The Mena weekly star., 1911-11-09
CHAPTER XXI.
Falrhain and Christie.

Ut ldlTDdln ndu originally joined
Pc searching party, fully as eager as
eth himself to run down the rene
ace Hawiey, but after an hour OF re
ult,ess effort, his entire thought shift
to the woman they had left alone
IT the hotel. He could not as yet
liy grasp the situation, but he re
nained 'oyal to the one overpowering
ruth that he loved Christie Macaire
airbains nature was rough, orig
nal yet loyal to the core He had
wed all his life long in army camps
nd upon the frontier and his code
# honor was extremely simple. II
ever once occurred TO him that Chris.
les profession was not OF the high
st, or that her life and associations
n any way untitled her for the future
TO his mind she was the one and only
woman His last memory of her, as
the little party of men filed out Of
hat room. haunted him until he fin.
ally dropped out of the search and
drifted back toward the hotel.
1t WAS a late hour, yet 1t was hard
iy likely the woman had retired. Her
excitement, her interest In the pursuit
would surely prevent that; moreover
he was certain he saw a light still
burning in her room, as he looked UP
from the black street below. Never
theless he hesitated, uncertain OF hid
reception. Blum. emphatic, never
afraid to face man in his life, his
heart now beat fiercely as he endeav-
ored to muster the necessary cour-
age Far down the dark street soma
roysterer fired shot, and sudden fear
lest he might be sought after profess
sionally sent the doctor hurriedly
within, and up the stairs. He stood,
just outside her door. quaking like Z
child the perspiration beading his
forehead, but a light streamed
through the transom. and he could
plainly hear movements within. At
last, In a sudden spasm of courage,
he knocked softly. Even In that noisy
spot she heard instantly, opening the
door without hesitation. aud standing
fully dressed within. She was no
longer a discouraged, sobbing girl,
but an aroused. intent woman, into
whose pathetic, lonely life there had
come a new hope. She appeared
younger, fairer, with the light SHIN
mering in her hair and her eyes smil-
ing welcome.
"Oh, Doctor" and her hands were
thrust out towards him, Il am glad
you have come. Somehow, | thought
you would, and | have wanted so to
talk to some one-to YOU"
ITO me! Do you really mean that.
Miss Christie?'
Yes. really mean that, you great
bear of a man." and the girl laughed
lightly, dragging him into the room
and closing the door. Why, who else
could | expect to come tonight? You
were the only one really good to me.
You-you acted as II you believed in
me all the time"
81 did, Christie; you bet did,
broke in the delighted doctor, every
kerve tingling.@ I'D a. cleaned out
that whole gang If you'd only said
so, but reckon now 1t was better to
let them tell ali they knew Il was
like a thunder storm clearing the at
mosphere."
"Oh, 1t was. indeed Now know
who am--who am! Isn't that sim
ply glorious? Sit down, Doctor Fair
balm. there in the big chair where
can see your face. | want to talk, talk
talk; want to ask questions, a thou
sand questions; but 1t wouldn't do any
good to ask them of you, would I'll
You don't know anything about my
family, do your"
Not very much. | am afraid. only
that you have got an almighty pretty
half-sister." admitted the man, EN-
phatically, land old Waite possesses
the vilest temper ever given hu
man being. He's no blood kin to you
though"
mo, but he is awfully good under
meath, isn't he?"
Got a heart OF pure gold, OF
| Waite Why, I've seen him cry like
q baby over one of his men that go
hurt"
Have you known him. then. for
long while?"
Ever since the Spring OF '61
was brigaded with hin all through thu
war, and had TO cut bullet or x
out OF his hide hesore Il ended. l
there was ever a fight WiIlis Waite
| ,,.o. .,ra ~ oct hte ehare lie cf,uit
swear some then, hut he improves
since. and I reckon row he could Ike
ly claim the champ ous hip
did did you know my mothe
aIso2" and Christie leaned forward
her eyes suddenly grown misty
haven't even the ightcst nemor.
OF her"
The doctors hear was tender, az
be was swift 10 respond aehinl
forth and grasplng the hand neeres