Semi-weekly herald., 1911-07-17
CHAPTER XVIII.
Tho Stage Door Of tho rrooss,ro

The Stage Door Of the Trooadero.
Hope discovered very little difficulty
in duplicating the outer garments
Keith reported Miss Maclaire as wear.
ing The colors, indeed, were NOT az
actly the same, yet this difference was
not sufficient to be noticeable at night
by the eyes OF man who had no rea-
son to suspect deceit The girl was
in a fiutter of nervous excitement as
she hastened about the room, donning
her few requirements of masquerade,
yet Keith noted with appreciation that
she became perceptibly cooler as the
moment of departure approached.
With cheeks aname and eyes shark.
ling. yet speaking with a voice re-
vealing no falter, she pressed his arm
and declared herself prepared for the
ordeal The face under the shadow
of the mantilla was SO arch and
piquant, Keith could not disguise his
admiration.
Am l Christie Maclaire?" she asked
laughingly.
Sufficiently so to fool our friend"
he returned. "but am ready to swear
tnnJ iauy never iuuKeu so charming.
"a compliment, and spoken as
though you really meant it."
Have l not been honest enough
with you In the past to be credited
with honesty now" he protested, lit
tie hurt by the bantering tone.
"Of course you have; merely talk
lightly to keep my courage up. You
can have no idea how afraid am"
Then you are truly an actress, for
you appear the picture of enjoyment.
But we must go. or Hawley will be
there before us, and thus spoil all our
plans"
They passed out through the office
together. seeing no one familiar to
either, Hope keeping her face par
TALLY concealed The east side of the
street was less frequented than the
other. having fewer saloons along it's
way, and they chose It's darkness. Az
they advanced, the long habit OF from
tier life caused Keith to glance be.
hind before they had progressed
block. and he was thus made aware
that they were being followed Con
versing lightly. and without word
to alarm the girl, he managed to OBJ
serve every movement of the dimly
outlined figure which advanced with
them. timing every motion to theirs
Long before they crossed the street
to the Trocadero he was convinced
there was no mistake-the fellow
whoever he might be, was trailing
them. Keith smiled grimly to himself
resolving that as soon as he had left
the lady he would teach the spy les
son not soon to be forgotten
They barely entered the outer circle
of the Trocadero lights, noting a group
Of men thronging about the doors, and
hearing the sound Of the band within,
and then turned swiftly down the mar
row dark alleyway leading toward the
stage entrance Keith having been
there before. advanced confidently, but
Hope, her heart beating wildly, olung
to his arm, scarcely yenturing word
In reply to his whispered assurances.
Fortunately they encountered no one.
ond Keith, feeling cautiously In the
dark, easily succeeded In locating the
opening to the vestlbule. Listening
intently he became convinced that no
one occupied the little shed. He had
intended to remain with the girl until
the time came for her to emerge. but
tho remembrance OF that figure dogging
them all the way from the hotel now
caused change of plan. He held
her hand closely clasped in his
Now, Hope, | am going to leave
you" he whispered. "and your own
wit will have to carry you through.
know you Will play your part all right.
and It will be mine to wait for Chris
tie, and give her some explanation OF
why Hawley failed to meet her as he
promised. 1t will never do for her to
suspect. until you have time to learn
all possible. You are not afraid?"
Yes, / am" clinging to him, but
hut | am going through 1t just the
same"
The truest kind OF courage, my
girl. Now slip inside. but hold the
door ajar Hawley viii certainly be
here within ten minutes. and you must
join him at once. or else the other
might appear You can Judge as to
its being him even in this darkness
Goodbye"
The longing to clasp her In his
heart, was almost overwhelming, yet
the memory of that figure sinking
along behind them, and the brief time