Semi-weekly herald., 1911-07-17
CHAPTER xxx.
BY Force Of Arms.

WIN uer Hndtt lnToublnk 0eFctly.
Hope chung to the outer door of tho
vestibule endeavoring to see little
of what was transpirirg without
About her was dense darkness, and
she dare not explore the surrounding
Behind could be heard, through what
must have been a thin partition, the
various distractions OF the stage.
shifting scenery, music, shutIiing feet.
voices, and the occasional sound OF
applause. The girl had nerved herself
to the encounter with Hawley. but
this waiting here In darkness and un-
certainty tried her to the uttermost
If some one should venture out that
way how could she excuEe her pres
ence or explain hor purpose? She
found herself trembling in every limb
from nervous fear, startled by every
strange sound Would the man never
Gomez Surely Christie herself must
be ready to depart by this time
Almost prepared to fee before the
terrors thus conjured up within her
mind. they left her as II by magic the
moment her strainiug eyes distin-
guished tho approach of a dim figure
without. She could not tell who IT
WAS. only that It was the unmistakable
form Of man, and thet he was whis-
ting softly to himself It might not
prove to be the gambler, but she must
accept the chance, for flesh and blood
could stand the strain of waiting no
longer Yet she was not conscious of
fear. only Of exultation. as she stopped
g,fa L..
circulating freely in her veins Al
the slight oreak Of the door the man
saw her, his whistle ceGsing his hat
lifted. instantly she recognized him
as Hawley, her heart leaping with the
excitement of encounter.
why. hullo, Christie" he said IA
miliarly. 81 thought I was early, and
expected a ten minutes wait came
out as soon as you left the stage"
"Oh | can dress in a iiffy when
there is any cause Tor hurry" Hope
responded, permitting herself to DRIFT
under his guidance. Are you dlsap-
pointed? Would you prefer to com
mune with nature?"
We'll. I should say not" drawing
her hand through his arm. and then
pntting 1t with his own. 81 have seen
about all | care to of nature, but not
of Christie Maclare."
you may learn to feel the same
regarding her" Hope answered. afraid
to encourage the man, yet eagerly
fearful lest she fall to play her part
Alright.
Not the slightest danger" laughing
lightly. and pressing her arm more
closely against his body. Although 1
must confess you exhibited some tenn
per when | was late tonight"
Did not have occasion tor A
woman should never be kept waiting.
especially If her engagement be i'm
perative"
oh am not finding any fault, you
little spit-Hre. Ike you all the bet
ter because you fight But the trou-
BILE was. Christie. you simply jumped
on me without even asking how It oc-
CURED You took It for granted was
lato on purpose to spite you"
We'll. weren't your and tho girl
glanced inquiringly up into his face,
as they passed out of the alley into
me lBHb vi Iut
you certainly acted that way"
No. | did not; but you wouldn't
listen, and besides had no time then
to explain. There's lot happened
this afternoon want to tell you
about WIN you give me time to talk
with your"
why. of course" surprised at the
question, yet full OF eagerness. why
should you ask that?"
Because want you alone where
no one can overhear a syllable. I'm
afraid OF that damned hotel. You
never know who is in the next roem.
and the slightest whisper travels from
ono end TO the other. That Is one way
in which Keith got onto our desl-he
had a room next to Willoughby and
Scott and overheard them talking
I'm not going to take any more
chances win you go to 'Shoeny
Joe's' with me?"
She drew back from him
"'sheeny Joe's7' You mean the sa-
loon near the depot?"
Sure; what's the use OF being 10
squeamish7 You sing and dance 70
saloon crowd. don't your Oh. I know
you're a good girl, Christie. and all
that. I'm not ranking you with these
fy-by-nights around here. But there's
no reason that can see why you
should shy 80 at saloon. Besides.
you won't see any one. Joe has got
some back room where we can be
alone. and have bite TO eat while
we're talking. What do you say7"
"oh, I would rather nos" Hope fall
tered. bewildered by this unexpected
request, already half-tempted to break
away and run. Really IL don't
want to go there"
Hswley was evidently surpriee at
this refusal. naturally supposing from
her life that Miss Maclaire's scruples
would be easily overcome. This OBJ
stlnacy Of the girl aroused his anger.
You women beat the devil" he
calculated, gruf'y, pretending to be
so damn particular. Maybe you'd
rather stand out there on the prairie
and talk?" with n sweep OF his hand
around the horizon.
Yes, | would" catching desperately
at the straw. I'm not afraid Of you;
I'm not blaming you at all, only IL
don't want to 20 to 'Sheeny Joes"