Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-10-12
upon him for assistance"

upon him for assistance"
Who! TIawley?" Keith questioned,
hardly trusting his own ears.
Yes; indeed he Is very different
man from what you have been led to
believe. know he is a gambler, and
all that, but really II Is not altogether
his fault He told me about his life,
and It was very sad. He was driven
from home when only boy, ana
naturally drifted into evil company.
His one ambition is to break away,
and redeem himself. am so anxious
to help him, and wish you could real
lie his purpose. as do, and become
his friend. Won't you. for my sake!
Why, even In this affair he has not
the slightest mercennry purpose-he
has only thought Of what was rightful-
ly mine"
Keith listened feeling to the full the
woman's earnestness, the impossible
" of changing her fixed conviction.
Hawley had planted his seed deep and
we'll IN fruitful soil.
you make a strong and charming
advocate. Miss Maclaire." he returned,
feeling the necessity OF saying some
thing II should like to have you
equally earnest on my side. Yet It
will he hard 10 convince me that
Black Bart Is the paragon OF virtue
YOU describe. wish I might believe
for your sake. Did he also explain
how he came into possession OF these
wVers7"
ooh, yes, indeed; there Ia no secret
about that. They we're entrusted to
him by an old man whom he discov.
cred sick in Independence, and who
died in his rooms three years ago.
Mr.. Hawley has been searching over
since for the old mans granddaughter.
1t is remarkable how he was finally
convinced that was the one"
"A photograph. was It not7'
A CLEAN Of sudden suspicion ap
peared In the brown eyes, a slight
change In facial expression
That was clue, yes. hv. f%- from
being all. But why shoo!d tsl you
is?--you believe nothing aAy."
II believe that you believe; that
You are fully ooavinced N ths justice
Of your claim Perhaps II IL Just. but
I am Suspicious of anvtnias which
Bart Hawley has hand In. Mas
Christie. you really p1aks Ins wish to
retain your friendship, but cannot
DO SO II the cost includes faith in
Hawley. DO you know that Is not
sven his name--that he liver under an
aiias?~
rs there anything strange In that
cut hcre?" she asked stontly. II told
you how deeply he regretted his HE .
that alone woaid be sufficient cause
for him to drop h!s family name D'd
you ever learn his true namA:"
He was not sure-cnly a. Neb bad
reported what Waite had called the
man, yet ventured q direc. reply.
Bartlett. teliev--he uses It now
az prefix
"Rartle%t!--B Bartlett Ter hands
clasring, and unoaasping uervousr3
Why. what strange coincidence"
Flow, What DC yeu mesN?"
"Oh. nothing-notl!DE," biting her
lips IL vexation. Tho name merely
recalled something. But really. must
60. Mr.. Keith, or shall be late at the
theater. You have not attended since
came!"
, No" arising from the table witt
| her. However, have heard you
! sing before. and hope l may again"
How tenderly you dwell on that
word hope" she said banterngly, ri
) almost makes me envious"
7 Your resemblance almost makes
/ me forget"
But not Quite?"
NO, not quite" he confessed
smiling back into her quizzing eyes.
They went out into the hall togeth
er. only to meet with Doctor Falrbair
at the door. The latter stared at the
two with some embarrassment for I
moment forgetful Of his purpose HI:
gaze settled on the face Of the Indy,
Always getting you two mixed" he
blurted forth Never saw such re
semblance-positively uncanny-sam'
hotel too means trouble-this Mis-:
Waiter"
mo. Doctor; am Miss Meclaire.
Ought to have known lift knew
as much about faces as do about an
} atomy never would make such mis-