T have been perfect brute he ac' knowledge frankly, with no thought except for myself Hunger was my master, and I ask your forgiveness, Miss Maclaire."
 Her eyes smiled.
 T am so very glad to have any one here-any one--in whom l feel even a little conference.-the nothing else greatly matters. Can you both eat, and listen 2"
 Keith nodded, his eyes full of inter est. searching her face.
 Whoever I may be. Mir. Keith. and really that seems only of small i'm portance, came to Fort Larned seek ing some trace of my only brother, whom we last heard from there, where he had fallen into evil companionship On the stage trip l was fortunate enough to form an acquaintance with a man who told me he knew where could meet Fred, but that the boy was hiding because of some trouble ne had lately gotten into. and that should have to proceed very carefully so as not to lead the officers to dis cover his whereabouts. This gentle man was engaged in some business at Carson City, but he employed man to bring me to this place, and prom ised to get Fred, and meet me here the following day. There must have been some failure In the plans, for have been here entirely alone now for three days. It has been very lonesome, and --and I've been a little frightened. Perhaps ought not to have come, and am not certain what kind of place this is. I was so afraid when you came, but am not afraid now.
 You have no need to be-" he said soberly, impressed by the innocent candor of the girl. and feeling thank ful that he was present to aid her. T could Rot wrong one of the South
 My father always told me could trust Southern gentleman under any circumstances. MT. Hawley was from my own State, and knew many of our old friends. That was why felt such unusual confidence fin him, although he was but travelling acquaintance.
 MT. Hawley7'
 The gentleman whom met on the stage"
 "Oh. yes: you said he was Tn busi- ness in Carson City. but don't seem to remember any one of that name.
 He was uot ners permanently l