The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1911-09-22
CHAPTER ix-(contInued.)

knowledge frankly, with no thought
except for myself. Hunger was my
master, and l ask your forgiveness.
Miss Maclaire."
Her eyes smiled.
Il am so very glad to have any one
here-any one-in whom ! feel even
o little confdence-that nothing else
greatly matters. Can you both eat,
and listen"
Keith nodded, his eyes full OF inter
est, searching her face.
Whoever l may be, Mr. Keith, and
really that seems only Of small I'M
iportance, / came to Fort Larned seek
ing some trace Of my only brother,
whom we last heard from there, where
he had fallen into evil companionsh1p.
.On the stage trip | was fortunate
Enough to form an acquaintance with
man who told me he knew where |
could meet Fred, but that the boy was
hiding because of some trouble he
had lately gotten into, and that |
should have to proceed very carefully
go as not to lead the officers to dis
cover his whereabouts. This gentle
man vas engaged In some business at
Carson City. but he employed a mar
70 bring me to this place, and prom
Used to get Fred, and meet me here the
following day. There must have been
some failure In the plans, for | have
been here entirely alone now for three
days. 1t has been very lonesome, and
and I've been a little frightened.
Perhaps l ought not to have come, and
am not certain what kind Of a place
this Is. | was so afraid when you
came, but | am not afraid now"
you have no need to be-" he said
Icandor Of the girl, and feeling thank
ful that he was present to aid her. Il
could not. wrong one Of the South"
My father always told me | could
trust a Southern gentleman under any
circumstances. Mr.. Hawley waS from
my own State, and knew many of ouI
old friends. That was why I felt such
unusual confidence In him, although
he was but a travelling acquaintance
"Mr. Hawley?"
The gentleman whom l met on the
stage"
"Oh, yes; you said he was In bust
ness IN Carson City, but | don't seen
20 remember any one Of that name"
He was not there permanently
only to complete some business deal.
"And your brother? may possibl.
have known him"
She hesitated IN instant, her eye
dropping. until completely shaded b.
Hhe long lashes.
"He-he was rather a wild boy, an,
ran away from home to enlist in tn
army. But he got into a bad set. an
-and deserted. That was part Of tn
trouble which caused him to hide. H
enlisted under the~name of Fred WI
Roughly. Mr.. Hawley told me TIL
much, but I am afraid he did not tie
me ALL"
And hs said you would meet hill
Iherer
Keith gazed about the bare su
.roundings wonderingly. What Wa
this place, hidden way in the mid
Df the desert, isolated in a spot whel
not even Indians roamed. Could 1t |
10 secret rendezvous Of crime, IL
Headquarters Of desperadoes, of ca
kle rustlers. Of the highwaymen Of Il
6ante Fe Trail-a point to which tn,
could ride when hard presssd, &C
tain of hiding hero In safetyf He b
gan to suspect this, but. if SO, wi
then was this Hawley. and with VIII
object had he sent this girl her
Every way he turned was to confro
mystery, to face a new puzzle. VIII
ever she might be-even the NUT
hall singer he believed-she had be
lnveigled here innocently enous
YES" she replied, he said that Il
was one Of the stations Of q big ran
on which Fred was employed. and Ii
he would certainly be here within
day or two"
you met Hawley on the sta
coach? How did you become acquai
ed?"
I'VE were alone for nearly fl
miles," her voice faltering slight
"and-and he called MI what you di,
Christie Maclaire?"
Yes; he-he seemed to think
knew me, and I needed help so mu
that l let him believe 30. l thous
Il could do no harm, and then, wh
found he actually knew Fred, I did