Semi-weekly herald., 1911-06-26

IT'S my very last trfD . tbs town.
she said decisivslv. her red nps
pressed tightly tesstAsr.
Miss Aaclairs had indeed amps
reason to feel asgrievsA over her re-
oertion. She had written to have the
best apartment IN the house reserved
for her. and then. merely because she
had later hesn invitsd out TO -
Hays, and was consequently q Aax -
hind in arrival, had discovered that
another woman-s base inposts~, set
ually masqusradtAG uAdsr her nAaS-
hsd been duly installed in the coveted
apartment. Driving In from the tort
thst morning. accompanied BY tive Of
the more susceptible junior oflosss.
conscious that she had performed
most artistic work the evening before
In the spacious mess-hall. and feeling
conhdent Of comfortable quarters
awaiting her, It had been something Of
shock to be informed by the per
turbed clerk that rs" was already
occupied by another. "A lady what
come in last night. and l naturally
supposed 1t was you"
In vain Miss Msolaire protested.
ably backed by the worshipful oficsv
who still gallantiy attended her; the
management was obdurate. Thea she
would go up herself. and throw the
hussy out Indeed. too angry for
bantering further words. Christie had
actually started for the stairs, intend
Ing to execute her threat, when the
perspiring Tommy succeeded in stop
| ping her by plainly blurting out the
exact truth.
Don't you ever do IT," he insisted.
The marshal brought her in here,
and fired a fellow out o. the room SO
az TO give It to her He'd clean out
this house II We ran In cold deck on
friend O. his"
What do l care for what your
marshal does?"
But he's Bill Hickook, Miss, wild
| Bill'"
Miss Msclaire leaned back against
the stair-rail, her eyes turning from
| Tommy to her speeehless supporters.
Slowly the truth seemed to penetrate
her brain.
oh" she gasped at last "Then-
then what else can you give mey"
The officers had long since depart
ed, promising, however, to remain
over in town and hear her again that
night at the TrocRdero, with hints as
to late supper; she had received a
call from the manager of that most
popular resort. and had rendered his
life miserable by numerous demands:
had passed half an hour prscuoinE
with the leader of the orchestra; but
now was at last alone, tired, decided
ly irritable, and still tempted to In
wade "15." and give that other woman
piece of her mind Then some one
raped on the door There WAS q de-
cided accent OF vexation in the voice
which bade the one outside enter. but
the lady's mood changed swiftly as
her brown eyes perceived standing In
the doorway the erect form of Keith.
the light from the window revealing
clearly his strong face. The man
stood hat in hand, bowing slightly, un-
able to comprehend why he should
have been sent for, yet marvslling
again at the remarkable resemblance
between this woman and that other
whom he had left at Fort Larned. As
Miss Msclaire stood with back toward
the window, she presented the same
youthful appearance. the same slsn-
derness OF figure, the same contour Of
face.
Miss Christie Maclsire?" he asked.
as though in doubt.
Yes" graciously. won instantly by
the mans appearance and manner.
you wished to see met VIII you be
seated2"
Hc crossed the narrow room to the
stiffbscksd chair indicated, and the
lady sank negligently down into her
own, resting her head against a pill
low, and regarding him expeotantly.
He could view her now much more
distinctly. observing the slight differ
ence in age, the fuller lips. tho darker
shade Of the hair, and tho varied sx-
preston of the eyes. 1t was a. II a
different soul had looked forth from
the same face. He had never before
realized how little. apparently trihing,
details marked the human oounten-
ance. and. embarrassed BY her own
scrutiny, his glance swept about the
room. Misunderstanding this shifting
of eyes. Miss Chsistie sought TO place
the man more at ease.
The room is a perfect fright" she
observed briskly. but what can enc
expect in these mushroom towns.
Really had never been hero before,
or I shouldn't have oons. They pay
good money though for talent, and
we all have to live, you know. Are
are you in professional worki"
He shook his head, smiling. some
what psrpisIed at his reception
Really I didn't suppose you wsrs.-
she went on, you don't look It. But
there are SO many who ooms 70 me
to help them that | have grown sus-
pioious of every stranger. May ask
why you desired to see msY'
Another suspicion had taken pos
session OF her mind. for the msn Of
that section were never backward In
exhibiting admiration. yet somehow
this man did not seem exactly Of that
kind.
81 came merely because was seat
for. Miss Maclairs," he replied, his
gray eyes once again upon her face.
Doctor Fairbain gave me your mes