Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1911-12-26
CHAPTER xxlII.-(Continued.)

Keith's eyes lifted to her face. his
ears quick TO detect the undertone
in her voice.
Interesting? yes, for | was seeking
after information, and met with some
success. AS to the other question. |
am not sure whether | admire the lady
or not. She is bright pretty, and
compcronable, and in spite OF her
profession. at heart, | believe, a good
woman. But really. Miss Hope, | was
too deeply immersed in my purpose
to give her personality much consld-
Grafton. Among other things We spoke
OF you"
"Of me- Why?"
Il told her something OF our ad-
ventures together; of how both Haw-
ley and had been confused She was
anxious to learn who you were. but
unfortunately, | have never, even yet
heard your name"
You have not?"
No; | left you at Fort Larned be-
Iieving you Christie Maclaire-sup-
posing it your stage name. OF course
and was confirmed in this belief by
finding I'm the holster OF the saddle
you had been riding an envelope bear
ing that address"
IL remember; 1t contained the note
the man brought to me from Hawley;
ne mad written II that way. she
crossed the room, sinking down into a
chair facing him And you have
actually confused me with Christie
Maclaire all this while? Have never
known who | was?'
He shook his head.
Il told you to call me Hope; that is
my name am Hope Waite"
"Waitei" he leaned forward star
tied by the possibility 'not-not-"
Yes" she burst in. holding out her
hands. clasping the locket. and this
was my fathers: where did you get
it,"
He took the trinket from her. turn
ing it over in his fingers. Little by lit.
tie the threads of mystery were be
ing unrave!ed. yet. even now. he could
not see very far, He looked up from
the Iocket into her questioning face.
Did not tell you? No. then II
was an oversight This was about the
throat of one Of the men | buried al
Cimmaron Crossing. but-but. Hope
it was not your father"
Il know" her voice choking slight
ly. Mrs. Murphy found that out;
that is why am here heard my
father came TO Sheridan and wanted
you to help me find him"
He was thinking and did not answer
at once. and she went on in some
alarm.
DO you know anything about him
Captain Keith? Where is he? WHY
is he here? Don't be afraid to tel
me-"
He pressed the locket back into her
hand. retaining the latter unresisted
within his own.
i have not seen your father. Hope
but he was certainly here a few davs
ago, for Fairbain met him. They were
together in the army, am going &c
tell yon all know-it seems to be 8
tangled web, but the ends must be
somewhere, although. I confess. | an
all at sea-
He told IL slowly and simply. bring
ing forth his earlier suspicion. and
how he had stumbled upon facts an
parently confirming them. lie related
her fathers robbery. his loss of vain
able papers. and the conversation be
tween Hawley and Scott which led &c
the suspicion that these same pa
pers ha6 fallen into tho hands
of, the former. and were the
basis of his plot Hope listened
breathless with Interest her widely
opened eyes filled with wonder. As
he concluded speaking she burst
forth:
But | don't understand In the least
Captain Keith. Why did this mar
Hawley send me TO the. Salt Fork"
He thought he was dealing with
Christie Maclaire. He had some rea
son for getting her away; getting her
where he could exercise influence over
her"
'Yes-yeS: but who is she>"
That is what makes the matter Sc
hard to unravel She doesn't ever
know herself. Hawley is geias Il
take advantage of her ignorance In
this respect, and convince her thai
she is the person he wishes her tc
represent-but who is the persons II
we knew that we might block the
game