The Ely miner., 1911-09-22
CHAPTER x.-(contInued.)


came this way?"
Not very likely; fact Of It is, the
sand storm yesterday destroyed all
traces, and, as a result, we've lost
him. SO headed few of the boys
over In this direction, as wanted %
relieve you of anxiety"
She was silent an instant. and the
man crossed to the fireplace, where
Keith could gain a glimpse of him.
Already suspicious from the familiar
sound Of his voice, he was not sur
prised to recognize BLACK Bart" The
plainsman's fingers gripped the negro's
arm, his eyes burning. So this gambler
and blackleg was the gentlemanly Mr..
Hawley, was he; well, what could be
his little game? Why had he inveigled
the girl into this lonely spot? And
what did he now propose doing with
her? AS he crouched there, peering
through that convenient crack In the
door. Keith completely forgot his own
peril, intent only upon this new dis
covery. She came slowly around the
end of the table, and stood leaning
against 1t, her face clearly revealed
In the light of the lamp. For the first
time Keith really perceived its beauty.
its fresh charm. Could such as she
be singer and dancer in a frontier con-
cert hall? And If 80, what strange
conditions ever drove her into that
sort of life?
Isis Fred with your she ques-
toned, donbtfully.
mo; he's with another party riding
farther west" the mans eyes survey
ing her with manifest approval "You
are certainly looking fine tonight, my
girl. It's difficult to understand how
I ever managed to keep away from
you SO long,"
She flushed to the hair, her lips
trembling at the open boldness Of his
tone.
IL prefer you would not speak
like that" she protested.
"And why not?" with q light laugh.
Come. Christie. such nne airs are a
trifie out of place. II didn't know
you were concert hall artist, might
be more deeply impressed. As 1t is,
reckon you've heard love words be-
fore now."
"Mr. Hawley, have trusted you az
q gentleman. / never came here ex-
cept on your promise to bring me to
my brother" and she stood erect be-
fore him. You have no right to even
assume that / am Christie Maclaire." I"
Sure not; don't assume. have
seen that lady too often to be mis-
taken. Don't try on that sort of thing
with mel don't take to 1t kindly.
Perhaps kiss might put you in bet
ter humor."
He took step forward. as though
proposing to carry out his threat, but
the girl stopped him, her eyes burn
ing with Indignation.
How dare you'll" she exclaimed pas
sionately, all fear leaving her in sud-
den resentment. you think me alone
here and helpless; that you can insult
me at your pleasure. Don't go too
far. Mr.. Hawley. I know what you
are now, and 1t makes no difference
what you may think of me, or call me;
you'll find me perfectly able to defend
myself"
"Oh, indeed!" sneeringly, you are
melodramatic; you should have been
an actress instead of singer. But
you waste your talent out here on me.
Do you imagine l fear either you, or
your precious brother? Why. could
have him hung tomorrow"
She was staring at him with wide
open eyes, her face white.
"What-what do you mean? What
has Fred done?"
He was cold and sarcastic.
That makes no difference: It is
what l could induce men to swear
he had done. It's easy enough to
convict in this country, II you only
know how. simply ten you this, so
you won't press me too hard. Puri-
tanism is out of place west of the Mis-
souri,. especially among ladies Of your
profession. oh, come, now. Christie.
don't try to put such airs on with me-.
! know who you are, all right, and
can guess why you are hunting after
Fred Willoughby. pumped the boy,
and got most of the truth out OF him. !"
"You-you have seen him, then,
since you left me-" she faltered. be-
wildered. "and didn't bring him here
with your"
why should 2" and the man stepped
forward. his eyes on her, his
hands twitching with desire to clasp
her to him. yet restrained by some un.
definabie power. while l believed
your brother story. l could have play
ed the good Samaritan most beautiful
~, but after talked with Willoughby
I prefer him at distance"
my brother story! Do you mean
to insinuate you doubt his being my
brother? He told you that?"
He gave up the whole trick. You
can't trust . kid like that. Christie. A
couple Of drinks win loosen his ton