The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-08-23

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CHAPTER XVI.
\ Chance csNvsrsation.
TIE opportunity thus 20 unexpected.
b AFFORDED was not one 10 Be waited.
and Keith accepted Il with swift de<er-
ninaton- The expression In the wom-
ans face was scarcely ono OF vel
come. Jet his purpose was sufficiently
serious 70 cause him to ignore this
With easy confidence In himself.
II am. indeed. most fortunate TO dis
cover you alone. Miss Maclaire," he
saad. avoiding her eyes by a swift
glance over the table. "and evidently
af time when you are only beginning
your meal May Join your
She hssitatsd for an instant, debat-
ing with herself. and a quickly de-
eiding on disasresabie tactics.
Il presume this iS q public table,
and ] consequently have little choice
IN the matter. n you insist." she re-
Dued. her voice more civil than her
vordA -Stin. Mr.. Keith, I am not
accustomed to associatins with GRIM
analsls
He smiled. holding his temper in
check. moro than ever determined to
vim.
Then. possibly. you may rather
Welcome Q new diversion. can a.
sure you our criminals out here are
tho most interesting portion of our
population ! wish might have your
psTmission."
Standing there before her. bare
heaAsd. HE slightly tanned face strong
end manly. HE gray eyes filled with
hursoe. Miss Maclaire recognized
aOsin that hs was not Of the COM
snec herd. and the innate coquetry Of
hsr nature obtained mastery. What
harm eeaiA Il DO for her 10 chat with
In fee hah an hourf II was better
ohAn eating . lonely meal, and. BE-
o1es. she might learn something Of
value 70 report 70 Hawley. Her own
>yss brighssned. The slignt frown ois-
appearing. "
"Yoa are certainly sa illustration Of
yeur theory" she said pleasantly. II
anAu have 70 say ZEE, but really, did
~ suDpcss you would enjoy being
sanked snoog that class."
He drew out . chair. and saf down
sscing her. leaning slightly forward
spoo the Intervening tabia
Nor would I. only I recognize you
- not comprehend. The source q
your information 10 q BIT polluted.
huss Haciairs- There ere those whose
0ood opinion DO not seek. and you
should not form your decisions on the
unsupported testimony OF q personal
enemy"
-oh. indeed" rather resent,ns the
vsrds. and already rsgretfui Of Me-
compliance. Surely I have a. much
soasoo 70 trust my informant @ I
nevs yoa- He. Il least has proven
eimssn . friend
Z wish could sosi aa fully sssure1
q that - you do" hs returned honest
". Il would then have every tempta-
uon TO msddle furshsr taken oway
from ma Do you realize that my In
ssress In very largely upon your 90
eountr'
oh. no." laughing. II COULDN'T be-
ueve that I'll have heard Il whis-
percd II might be because Of the other
gfri."
The other girii- IN complete sur
pFise az this swift return.
-
saaned the upper hand. Miss Hope
Some more OF Mr.. Hawiey's fan
cses. he retorted. perpIexed that so
much should be suspected. "Have you
seen herr"
Why. OF course. am a woman.
Ar. Keith. with all the natural curi-
esity Of my sex. In this case I had
special reason 10 be interested. One
docs not meet her counterpart every
day
The resemblance between you n
certainly most striking"
-Sufncienuy So" she said slowly.
her eyes on his face. TO abundantiy
confirm Ia my mind the truth OF all
mat has been told me"
Tho waiter approached with the or.
aers. and the two remained In silence
until he had deposited his load upon
the table. and departed. She was
watching the face opposite through
lowered iashes that veiied her eyes.
but Keith was first TO break tho still
ness.
I wtsh might be told what that
vas-
To what do you refer7" apparent
~ forgetful as TO where their oonver-
sation had been broken.
TO Hawley's proposition"
NO doubt" her lips smiling. but
you have come TO the wrong market.
Mr.. Jack Keith"
yet" he inaiasod earo..x,.. s,s 49,.