Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1911-11-02

explains that she came there In search of
brother who had deserted from tie
come to the cabin while ne sought to To-
cate her brother. Hawley appears and
Keith in hiding recognizes him as Black
Bart HAwiey tries to make love to the
girl There lisa terrific batsle#in the
darkened room in which Keith oyercomes
Black Bart Horses are appropriated ana
Joins in the e,cape. Keith explains his
situation and the fugitives make for Fort
Larned. where lhe girl is left with the
is the daughter OF General Waite. keith
and Neb drift into Sheridan. where Keith
meets an old friend. Dr. Fairbain.
cHAPTER XVII contlnued.)
..You say there was no trace"
Nothing to travel on after forty.
eight hours-a posse started out next
morning. soon as they fouad him
when they got back they reported hav
ing run the fellows as far as Gin,
maron Crossing-there they got across
and escaped"
Who led the posse?"
"A man called Black. I think" b )
said
BLACK Rartg'
Yes, that's the name: so, ! reckon
you didn't bury Willis Waite this time,
Captain You wouldn't have thought
he was a dead one II you had heard
him swear while he was telling the
story-it did him proud; never heard
him do better since the second day at
Gettysburg-had his ear shot off
then. and | had to fix him up-Lord,
but he called me few things"
Keith sat silent, fully convinced
now that the doctor was telling the
truth. yet more puzzled than ever
over the peculiar situation in which
he found himself involved.
What brought the General up
here?' he questioned. finally.
~ haven't much idea. was the
reply. 4 don't think i asked him d.
rectly. wasn't much Interested.
There was hint dropped. however.
now you speak about it, He's keen after
those papers. and doesn't feel salts.
6ed regarding the report OF the posse.
It's my opinion he's trailing after
Black Bart
The dinipg-room vas thinning out.
and they we're about the only ones left
at the tables. Keith stretched him
self, looking around
well. Doctor. am very glad to
have met you again. and to learn
Waite Is actually alive. This is a
rather queer affair. but will have 10
work itself out. Anyway. am too
dead tired tonight to hunt after clues
in midst OF this babel. I've been IN
the saddle most OF the time for a
week. and have got to find bed {
Il reckon you won't discover such
a thing here" dryly. Got seven in a
room upstairs. and others corded
along the hail Better share my cell
only thing to do
That would be asking too much
] can turn In at the corral with -Neb:
I've slept in worse places.
Couldn't think OF 1t, Keith" and
the doctor got up Besides, you
sleep at night. don't you?"
Usually. yes" the other admitted.
Then you won't bother me any
no doctor sleeps at night In Sheridan:
that's our harvest time. Come on.
and III show you the way. When
morning comes LII rout you out and
take my turn.
Keith had enjoyed considerable ex-
perience in frontier hoteis..hut moth,
. ing before had ever quite equalled this.
the pride Of Sheridan The product
Of mushroom town. which merely ex-
lcRn Nv ~ hn knv Vrxa3H-
way terminus. 1t had been hastily and
fiinsily constructed. so It could be
transported elsewhere at moment
notice. Every creak Of a bed echoed
from wall to wall. The thin parti-
lions often failed to reach the ceiling
by q foot or two. and the slightest
noise aroused the entire floor And
there was noise OF every conceivable
: kind. In plenty. from the blaFe of a
band at the Pioneer Dance Hall oppo-
Site, to the energetic cursing OF the
cook In the rear A discordant din
of voices surged up from the street
below-laughter. shouts. the shrieks OF
women. o rattle of dice. an occasional
pistol shot. and the continuous yell
ing OF Industrious .'barkers' There
was no safety anywhere, An exploding
revolver Id No. A was quite likely tc
disturb the peaceful slumbeFs OF the
innocent occupant Of No 16 and every
! sound OF quarrel In the thronged bar
room below caused the ledger to cur
up IN momentary expectation OF
stray bullet coursing toward him
~. q - 70, tTslaa4