The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-11-02

""ee' anu neaNily Duilt man wear
Sg brown beard. closely trimmed.
| You'd better acknowledge IT,"
Waite snapped out, with Quick
glance at the newcomer. 1T will make
1t all the easier for you. / tell YOU
this is the sheriff. and we've got you
both dead to rights"
But" she urged, why should be
arrested? | have done nothing"
You're an adventures damn
adventuress-lIawley mistress, prob.
ably-a-"
Now, see here. Waite" and Fah
balm swung himself forward, you
drop that Miss Maclaire is my friend
and II you say another word I'll smash
you, sheriff or no sheriff"
Waite glared at him
You old fool" he snorted, what
have you got to do with this2H
I've got this to do with. you'll find
the woman is to be treated with re.
spect or I'll blow your damned OBJ.
stinate head off
The sheriff laid his hand on Waites
shoulder.
Come" he said, firmly, this is no
way to get at II. We want to know
certain facts, and then we can pro.
coed lawfully. Let me question the
woman"
The two older men still faced one
another belligerently, but Keith saw
Christie draw the doctor back from
between her and the sheriff.
You may ask me anything you
please" she announced, quietly "a
am sure these gentlemen will not fight
In my room"
Very well. Miss Maclaire 1t will
require only a moment How long
have you known this man Hawley?"
Merely few days-since arrived
in Sheridan"
But you were In communication
with him before that"
The pleasant voice and quiet de.
meanor of the sheriff seemed to yield
the FRI confidence and courage.
Yes, he had written me two OF
three letters"
You met him here then by appoint.
ment?"
lie was to cone to Sheridan, and
exp'a to me more fully what his let
tiers had only limited at"
you possessed no previous knowl
edge of his purpose?"
Only the barest outline-details
were given me later"
'Will you tell us briefly exactly
what Hawley told your"
The girls bewildered eyes wandered
from face to face, then returned to
the waiting sheriff.
"May-may | sit DOWN." she asked
Most certainly; and don't be afraid,
for really we wish to be your friends
She sank down into the chair, and
even Keith could see how her slender
ments silence.
Believe me, gentlemen" she began,
falteringly, IF there is any fraud, any
conspiracy. have borne no conscious
part In 1t. Mr.. Hawley came to me
saying dying man had left with him
certain papers, naming one, Phyllis
Gale. as heiress to very large estate
in North Carolina, left by her grand
father in trust He said the girl had
been taken West, when scarcely two
years old, by her father in a At OF
drunken rage, and then deserted by
him in St Louis"
"You-you saw the papers?" Waite
broke In,
Yes, those that Hawley had; he
gave them to me to keep for him."
Bhe crossed to her trunk, and came
mack, MANILA envelope in her hand.
Waite opened II hastily, running his
eyes over the contents.
THE Internal scoundrelr he ex-
claimed, holly. These were stolen
from me at Carson City"
Let me see them" The sheriff
ran them over, merely glancing at the
endorsements.
Ja as you represented. Waite,
he said, slowly "A copy of the viii,
your commission as guardian, and
memoranda Of Identification. Wen.
Miss Maclaire. how did you happen to
be so easily convinced that you we're
the lost girl?"
Mr.. Hawley brought me a picture
which he said was of this girls half
sister the resemblance was most
startling. This, with the fact that !
have never known either father os
mother or my real name, and that my
earlier life was passed In st. Louis,
sufficed to make me believe he must
be right"
"You-you-" Waite choked. lean
Ing forward You don't know your
real manner"
mo. do not" her lips barely form
ing the words. THE woman who
brought me up never told me-
"Who-who was the woman"
"A Mrs. Raymond-Sue Raymond
she was on the stage, and died in
Texas-San Antonio, | think"
Waite swore audibly. his eyes never
once deserving the girls face.
"Hawley told you to say that?"
mo, he did not" she protested
warmly. 1T was never even mention
ed between us--at least, not Sue Ray
mond's name. What difference can
that maker"
He stepped forward. one hand flung
out, and Fairbain sprang Instantly be-
tween them, mistaking the action.
Hands off there. Waite" he com
handed. sternly Whatever she says
goes"
You laundering old idiot" the 9th