Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1911-12-21

keith'S eyes lifted to her lace, us
ears quick to detect the undertone
In her voice. =.z
Interesting? yes. for | was seeking
after information, and met with some
success. AS to the other question, /
am not sure whether admire the lady
or not. She Is bright, pretty, and
COMP; Ilonable, and in spite OF ner
profession, at heart. believe, gooo
woman But really. Miss Hope. was
too deeply immersed IN my purpose
to give her personality much Jconslo.
Grafton Among other things We spoke
of you"
.Of me? Why?"
II told her something OF our ad-
ventures together; OF how Goth HaW-
ley and had been confused. She was
anxious to learn who you were, out
unfortunately. have never. even YET
heard your name.
You have nota"
mo; / left you at Fort Larned be-
lieving you Christie Maclaire-sup-
posing II your stage name. OF course
and was confirmed in this beiief by
finding In the holster>of the saddle
you had been riding an envelope bear.
ing that address"
Il remember; It 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 was?"
He shook his head.
Il told you to call me Hope; that is
my name am Hope Waite"
"Waitet" he leaned forward. star
tied by the possibility -"not-not--@
Yes" she burst in, holding out her
hands. elasping the locket. land this
was my fathers: where did you get
it"
r He took the trinket from her. turn
ing 1t over in his fingers. Little by lit
tie the threads of mystery we're be-
ing unraveled, yet, even now. he could
not see very far. He looked up from
the locket into her questioning face.
Did Il not tell you? No: then it
was an oversight. This was about the
throat of one of the men | buried at
Cimmaron Crossing, but--but. Hope,
it was not your father
4 know" her voice choking slight,
ly Mrs Murphy found that out;
that is why | am here. heard my
father came to Sheridan, and wanted
you to help me find him.
He was thinking and did not answer
mr. chn ip
alarm
DO you know anything about him,
Captain Keith? Where Is he? Why
Is he here? Don't be afraid to tell
me-
4 He pressed the locket back into her
hand, retaining the latter, unresisted
within his own.
have not seen your father, Hope,
but he was certainly here a few DAYS
ago. for Fairbain met him They were
together In the army. am going 10
tell you all know-it seems to be a
tangled web,s but the ends must be
somRwhere, although. ! confess, / am
alk-at sea,
He told it 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 valu-
able papers. and the conversation be.
tween Hawley and Scott which led 10
the suspicion that these same pa
pers had fallen into the hands
Of the former. and were the
basis of his plot. Hope listened,
breathless with interest. her. widely
opened eyes filed with wonder. AS
he concluded speaking she burst
forth:
But don't understand in the least,
Captain Keith. Why did this man
Hawley send me to the Salt Fork?"
He thought he was dealing with
Christie Maclaire. He had some rea-
so-s for getting her away: getting her
where he could exercise influence over
her.
"Yes-yes; but who is she?"
That is what makes the matter so
hard TO unrayel She doesn't even
know herself Hawley Is going 10
take advantage Of her ignorance in
this respect, and convince her that
she is the person he wishes her to
Representative who is the person? Ii
We knew that we might block the
game