The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-08-16
gloves and removing her hat


viii you be seated, Captain: tho
armchair by the window Is the more
comfortable" She turned toward him.
almost shyly. yet with womanly curl
osity which would not be stilled Was
your call upon Miss Maclaire very in.
teresting? Did YOU admire her very
much?"
keith's eyes lifted to her face. his
ears quick to detect the undertone
in her voice.
interesting? yes, for / was seeking
after Information. and met with some
success. AS TO the other question.
am not sure whether l admire the lady
or not She Is bright. pretty, and
companionable. and In spite of her
profession. at heart, believe, q good
woman. But really, Miss Hope, I was
too deeply immersed In MY purpose
to give her personality much consid.
Grafton. Among other things We spoke
of you"
"Of me? Why?"
Il told her something Of our al.
ventures together; of how both Haw-
ley and had been confused. She was
anxious TO learn who you were. but
unfortunately, have never. even yet.
heard your name"
You have not?''
No; / left you at Fort Larned be-
lieving you Christie Maclaire-sup-
posing 1t your stage name, of course
and was confirmed In this belief by
finding In the holster a the saddle
you had been riding an envelope bear
ing that address"
II remember; 1t contained the note
the man brought to me from Hawley:
he had written 1t that way" She
crossed the room. sinking down into a
chair facing him "And you have
actually confused me with Christie
Maclaire all this while! Have never
known who I was?"
He shook his head
II told you to call me Hope: that 10
my name--I am Hope Waite"
"Waite!" he leaned forward. star.
tied by the possibility-"not--not
Yes" she burst III. holding out her
hands. clasping the locket, 'and this
was my fathers: where did you get
ur
He took the trinket from her, turn.
ing 1t over in his fingers. Little by nt-
tle the threads Of mystery were be-
Ing unraveled. yet. even now, he could
not see very far. He looked up from
the locket into her questioning face.
Did not tell you? No; then it
was an oversight This was about the
throat Of one Of the mon I buried at
Cimmaron Crossing. but-but, Hope.
II was not your father"
II know" her voice choking slight.
y. Mrs. Murphy found that out;
mat is why I am here. I heard my
father came to Sheridan. and l wanted
you to help me And him"
He was thinking and did not answer
at once. and she went on In some
alarm.
DO you know anything about him.
Captain Keith Where is he? Why
is he here? Don't be afraid to tell
me-
He pressed the locket back into her
hand. retaining the latter, unresisted.
within his own.
Il have not seen your father. Hope,
but he was certainly here q few days
sso. for Fairbain met him. They were
together In the army. I am going to
tell you all know-it seems to be
tangled web. but the ends must be
somewhere, although, I confess, l am
all at sea-"
He told 1t slowly and simply, bring
ing forth his earlier suspicion, and
how he had stumbled upon facts ap-
parently confirming them. He related
her fathers robbery. his loss Of vaiu-
able papers. and the conversation be-
tween Hawley and Scott which led to
the suspicion that these same pa.
pers bad fallen into the hands
OF the former. and were the
basis OF his plot Hope listened,
breathlees with interest, her widely
opened eyes filled with wonder AS
he concluded speaking she burst
forth:
But don't understand In che least.
Captain Keith Why did this man
Hawley send me to the Salt Fork?"
He thought be was dealing with
Christie Maclaire He had some rea-
son for getting her away; getting her
where he could exercise influence over
her"
"Yes-yes; but who ts she?"
THAT is what makes the matter so
hard to unravel She doesn't even
know herself. Hawley Is going to
take advantage Of her ignorance in
this respect. and convince her that
she Is the person he wishes her to
represent-but who Is the person? II
we knew that we might block the
game"
Both sat silent, striving to figure
out some reasonable explanation.
DO you know Of any special papers
your father carried7~ he asked.
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