The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-12-21
CHAPTER x.

peared on a low shelf, and Keith light
ed 1t, the girl returning the lamp to
Its former position on the front room
table. Investigation revealed a dozen
cartridges fitting the revolver, but no
ammunition was discovered adapted
to the sawed-off gun, which Neb had
already appropriated, and was drag
ging about with him, peering into
each black corner in anxious search.
The two were still busily employed at
this, when to their ears, through the
stiffness of the night, there came the
unexpected noise of splashing in the
water without, and then the sound of
q horse stumbling as he struck the
bank. Quick as flash Keith closed
the intervening door, extinguished the
dim fame Of the candle, and grasping
the startled negro's arm, hushed him
into silence.
Crouching close behind the door,
through crack of which the light
streamed, yielding slight view of the
interior, the plainsman anxiously
awaited developments. These arrivals
must certainly be some of those con-
nected with the house; there could be
little doubt as to that Nevertheless,
they might prove the posse following
them, who had CHANGED to stumble
accidentally on their retreat. In eth
er case they could merely wait, and
learn. Some one swore without, and
was sharply febuked by another voice,
which added an order gruff1y. Then
the outer latch clicked, and a single
man stepped within, Immediately clos
ing the door. Keith could not see the
girl through the small aperture, but he
heard her quick exclamation, startled,
yet full Of relief.
'Oh, is it you? l am so glad!"
The man laughed lightly.
1T is nice to be welcomed, although,
perhaps, after your time of loneliness
any arrival would prove a relief. Did
you think l was never coming, Chris
tie?"
Il could not understand" she re-
piled, evidently with much less en-
khusiasm, and to Keith's thinking, a
Dede resentful O. the familiarity, "but
harurally supposed you must be unex-
pectedly delayed"
well, l was" and he apparently
flung both coat and hat on a bench,
with the intention of remaining. 1.-THE
marshal arrested fellow for a muir
der committed out on the Santa Fe
Trail, and required me as a witness.
But the man got away before we had
any chance to try him, and l have
been on his trail ever SINCE
"A murder! Did you Imagine he
CAME this way?"
mot very likely; fact of it is, the
sand storm yesterday destroyed all
traces, and, as a result, we've lost
him. So l headed few of the boys
over in this direction, as 1 wanted to
relieve you of anxiety"
She was silent an instant, and the
man crossed to the fireplace, where
Keith could gain a glimpse of him.
Already suspicious from the familiar
sound of his voice, he was not sur
prised to recognize BLACK Bart" The
plainsman's fingers gripped the negros
arm, his eyes burning. So this gambler
and blackleg was the gentlemanly Mr..
Hawley, was he; well, what could be
his little game? Why had he inveigled
the girl into this lonely spot? And
what did he now propose doing with
her? AS he crouched there, <peering
through that convenient crack in the
door, Keith completely forgot his own
peril, intent only upon this new dis
covery. She came slowly around the
end of the table, and stood leaning
in the light of the lamp. For the first
time Keith really perceived its beauty,
it's fresh charm. Could such as she
be singer and dancer in a frontier con-
cert hall? And if so, what strange
conditions ever drove her into that
sort of life?
Isis Fred with your" she ques-
toned, doubtfully.
mo; he's with another party riding
farther west" the mans eyes survey
Ing her with manifest approval. you
are certainly looking fine tonight, my
girl. It's difficult to understand how
I ever managed to keep away from
you so long"
She flushed to the hair, her lips
trembling at the open boldness of his
tone.
IL prefer you would not speak
like that" she protested.
"And why not?" with light laugh.
Come, Christie, such fine airs are a
trife out Of place. II l didn't know
you were concert hall artist, might
be more deeply impressed. AS it is,
l reckon you've heard love words be-
fore now"
'Mr. Hawley, l have trusted you as
a gentleman. never came here ex-
cept on your promise to bring me to
my brother" and she stood erect be-
fore him. you have no right to even
assume that I am Christie Maclaire. -
Sure. not; don't assume. I have
seen, that lady too often to be mis-
taken. Don't try on that sort of thing
with mel don't take to 1t kindly.
Perhaps kiss might put you in bet
ter humor."
He took a step forward, as though
proposing to carry out his threat, but
the girl stopped him. her eyes burn
in0 with indianatiOn