Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1911-10-19
CHAPTER Ky.
Aaaln chrIstle MaclaIre.

again Christie Mdclaire.
Keith possessed sufficient means for
several months of idleness. and even
II he had not. his reputation as a
plains scout would insure him employ
ment at any of the more important
scattered army posts. Reliable men
for such service were in demand. The
restlessness of the various Indian
tribes, made specially manifest by
raids on the more advanced settle.
ments, and extending over constant
~ widening territory. required contin-
uous interchange of communication
between commanders OF detachments.
Bold and reckless spirits had Aeeked
to the frontier lin those days follow
ing the Civil War. yet all were not OF
the type to encourage confidence In
military authorities. Keith had al
ready frequently served In this ca
pacity. and abundantly proved his
worth under rigorous demands of both
endurance and intelligence, and be
could feel assured Of permanent en-
ployment whenever desired Not q
few OF the more prominent officers he
had met personally during the late
war-fncluding Sheridan, to whom he
had once borne flag Of truce-yet
the spirit of the Confederacy still lin
gered In his heart; not In any feeling
Of either hatred or revenge, but in an
unwillingness to serve the blue uni-
form. and memory of antagonism
which would not entirely disappear
He had surrendered at Appomattox
conquered. yet he could not quite adj
just himself to becoming companion
in-arms with those against whom he
had fought valiantly for four years.
Some OF the wounds of that conflict
still smarted. A natural soldier, anx-
ibus to help the harassed settlers.
eager enough to be actively employed.
he still held aloof from army connec-
tons except as q volunteer In case of
emergency.
Just now other considerations
caused him to desire freedom. He
had been accused Of murder. impris.
oned for It, and In order to escape.
had been compelled to steal horses.
the most heinous crime of the from.
tier. Not only for his own protec-
ton and safety must the truth of that
occurrence at the cimmaron Crossing
be made clear, but he also had now a
personal affair with BLACK Bart" Haw.
ley to be permanently settled They
had already FLASHED twice. and Keith
intended they should meet again.
Memory of the girl was still In his
mind as he and Neb rode silently
forth on the black prairie. leading the
extra horse behind him He endeav.
ored to drive the recollection from his
mind, so he might concentrate It upon
plans for the future. but somehow she
mysteriously wove her own personali.
=ty into those plans. and he was ever
seeing the pleading In her eyes. and
listening to the soft Southern accent
of her voice. OF late years he had
been unaccustomed to association
with women of high type. and there
was that touch OF the gentlewoman
about this girl which had awakened
deep interest OF course he knew that
In her case It was merely an Inheri-
lance of her past. and could not truly
represent the present Christie Ma
claire of the music halls. However
fascinating she might be. she could
not be worthy any serious. considera-
ton. In spite Of his rough life the
social spirit Of the old South was Inn
planted In his blood, and no woman of
that class could hold him captive. Yet.
some way. she refused to be banished
or left behind. Even Neb must have;
been obsessed by a similar spirit. for
he suddenly observedS
dat am suttnly a mighty fine gal.
Massa Jack. I amt seen nothin' to
compare wild her since quit OF Vir-
ginia- deed amt"
Keith glanced back at his black
satellite. barely able to distinguish
the fellows dim outlines.
'.'You think her lady, them he
questioned, giving thoughtless utter
ance to his own Imagination.
= Deed does!s the thick voice
somewhat Indignant II reeksn
knows de real quality when I sees Il
Use ISOLATED Wild quality white folks
befose
sBut, Ne6. she's singer ii dance
halls
Il don't believe it. Massa Jack.
Well. I wouldn't II could help It
She don.t seem hike that kind. but
recognized her as soon as | got her
face In the light She was at the
Gaiety IN independence, the last time
was there Hawley knew her too.
ana called her by name "
Neb rubbed bis eyes. and slapped