The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-08-26

Ing backward In the chair, her myers
clasping or unclasping In nervous at
tention- He began with Neb's report,
repeating. word by word. as nearly as
he could recollect, what had passed
between Hawley and her father He
paused 70 inquire II she had ever
heard the name Bartlett, but her re-
ply was merely negative shake Of
the head. When he described their
missiag the train, she was. apparently.
not convinced a. TO the Generals de-
parture upon It. although finally agree
Ing that II he really believed the re-
port that the man sought was else
where, II would be characteristic OF
him to accept the first means OF get
ting there. If he only knew I was
here" she exclaimed YEARLY, 1T
might DO 20 different but oh. we are
ali Of us Just cropping In the dark"
Than Keith turned to his chance meet
ing With Miss Maclaire, and repeated
carefully their conversation, dwelling
particularly upon the few admissions
which had slipped through her lips.
These did not seem important to eth
Or. although they treasured them up
and talked them over. Then. having
exhausted the topic. silence fell be-
tween them. Keith asking the privi-
iege Of lighting q cigar. Hope. after
Watching him apply the match. think
ing what fine face he had as the
ruddy flame brought II forth with the
clearness Of o cameo, leaned back.
drawing aside the semblance to lace
curtain. and staring forth, without see-
ing. into the street.
Somehow. It was hard for her to full
ly realize the situation, and how close
iy II affected her The swiftly passing
events. the complication arising SO
suddenly. apparently out Of nothing.
left her feeling as though she must
surely awake from q dream. She could
not comprehend what It was all
about; the nAmes Bartlett and Phyl
lis had no clear meaning. they repre-
sented nothing but shadows; and this
other woman-this music hall singer
what could there Be IN common be-
tween themf Yet there must be
something--somethfn at vital import
ance TO her father-something which
had already cost her brothers life.
That WAS the one thing which made IL
seem an actuahty-which brought II
home to her a. q rugged fact But for
that-and Kstth-Keith sitting there
before her-Ahe would have doubted It
all And yet even Keith had como
into her hfe 90 suddenly. 20 unexpect-
edly, a. TO leave her daxed and un-
certain. that she extended her hand
and touched him. - though to make
sure Of his actual presence.
What u H. Hopper
'Oh. nothiny-nothfng." her voico
breaking In little sob. TT IL so Silly.
but ! was just wondering II you were
rea&-everything seems SO impossible.
I cannot bring my mind to grasp the
situation"
He did not smile. but only took the
cropping hand into both Of his own.
7 think understand. little girl"
he said gravely. You are totally un-
used to such life. Almost without q
moments warning you have been
plunged into uaelstrom OF adventure,
and arc all confused. II Is different
with mo-since the FIRST shot at Sum.
ter my life has been ono of action,
and adventure has grown to be the
stimulus need. and upon which I
thrive But I assure you." pressing the
soft hand warmly. n am real"
"Of course I know that; II makes
me glad to know t. II could only
do something myself. and not Just sic
here, II would all become real enough
TO me-"
She rose suddenly to her feet, clasp
Ing her hands together. her face
changing with new animation.
why couldn't I? am sure I could.
Oh. Mr.. Keith. II has Just come to mo
how l can help"
He looked at her questioningly,
thinking of her beauty rather than Of
what she said.
"Do-dc I really appear 30 much
hke-like tSat woman?" she asked
anxiously