The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-08-16
CHAPTER XIV,


a Mistake In Asa ssinatlon.
Lot his future be what 1t might
Jack Keith would never again forget
the girl who held the door open for
his passage with one hand, her other
ciasped IN his. Interested before, yet
forcing himself into indifference now
that he knew who she really was. the
man made full surrender. II was q
struggle that kept him from clasping
the slender figure in his arms. and
pouring forth the words OF tenderness
which he sternly choked back. This
was neither the time, nor the place,
YET his eyes must have spoken, for
Hopes glance fell. and her cheeks
grew crimson.
I do not need To pledge you to re-
turn this time, do II" she questioned,
her voice trembling.
NO." he answered. nor any time
again."
The hall was deserted, but q few
men loitered In the Office. Keith
recognized none Of the faces, and did
not stop to make any inquiries of the
clerk. 1t was growing dark. the lights
already burning, and from the plash.
Ing OF drops on the window, It must
De raining outside Hawley would
surely have ended his call upon Miss
Maclaire long before this, and left the
hotel However interesting his COM
munication might have proven, she
must all her evening engagement at
the Trocadero. and would require time
Tor supper and rest As to the result
OF that interview there could be little
doubt Providing the gambler pos
sessed the proper papers he would
have small difficulty In convincing tho
girl that she was indeed the ono
sought Keith had probed sufficiently
into her mind to feel assured that her
inclination was to side with Hawley.
Under all the circumstances this was
natural enough. and he did not blame
her.
He glanced into the bar-room as he
passed, not In any anticipation. but
merely from the vigilance which be-
comes second nature upon the from.
tier. Hawley stood leaning against
the bar. where he could see any one
passing through the hall The eyes
OF the two men met, but the gambler
never moved. never changed his at
titude, although Keith noted that his
right hand was hidden beneath the
skirts OF his long coat. The plains
man drew back. facing his enemy, un-
ho
was sneer on Hawleys dark sinis-
ter face like an invitation, but mem
ory OF the girl he had just left, and
her dependence upon him. caused
Keith TO avoid an encounter. He
would fight this affair out In a differ.
ent way. AS the door opened and he
slipped forth into the gloom, he brush
ed against man apparently just en-
tering. The CLEAN OF light fell for an
instant upon the face of the other-it
was Scotty with the red moustache.
They had been watching for him
theD-what for? Hawley on the in.
side, and this man Scott without. were
waiting to determine when he left
the hotel; would probably dog his
footsteps to discover where he went
Keith lOOsened his revolver, SO as to
be assured he could draw quickly. and
slipped back into the shadow of the
steps, his eyes on the door of the
hotel There was a cold, drizzly rain
falling, the streets almost deserted,
appearing sOdden and miserable
where the lights shone forth through
saloon windows. One or two men.
seeking supper. coat collars turned up
and hats drawn low over their eyes.
climbed the rickety steps and went In,
but no one came out. Perhaps he
was mistaken as to the purpose of
those fellows: they may have desired