Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-10-26
CHAPTER XXI.
Fairpain and Christie.

Keith himself 10 run down the rene
gade Hawlcy, but after an hour of re-
sultless effort. his entire thought SHIFT
/ ed to the woman they had left alone
at the hotel. He could not, as yet,
/ fully grasp the situation, bat lie re.
manned loyal to the one overpowerirg
truth that he loved Christie Mac'airo.
FAIRBANKS nature was rough, orig
inal yet loyal to the core. He had
lived all his life long in army camps.
! and upon the frontier. ard his code
Of honor was extremely simple II
never once occurred 20 him that Chris
ties profession was not OF the high
est, or that her life and association5
IN any way unified her for the future.
TO his mind she was The one and only
woman, His last memory Of hor, -
| the little party of men fled out #
that room, haunted him uYtil he I'm
! ally dropped out Of the search and
| drtfted back toward the hotel
1t was n late hour, yet it was hard
| ly likely the woman had retired Her
excitement, her interest in the pursuit,
would surely prevent that: moreover.
he was certain he saw q light st,ll
burning in her room, as he looked up
/ from the black street below. Never
She!ess he hesitated, uncertain Of his
reception. BluT. emphatic, never
afraid TO face a man in his life. his
heart now beat flercely as he endcav-
ored to muster the necessary cour-
HD,.
roysterer fred a shot, and sudden fear
lest he might be sought after probes
slonally sent the doctor hurriedly
within, and up the stairs. lie stood
Just outside her door. quakng like u
child, the perspiration beading his
forehead, but light streamod
through the transom, and he could
plainly hear movements within. At
last, In sudden spasm Of courage
he knocked softly. Even in that noisy
spot she heard instantly, opening the
door without hesitation, and standing
fully dressed within. She was no
longer discouraged, sobbing girl
but an aroused, intent woman, into
whose pathetic, lonely lifo thero had
come new hope She appeared
younger. fairer, with the light shlr-
mering in her hair ana her eyes smi-
Ing welcome.
on, Doctor" and her hands were
thrust out towards him, Il am glad
YOU have come. Somehow. thought
you would, and | have wanted 70 to
talk to some one-to you"
ITO me! DO you really mean that,
Miss Christie?"
Yes, | really mean that, you great
bear OF man." and the girl laughed
lightly, dragging him into the ,oom
and closing the door Why, ~hu else
could l expect TO come tonight? You
were the only cGe really good to mo.
You--you acted Us II you believed III
mas oil thn time"
did, Christie; YOU bet cid,
broke IN the delighted dcctor every
nerve unC!irg I'D a cleaned out
that whole gang If you'd only said
so, but | reckon now it was better TO
let them tell all they knew. 1t was
like a thunder storm clearing the at
mos phere"
oh, II vas. indeed, Now know
who aIn--who | am Isn't that sim
ply glorious' Sit dorm, Doctor Fair,
balm, there in the big chair whore
can see your face. | want to talk, talk,
talk; want TO ask questions, d thou
sand questions; but It wouldn't do an
good 70 ask them OF you. would IL?
You don't knew anything about my
family, do your
Not very muoh. | am afraid, only
that you ,:avs got hi almighty pretty
half'elstu," admitted the nAu, en-
phauoslly, and old Waite possesse
the vil2Pt Temper ever given hu-
man being Hes no blood kin to you,
thnvhh."
No, but he is awfully good under
meath, isn't ho?"
! Got a heart OF pure gold, old
Waite Why, I've seen him cry like
a baby over one of his men that got
hurt"
Have you known him, then, for a
long while?"
Ever since the Spring of '61.
was brigaded with him all through the
war, and had to cut bullet or so
out OF his hide before 1t ended. If
there was ever fight Willis Waite
was sure TO get his share, He could
swear some then, but he's improved
since. and reckon now he could like
ly claim the championship"
"Dd-did you know my mother
alsor and Christie leaned forward,
her eyes suddenly grown misty. II
haven't even tho slightest memory
of her"
Tho doctors heart was tender and
he WAS swift to respond, reaching
forth and grasping the hand nearest
him. He had made love before, yet
somehow this was different; he felt
half afraid Of this woman. and It was
new sensation altogetheg, and not
unpleasant,
II saw her often enough In those
days, but not since She was frequent
ly in camp. n very sweet-faced Won
an; YOU have her eyes and hair as /
remember. Waite ought to have rec