Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-10-26
Copyright, A. C. MoClurg & Co.. 1siO)
CHAPTER XXX.
The Search for the Missino.

uef IN the WOnldn voice rang through
the room. stilling all else, and oaus-
ing those who hoard to forget for an
instant the sterner purpose of their
gathering. Fairbain bent over her
like a fat guardian angel, patting her
shoulder, her eyes so blurred with
tears as to be practically sightless, yet
still turned questioningly upon Waite.
The sheriff was first to recover
speech, and a sense Of duty.
Then this lets Miss Maclaire out
OF the conspiracy charge" he said.
gravely but It doesn't make 1t any
brighter for Hawley SO far as can
see-there's robbery charge against
him If nothing else. Any one here
know where the fellow tsp"
For a moment no one answered, al
though Keith took step forward, re-
minded instantly OF Hopes predica-
Inent Before he could speak, however.
Christie looked up, with swift gesture
pushing back her loosened hair.
He was to have met me at the
theater tonight" she said. her voice
trembling. but was not there when
] came out: he-he said he had i'm
portant news for me"
And failed to show up--did he send
no messenger"
Doctor Fairbain was waiting for
me instead He said that Mr.. Hawley
was called suddenly out OF town"
The eyes Of the sheriff turned to
Fa1rbain. whose face grew redder
than usual. as he shifted his gaze
toward Keith.
THAT was a lie," he confessed,
1amely. IL was told to say that
"Just a mopent, Sheriff" and Keith
stood before them. his voice clear and
convincing. My name is Keith, and
have unavoidably been mixed UP in
this affair from the beginning. Just
now l can relieve the doctor Of his
embarrassment Miss Hope Waite
and have been associated together
In an effort to solve this mystery This
evening, taking advantage of the re-
markable resem blance existing be.
tween herself and Miss Maclaire, Miss
Hope decided upon n mask"
whats that" Waite broke in ex-
citedly. rs hone here?"
Yes, has been for a week; we've
all tne police iotce CT puvrIuun
hunting you"
The old man stared at the speaker,
open-mouthed. and muttered some
thing about Fort Hays. but Keith, pay
Ing little attention to hin, hurried on
with his story.
As | say, she decided upon imper.
fonatlg Christie here, hoping In this
way to learn more regarding Hawley's
plans. We had discovered that the
two were to meet after tho evening
performance at the stage door of the
Trocadero. | escorted Hope there,
dressed as near like Miss Maclaire as
possible, and left her inside the yesti-
bue waiting for Black Bart to ap-
pear. At the head of the alley I ran
into Fairbain, told him something OF
the circumstances, and persuaded him
to escort Miss Christie back TO the
hotel. He was not very hard to per
suade. Well, Hawley came, and Hope
met him; they went out OF the alley
way together arm IN arm. talking
pleasantly and turned this way to-
ward the hotel The doctor and
both saw and heard them. was de-
Ayed not to exceed two minutes,
bpeaktng final word TO Fairbain. and
when / reached the street they had
disappeared l have hunted them
everywhsre without finding trace--I
have even been through the resorts
She has not returned to the hotel, and
4 bArst In upon you here hoping that
Miss Meciaire might have some in,or.
patton"
She shook her head, and Waite,
Biarins impotently at the two of them.
,wore sharply
Good God. man my girl! Hope,
alone with that damn villain. Come
on Sheriff we've got to find her,
Wai., though" and he strobe almost
msnacing,y acynaa The room. First.
war. 20 know who tho devil you
arey'
Keith Enlightened up. looking d.
Socuy into t'e feroe questioning eyes.
~ havo told you my name-Jack
Keith he replied. quietly. Doctor
Fairbsin knows something Of me, but
for Jour further Information will add
Zhat when We mot before I was Cap
tain Ks,th, THIRD Virginia Cavalry
and bearing dispatches from Long
sareet TO Stonswau Jackson"
Ths gTuf Old soldier. half-ornzed by
ne nova Of his daughters peril, this
glesm OF his eyos still revealing un-
controlled temper. stared at the young
u faoe fronting him; than slowly be
!seld out his hand
'Kedth--Keith," hs repeated, as
though bringing back the name with
IN ofrort by God. that's sold JET
!erson Keith's boy-killed at An
na.am. And you know Hooper
Yea, Gen oral"
He looked about as though dazsd.
aud the sheriT broke IL not unkindly
We'll, Waite. II We are going TO
search for your daughter we better
b At It Como Oh. all OF you; Miss
Maciairs viii be safe enough here
Rlons."
He took hold OF Keith's arm, ques.
uoning him briefly as they passed
down the hall. On tho stairs the lat,
ter took his turn, still confused by
what he had Just heard.
Who IL Miss Maolaire?" he asked
Phyllis Gale"
"Of course, but who 10 Phyllis Gale 7
U1,nA -l