The New era-leader. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1911-1912, 1911-12-15

WV NJ ~
Keith Backed Into the corner-His
Hand In His Pocket.
upon me here In Sheridan during my
engagement. Is that your mission?
Were you sent by him? or are you MI.
Hawleyf"
u disclaim all relation. Miss Mac.
'lairs, even friendship. You, of course,
know who this individual is?"
NO" the short monosyllable was
not encouraging. Ellis messages were
OF q business character"
$50 l presumed, yet one likes to
know something even Of the person he
does business with. have been ac-
Quainted with Hawley for several
years, and have never been aware Of
any honorable business he has ever
engaged In. He is a professional
gambler, known on the frontier as
Black Bart last night he was run
ming q faro game across there In the
Palace l cannot help wondering
what kind of business such a fellow
could possibly have with you, Miss
Maclaire."
The woman's eyes flashed, harden
ing In their brown depths.
What right have you to ask?" she
began Indignantly. Il am capable of
deciding my own affairs. AS have
told you l have never met Mr.. Haw-
ley, but | am not to be Influenced
against him merely by the denuncia-
ton of an avowed enemy. He has
written me of something he has dis
covered which Is of deep personal in
terest to me, and has promised to tell
me the details, as well as place within
my hands certain necessary papers"
II appreciate your feelings" he said
gently, as she paused, but would you
mind telling me the nature OF those
papers"
There was something in Keith's
face which told of honesty, and In.
spired confidence. Miss Maclaire's
worldly experience had given her deep
insight into the character of men, and
somehow, as she looked into the clear
gray eyes, she felt impelled to answer,
q vague doubt of the unknown Haw.
ley In her mind.
"They-they were papers to estab'
lish identity. He had discovered them
by accident; they have to do with an
inheritance. Really that is all I know
for he wrote very briefly, stating II
would be safer to confer with me
personally-only I imagine there Is q
large sum involved"
From whose estate?"
my grandfather's."
/ "And his name was?"
! "Why-why, Mr.. Keith, actually
do not know. 1t may eem strange
but-but l cannot even tell the names
OF my parents; cannot remember
either my father or mother. Oh, l d.
not know why I should toll yeu al
this! Who are you, really! why d.
you ask me such questions?"
He leaned forward, touched ~ thu
woman's emotion.
Miss Maclaire." he said gravsly. =
am not prying into your life needless
II, but Inn endeavoring to serve 20,
as well as others. Hawley may IN
deed possess papers Of great value
but II 10 they were not found ~ &C
cident, but stolen from the body Of
murdered These papers ma,
possibly refer to you. but II 20 Haw
ley himself does not believe It'll.
has simply chosen you to impsrsonat'
the right party because Of your phys
tcal resemblance"
Resemblance to whomf"
ITO . young woman. = Miss Hope
"But how do you know thisf VIII,
should you be interested? Are you
detective?"
INC, / am mot i d~etsctye, but
! cannot explain to Jon my ihf4re6E
]. am trying TO serve you. 70 keep 70,
from being drawn into : plot
Rather to keep M from learning
the truth. Mr.. Jack Keith" she burs
forth, rising to her feet Indignantly