Semi-weekly herald., 1911-05-29
CHAPTER X.
Mr.. H.wiey Reveal. hImssif.


ed 1t. the girl returning the lamp to
lts sef Mer position on the front room
table. Investigation revealed q dozen
cartridges hitting the revolver. but ne
ammunition WRs discovered adapted
To tho sAwsd-oi1 gun, which Neb had
already appropriated, and WAS drag
stnS about with him, peering into
each black corner In anxious search
Tho two were still busily employed at
stiffness Of the night. there came the
unexpected noise of splashing In the
water without, and then the sound Of
X horse stumbling as he struck the
bank. Quick as Hash Keith closed
the intervening door. extinguished the
dim fame OF the candle, and Erasptng
the startled neEro's arm, hushed him
into silence.
CrouchinE close behind the door.
through a crack of which the Hight
'strsamed. yielding slight view of the
interior. the plainsman anxiously
awaited Developments. These arrivals
must certainly be some Of those con
nected with the house; there could be
little doubt as to that Nevertheless,
they might prove the posse following
them. who had chanced to stumble
accidentally on their retreat In eth
er case they could merely wait, and
learn. Some one swore without, and
was sharply rebuked by another voice
which added an order grufly Then
the outer latch clicked, and a single
man stepped within, Immediately clos
Ing the door. Keith could not see the
girl through the small aperture. but he
heard her quick exclamation. startled
yet full OF relief
"Oh. IL 1t you? I am SO glad,"
The man laughed lightly.
1T Is nice to be welcomed. although.
perhaps. after your time OF loneliness
any arrival would prove a relief Did
you think | WAS never coming. Chris
tier
Il could not understand" she re
piled, evidently with much less en-
thusiaas3, and to Keith's thinking, q
shade resentful of the familiarity. but
pGttsdly delayed"
We'll. l was" and he apparently
hung both coat and hat on a bench,
with the intention OF remaining. THE
marshal arrested = fellow for 4 mur
der committed out ON the Santa Fe
Trail, and required me AS q witness
But the man got away before we had
any chance to try him, and | have
been on his trail ever since"
.Aar a -
prsms this way?.'
Not very likely fact of 1t IL, the
saad storm yesterday destroyed all
traces. and. as q result. we've lost
him. 30 l headed . few OF the boys
over In this direction AZ | wanted 70
relieve you OF anxiety"
She WAS silent an instant. aud the
man crossed to ths fireplace. where
Keith could gain a glimpse of him.
Already suspicious from the familiar
sound OF his voice. he WAS not sur
prissd to recognize BLACK Bart" The
plainsmsn's fingers gripped the negro's
arm, his eyes burning. SO this gambler
aud blAckleg WAS the gentlemanly Mr..
HRwley, was he; well. what could be
his little game? Why had he inveiglsd
the girl into this lonely spotr And
what did he now propose doing with
her? As he crouched there. peering
through that convenient crack In the
door. Keith completely forgot his own
peril. intent only upon this new dis
coysry. She came slowly around the
end OF the table, and stood leaning
against 1t. her face clearly revealed
In the light OF the lamp. For the frst
time Keith really perceived its beauty.
Its fresh charm. Could such ~ she
be singer and dancer In a frontier con
cert hallf And II so. what strange
conditions ever drove her into sha
sort OF life,
ah-is Fred with your" she ques-
toned. doubtfully
No. he's with another party riding
farther west" the mans eyes survey
ing her with manifest approval. You
: 'firl. It's dificult to understand how
! ever managed to keep away from
you 30 long"
She flushed To the hair. her lips
trembling at the open boldness Of his
tone.
IL prefer you would not speak
like that" she protested.
And why not 7" with a light laugh.
Come. Christie. such fns airs are .
trtns out of place. II didn't know
you were q concert hall artist, I might
hs more deeply impressed. A. It IL.
l reckon you've heard love vsrds BE-
fore now"
Mr.. Hswlsy, ! have trusted you a.
q gentleman. l never came here sx-
cept on your promise TO bring me to
my brother" and she stood erect be-
fsrs him. You have no right to even
assume that l am Christie Naciaire. =
Sure not: don't assume. have
seen that lady too often to BE- mis-
taken. Don't try On that sort Of thing
WI. mel don't take 10 II kindly.
Perhaps . kiss might put psa IN ~.
ter humor."
He took . SEP forward. a. though
proposing to carry out his threat but
he GIRL stopped him. her syss busar
lAS with Indignation.
How dare you'll" she exclaimed pas-
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