Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-10-05
CHAPTER XIV.



Let his future be what 1t might.
JACK Keith would never again forget
the girl who held the door open tor
ais passage with one hand, her other
c!asped In his. Interested before, Yet
forcing himself into Indifference now
thaC he knew who she really was, the
man made full surrender 1t was a
struggle that kept him from clasping
the slender figure in his arms, and
pouring forth the words of tenderness
which he sternly choked back. This
was neither the time, nor the place,
yet his eyes must have spoken, for
Hopes glance fell aud her checks
grew crimson.
Il do not need to pledge you to re-
turn this time, do ~ she questioned,
her voice trembling
NO." he answered, nor any time
again"
The hall was deserted, but a few
men loitered in the Office. Keith
recognized none OF the faces, and aid
not stop to make any inquiries of the
clerk. 1t was growing dark, the lights
already burning, and from the plash-
ing OF drops on the window, it must
be raining outside. Hawlcy would
surely have ended his call upon Miss
Maclaire long before this, and left the
hotel. However interesting his COM
munlcation might have proven, she
must fill her evening engagement at
the Trocadero, and would require time
Tor supper and rest. AS to the result
OF that interview there could be little
doubt. Providing the gambler pos
sessed the proper papers he would
have small difficulty In convincing the
Girl that she was indeed the one
sought. Keith had probed ttlciently
INTO her mind to feel assured that her
inclination was 10 side with Hawley
/ Under all the circumstances this was
natural enough, and he did not blame
her
lie glanced iuto the barroom as he
passed, not in any anticipation, but
merely from the vigilance which be-
comes second nature upon the from
tier. Hawley stood leaning against
the bar, where he could see any one
passing through the hall The eyes
OF The TWO men met, but the gambler
never moved. never changed his at
titude, although Keith noted that his
right hand was hidden beneath the
skirts of his long coat. The plains
man drew back, facing his enemy, un-
til he reached the outer door. There
Ifrt t,l ats'- do RI into
ter face ike an invitation, but a mem
DRY OF the girl he had just left, and
her dependence upon him, caused
Keith to avoid an encounter. He
would fight this affair out in differ
cnt WaE. As tie door opened and he
slipped forth into the gloom lie brush
Cd against man apparently just en-
terinG. The CLEAN OF light fell for an
instant upon the face of the other-!t
was Scotty with the red moustache.
They had been watching for him
tben-what for? HaWley on the in.
side, and this man Scott without, were
waiting to determine when he left
the hotel; would probably dog his
footsteps to discover where he went.
Keith loosened his revolver, so as TO
lie assured he could draw quickly, and
slipped back into the shadow OF the
steps, his eyes on the door of tho
hotel There was a cola, drzzly rain
falling, the streets almost deserted,
app airing sodden anu miserable
where the lights shone forth through
saloon windows. One or Two men
seeking supper coat collars turned Up
and hats drawn low over their eyes
climbed the rlckety steps and went In,
but no one came out Perhaps he
was mistaken as TO the purpose of
those fellows; they may have desired
mercy TO know when ne left, or
SCOTS return just at that moment
might have !oeu an acCident. To be
sure, the hote! possessed back exit
but he could not cover both ends OF
the building, ard must take his
chances. 1t was too wet and disagree.
able to remain crouched there, now
that 1t was evident there was no In
tention OF following him. With hand
on the butt OF his gun, suspicious and
watchful, yet with scarcely faster
beat to his heart, Keith Strengthened
up and began splashing his way
through the mud down the street. He
knew where Willoughby would be
most likely found at this hour-with
crCnies at the "Tenderfoot' ana he
meant to discover the boy, and make
him confess TO Hope the truth. Mat
tcrs had now reached a point where
longer delay was dangerous.
Sheridan was seemingly dead, the
long street silent gloomy, black, ex-
cept for those streams of saloon light
shining across pools OF water. He
stumbled over the irregular ground.
occasionally striking patches of wood
en- sidewalk or strip of cinders. Here
and there tent tapped in the wind,
which drove the drizzle into his face ;
somewhere ahead a swinging sign
moaned as If in agony. A few wan
derers ploughed through the muck,
am uncertain shapes appearing and
vanishing in the gloom He had gone
DOCK and over the struggle against
the elements leaving him forgetful Of
all else, when man reeled out OF
some dimly lit shack to his right, and
staggered drunkenly forward a few
feet In advance He could barely dis
t1nguish the fellows's outlines, giving
little thought to the occurrence. for
the way was unusually black along
there, the saloon opposite having