The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1911-08-17

sort of trick could he be working
trying to make you acknowledge
/ Christie Maclaire as your sister,
Willoughby did not answer. shifting
uneasily about on the bed Keith
waited, and at last the boy blurted
out:
oh. II wasn't nothing much. told
/ him something when ] was drunk
once, that thought maybe might
have stuck to him. Odd he should
make that mistake, too. for ! showed
him Hopes picture. Bart's schemer'
| and didn't know but what he might
have figured out trick. though
| don't see how he could. II wasn't no
more than a pipe dream. reckon
Where did you meet Hope? Back In
Missouri"
One thing was clearly evident-the
boys faith In his sister. II he was
| to be rightly Influenced. and led BACK
to her, he must have no suspicion
aroused that her life was any diner
ent from what Il had been before he
left home. Besides If Keith hoped 10
gain any inkling of what Hawley's
purpose could be, he must win the
/ confidence of Willoughby. This could
not be done by telling him of Hopes
present life. These considerations
! flashed through his mind, and as swift
ly determined his answer.
oh, I've known her some time. Not
long ago did her a service for which
she is grateful. Did you know she
was out in this country searching for
you?"
out here? In Kansas
Sure; that isn't much OF trip
for spirited girl. She got 1t in her
head from your letters that you were
in trouble. and set out to find you
! and bring you home She didn't tell
me this. but that is the way heard II.
II was for her sake | came in here.
Why not go to her, Willoughby, and
then both Of you return to Missouri"
The sullenness had gone out OF the
boys face; he looked tired. discour-
aged.
Where is Hope?" he asked.
Fort Larned, ] suppose. She went
10 Carson City first
Well, that settles it." shaking his
head. You don't suppose could go
browsin round Larned, and not get
snapped up do you? They don't chase
deserters very far out here, but that's
the post skipped from, and they'd
Jug me all right. Besides. I'm damned
II I'll go back until get stake.
want to see a fellow first"
What fellow
We'll, it's Hawley. II you want to
know so bad. He said II would come
here and wait for him he'd put me on
TO good thing"
The boy fdgeted along the edge OF
the bed, evidently half ashamed OF
himself, yet obstinate and unyielding.
Keith sat watching his face. unable to
evolve any means OF changing his de-
| cision. Hawley's influence Just at
present was greater than Hopes, be.
cause the lad naturally felt ashamed
TO go sinking home penniless and de-
feated His pride held him to Hawley,
and his faith that the man would re.
deem his promise. Keith understood
all this readily enough. and compre.
| hended also that If BLACK Bart" had
any use for the hoy it would be for
some criminal purpose. What was It?
Was there Il deeply laid plot back OF
! all these preparations involving both
| Willoughby and his sister? What
was 1t hIawiey was scheming about so
carefully. holding this boy deserter
In one hand, while he reached out the
other after Christie Maclaire? Surely,
the man was not working blindly; he
must have a purpose in view. VII
loughby had acknowledged he had told
the fellow something once when he
was drunk-about his family history,
no doubt. for he had shown him
Hopes picture. What that family
secret was Keith had no means OF
guessing. but Hawley. the moment he
saw the face on the cardboard, had
evidently recognized Christie Maelaire
had thought OF some way in which
what he now knew could be turned
TO advantage. The few scattered facts
which Keith had collected all seemed
TO point to such a Observation-Disclosures
had sent the boy to Sheridan where
he would be out Of sight. with orders
to wait for him there and the prom.
ise OF stake" 10 keep him quiet
Then he had gone to Independence
and Topeka seeking after Christie
Maclaire. Evidently he meant TO keep
the two apart until he had gained
from each whatever Il was he
sought But what could that be?
What family secret could Willoughby
have blurted ont in his cups, which
had so stimulated the gamblers wits?
Two things combined TO cause
Keith to determine he would uncover
this rascality-his desire to repay
Ha"ley, and his interest in the girl
rescued on the Salt Fork This gossa.
mer web of intrigue into which he had
stumbled unwittingly was nothing 10
him personally; had it not involved
both Hawley and Miss Hope. he would