Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-10-12

she became perceptlDly cooler as the
moment OF departure approached.
with cheeks aname 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
p,ouant, Keith could not disguise his
admiration.
Am I Christie Maclaire?" she asked
laughingly.
Sufficiently go to fool our friend,
he returned, but am ready to sweA1
that lady never looked 60 charming"
"a compliment. and spoken as
though you really meant 1t"
Have I 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; merely talk
lightly to keep my courage up. You
can have no idea how afraid I am
Then you are truly IN actress, for
you appear the picture Of enjoyment.
But we must go, or Rawley will be
there before US, and thus spoil all our
plans"
They passed out through the office
together seeing no one familiar 10
either. Hope keeping her face par
TALLY concealed. The east side OF the
street was less frequented than the
other, having fewer saloons along Its
way and they chose It's darkness. AS
No. al &c
tier life caused Keith to glance be-
hind before they had progressed
block. and he was thus made aware
that they were being followed. Con-
versing lightly, and without word
to alarm the girl, he managed to OBJ
serve every movement OF the dmly
outlined figure which advanced with
them, timing every motion to theirs.
Long before they crossed the street
to the Trocadero he was convinced
there was no mist ake-the fellow,
whoever he might be. was trailing
them. Keith smiled grimly to himself,
resolving that as soon as ne had left
the lady he would teach the spy les
son not soon TO be forgotten.
They barely entered the outer circle
Of the Trocadero lights. noting a group
Of men thronging 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
there before, advanced confidently but
Hope. her heart beating wildly, chung
to his arm. scarcely venturing 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 vestibule. 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 logging
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. |
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 II will never do for her 20
suspect until you have time to learn
all possible You are not afraid"
Yes, | am" clinging to him, but
but I am going through It Just the
same"
, The truest kind OF courage, my
E girl Now slip inside, but hold the
door ajar Hawley will certainly be
here within ten minutes. and you must
/ ton him at once, or else the other
might appear You can Judge as tC
, It's being him even IN this darkness
: Good bye"
. The longing to clasp her in his
8 arms, to speak the language Of hi:
:. heart was almost Overwhelming, we
d the memory OF that figure sinking
r along behind them. and the brief tint
Q before Hawley's probable appearance
for he would leave the theater at th'
. conclusion Of Miss Maclare's act, re
- strained all demonstration. This wa
q moment for action. not for words O
k0Ve, no delay SnOulu ndIdIu the SuN
cess OF their undertaking He hear
the slight creak OF the door as n
~ girl slipped within the conceaimen
. of the vestibule, and then he glide
away through the darkness with tn
stcalthy silence of an Indian. Their
y. was no one in the alley-way, Whic
was narrow and easily explored ou
, the glow from the front window
- plainly revealed the shadow of ma
- near the entrance, and Keith siippe
}! up toward him. hugging the side c
u the building for concealment. prepare
: to resort to harsh measures AS n
reached out gripping the astonishe
e loiterer by the collar, they stared a
y one another Ia surprise. and the griE
Il ping hand as instantly released II
~ hold.
A. You. Fairbain, What the devil doe
10 this mean What are you spying o
us for"
~ Clearly taken aback, yet not great
d,sturbed. his eyes showing pugna c
>. Gus and hts Jaw set. the Doctor rubbe
his throat where Keith's knuckles ha
"a left red welt
. "pamE you, think I'm the one
oak for an explanation" he growle,
"she said she was not going with yo,
n and now you are around here toSethe
haI A