The Mena weekly star., 1911-08-31
Continued from Last Tssue.)
CHAPTER xv.
Again Christie MacIalre.

scattered army posts. Reliable men for such service were in demand. The restlessness of the various Indian tribes, made specially manifest by raids on the more advanced settle. ments, and extending over constant ly widening territory, required contin- uous interchange of communication between commanders of detachments. Bold and reckless spirits had flocked to the frontier in those days follow. ing the Civil War, yet all were not of the type to encourage confidence in military authorities. Keith had al- ready frequently served in this ca- pacity. and abundantly proved his Worth under rigorous demands of both endurance and intelligence, and he could feel assured of permanent em. ployment whenever desired. Not a few of the more prominent officers he had met personally during the late war-including Sheridan, to whom he had once borne a flag of truce-yet the spirit of the Confederacy still lin. gered in his heart; not in any feeling of either hatred or revenge, but in an unwillingness to serve the blue uni. form, and a memory of antagonism which would not entirely disappear. He had surrendered at Appomattox, conquered, yet he could not quite ad. just himself to becoming companion. in-arms with those against whom he had fought valiantly for four years. Gnp1n nf hn Is ,,f still smarted. A natural soldier, anx. ious to help the harassed settlers, eager enough to be actively employed, he still held aloof from army connec- tions except as a volunteer in case of emergency.
 Just now other considerations caused him to desire freedom. He had been accused of murder, impris. oned for 1t, and in order to escape, had been compelled to steal horses, the most heinous crime of the from tier. Not only for his own protecs ton and safety must the truth of that occurrence at the Cimmaron Crossing be made clear, but he also had now a personal affair with "Black Bart" Have ley to be permanently settled. They had already clashed twice, and Keith intended they should meet again.
 Memory of the girl was still in his mind as he and Neb rode silently forth on the black prairie, leading the extra horse behind him. He endeav- ored to drive the recollection from his mind, so he might concentrate 1t upon plans for the future, but somehow she mysteriously wove her own personali. ty into those plans, and he was ever seeing the pleading in her eyes. and listening to the soft Southern accent of her voice. Of late years he had been unaccustomed to association with women of high type. and there was that touch of the gentlewoman about this girl which had awakened deep interest. Of course he knew that tn her case it was merely an tnhsrt lance of her past, and could not truly represent the present Christie Ma claire of the music halls. However fascinating she might be, she could not be worthy any serious considera- tion Tn spite of his rough life the social spirit of the old South was i'm planted in his blood, and no woman or that class could hold him captive Yet some way. she refused to be banisheo or left behind Even Neb must have been obsessed by a similar spirit. for he suddenly observed:
 Dat am sutt'nly mighty fine gal, Massa Jack I ain't seen nothin' to compare wid her since 1 quit oP Vir- ginla-'dced l ain't.'
 Keith glanced back at his black satellite. barely able to distinguish the fellows dim outlines.
 You think her lady. then2" he questioned, giving thoughtless utter ance to his own imagination.
 ." Deed l doesl" the thick voice somewhat indignant '1 reck'n l knows de real quality when l sees It. rse 'sociated wid quality white folks befo'."
 But. Neb. she's singer in dance halls"
 T don't believe it, Massa Jack"
 Well. wouldn't If could help it. 1hS uOh | scSHu ilho that AAtot D~N recognized her as soon as got her face in the light. She was at the Gaiety in Independence. the last time was there Hawiey knew her ts;s, and called her by nsme."
 Neb rubbed his eyes, and slapped bis pony's flank. unable to answer. yet Htill unconvinced.
 'I reckn both ob yer might be mis- took" he insisted doggedly.
 Not likely" and Keith's brief laugh was not altogether devoid of bitter ness. We both called her Christie Maclaire, and she didn't even deny the name: she was evidently not proud of 1t. but there was no denial that she was the girl"
 Dat wasn't like no name dat you called her when we was ridin'.'
 NO: she didn't approve of the oth- CT. and told me to call her Hope. but | reckon she's Christie Maclaire all right"
 They rode on through the black, si- lent night as rapidly as their tired horses would consent to travel. Keith led directly across the open prairie, guiding his course by the sta1s, and purposely avoiding the treils. where rome suspicious eye might mark their