The Chanute times., 1911-12-01
CHAPTER Ix.-(continued.)

II have been a perfect BRUTE" he ac-
knowledge frankly with no thought
master, and ask your forgiveness,
Miss Maclaire."
Her eyes smiled
Il am SO very glad to have any one
here-any one-in whom | feel even
a little confidence-that nothing else
greatly matters. Can you both eat.
and listen?"
Keith nodded, his eyes full of inter-
est, searching her face.
whoever | may be, Mr.. Keith, and
really that seems only of small i'm
porrance, 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 was fortunate
enough to form an acquaintance with
4 man who told me he knew where I
could meet Fred, but that the boy was
hiding because Of some trouble he
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 a 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. 1t has been very lonesome. and
land I've been a little frightened
Perhaps ought not to have come. and
I am not certain what kind Of place
this is. | 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
full that he was present to aid her. II
could not wrong one Of the South"
my father always told me could
trust Southern gentleman under any
circumstances. Mr.. Hawley was from
my own State, and knew many of our
old friends. That was why felt such
unusual confidence In him, although
he was but a travelling acquaintance"
."Mr Hawley?"
"The gentleman whom | met on the
stage"
"Oh, yes; you said he was in busi.
ness In Carson City, but don't seem
to remember any one of that name"
HE was not there permanently;
only to complete some business deal"
"And your brother? | may possibly
have known him"
She hesitated an instant, her eyes
the long lashes.
"He-he was rather a wild boy, and
ran away from home to enlist in the
army. But he got into bad set. and
land deserted. That was part of the
trouble which caused him to hide. He
enlisted under the name Of Fred VIII
soughby. Mr.. Hawley told me this
much. but am afraid he did not tell
me allN
"And he said you would meet him
here?"
Keith gazed about the bare sur.
roundings wonderingly. What was
this place, hidden away in the midst
of the desert. isolated In spot where
not even Indians roamed. Could It be
a secret rendezvous of crime, the
headquarters Of desperadoes. of cat
tile rustlers, of the highwaymen of the
Sante Fe Trail-a point to which they
could ride when hard pressed. GER
tain Of hiding here in safety? He be-
gan to suspect this. but. II so. who
then was this Hawley. and with what
object had he sent this girl here?
livery way he turned was to confront
mystery. to face a new puzzle. What
ever she might be-even the music
hall singer he believed-she had been
inveigled here innocently enough.
YES" she replied. he said that this
was one of the stations Of big ranch
on which Fred was employed. and that
he would certainly be here within
day or two"
you met Hawley on the stage
coach8 How did you become acquaint-
ed?"
I'VE were alone for nearly fifty
miles, her voice faltering slightly.
~and-and he called me what you did"
Christie Maclairer"
"fes; he--he seemed to think he
knew me. and I needed help so much
that let him believe go. thought
It could DO no harm. and then, when
! found be actually knew Fred. I didn't