The Mena weekly star., 1911-10-26
CHAPTER xxvlu.
The staae poor of the rroeaaero.

The Stage Deor of the Trocadero.
 Hope discovered very little difficulty in duplicating the outer garments Keith reported Miss Mac'aire as wear ing. The colors, indeed were not ex- actly the same. yet this difference was not sufficient to be noticeable at night by the eyes of a man who had no req son to suspect deceit The girl was In hutter of nervous excitement as she hasteued about the room. dc7ning her few requirements of masquerade, yet Keith noted with appreciation that she became perceptibly cooler as the moment of departure approached With cheeks a1ame and eyes spark. ling, yet speaking with a voice re- vealing no falter, she pressed his arm and declared herself prepared for the ordeal The face under the shadow of the mantilla was so arch and Siquant, Keith could not disguise his admiration.
 Am I Christie Maclaire?" she asked iauEhingly.
 Sufficiently so to fool our friend :" be returned, but I am ready to swear that lady never looked so charming
 "A compliment, and spoken as though you really meant 1t"
 Have l not been honest enough with you in the past to be credited with honesty now?" he protested. lit tie hurt by the bantering tone.
 of course you have; I merely talk lightly to keep my courage up. You can have no idea how afraid l am"
 Then you are truly an actress, for you appear the picture of enjoyment But we must go. or Hawley will be there before us, and thus spoil all our plans"
 They passed out through the office together, seeing no one familiar to either. Hope keeping her face par tially concealed. The east side of the street was less frequented than the other. having fewer saloons along it's way, and they chose its darkness. AS they advanced, the long habit of iron tier life caused Keith to glance be AAA0 httoAV AhN1 hdQ HAOk block, and be was thus made aware that they were being followed. Con versing lightly, and without word to alarm the girl, he managed to ob serve every movement of the dimly outlined figure which advanced with them. timing every motion to theirs. Long before they crossed the street to the Trocadero be was convinced there was no mistake-the fellow, whoever he might be, was trailing them. Keith smiled grimly to himself, resolving that as soon as he had left the lady he would teach the spy 8 les son not soon to be forgotten.
 They barely entered the outer circle of the Trocadero lights. noting group Of men Lhronging about the doors, and hearing the sound of the band within, and then turned swiftly down the mar row dark alleyway leading toward the stage entrance Keith, having been shere before, advanced confidently, but Hope, her heart beating wildly, clung to his arm, scarcely venturing a word in reply to his whispered assurances. Fortunately they encountered no one, and Keith, feeling cautiously in the dark, easily succeeded in locating the opening to the vesubule. Listening intently he became convinced that no one occupied the little shed. He had intended to remain with the girl until the time came for her to emerge, but the remembrance of that figure dogging them all the way from the hotel now caused a change of plan. He held her hand closely clasped in his.
 Now, Hope, am going to leave you.' he whispered. and your own wit will have to carry you through. l know you will play your part all right. and it will be mine to wait for Chris tie, and give her some explanation of why Hawley failed to meet her as he promised. It will never do for her to suspect, until you have time to learn all possible. You are not afraid?"
 Yes. I am" clinging to him, but but am going through it just the same"
 The truest kind of courage, my girl Now slip inside. but hold the door ajar. Hawley will certainly be here within ten minutes. and you must join him at once. or else the other might appear. You can judge as to it's being him even in this darkness Goodbye
 The longing to clasp her in his arms, to speak the language of his heart, was almost overwhelming, yet the memc<y of that figure slinking along behind them, and the brief time