Semi-weekly herald., 1911-06-19
CHAPTER XVIII.
interviewing wiIIoushby.

Coolly, yet without in the least
comprehending how best to proceed.
Keith drew toward him tho only chair
In the room. and sat down. Miss
Hope-nore widely known as Christie
Maclaire-had claimed this drunken
lad as her brother, but, according to
Hawley. he had vehemently denied
any such relationship Yet there must
be some previous association between
the two, and what this was the plains
man proposed to discover. The prob
lem was how best to cause the fellow
to talk frankly-could he be reached
more easily by reference to the girl
or the gambler? Keith studying the
sullen. obstinate face confronting
him, with instructive antagonism over
his intrusion. swiftly determined on
the girl
1t was not very nice of me to come
in on you this way" he began, apollo
getcally, but you see | happened to
know your sister"
MY sister? Oh, guess mott"
Yes. but | do" throwing a con.
hdsnce into his tone he Was far from
feeling, Miss Hope and l are friends. &"
The boy sprang to his feet, his face
flushed
oh. you mean Hope? Do you know
her? Say, thought you were giving
me that old gag about Christie
Maclsire."
Certainly not; who is she?"
That's more than | know; fellow
came to me at Carson, and said he'd
met my sister on a stage west OF To
peka. l knew he was lyin', because
she's home over in Missouri. Finally,
l got 1t out of him that she claimed to
be my sister, but her name was
Maclaire. Why don't even know
her and what do you suppose she
ever picked me out for her brother
for?"
He was plainly puzzled, and perfect.
ly convinced It was all a mistake.
That his sister might have left home
since he did, and drifted West under
an assumed name, apparently never
occurred to him as possible. To Keith
this WAS the explanation, and nothing
could be more natural, considering
hS%work. yet he did not feel like
shattering the lads loyalty. Faith in
Perhaps the fellow who told you,"
he hazarded blindly. speaking the frst
thought which came to his mind, had
some reason to desire to make you
think this Maclaire girl WAS your sis
ter"
The suggestion caused him to laugh
At first; then his face suddenly sob
cred, as though new thought had 90
CURED to him.
Damn me, no. 1t couldn't be that"
he exclaimed. one hand pressing his
head. He couldn't be workin' NO
trick Of that kind on me-"
Whom do you mean?"
"A fellow named Hswley." evasivs-
~. THE man who claimed to have
met my sister"
"'Black Bart Hawley?"
The boy lifted his head again. his
syes filled with suspicion.
Yes. If you must know: he's .
gambler all right, but he's stuck TO
ne whom l was down and out You
how himf"
Just 4 little" carolessly; but what
sert OF = trick could he be working
trying to make you acknowledge
Christie Msclaire As your sister?'
WillouGhby did not answer. shifting
snsssily about on the bed. Keith
waited. and at last the boy blurted
cut:
"oh, 1t wasn't nothing much. told
hin something when l was drunk
snce, that | thought maybe might
have stuck to him. Odd he should
make that mistake, too for l showed
hin Hopes picture, Bart's a schemer.
and l didn't know but what he might
have figured out a trick, though l
don't sec how he could. 1t wasn't ~
more than pipe dream. | reckon
Where did you meet Hope? Back in
Missouri"
One thing was clearly evident-ths
Soys faith in his sister II he was
70 bs rightly influenced, and led back
70 her. he must have no suspicion
aroused that her life was any differ
snt from what It had been before he
left home. Besides II Keith hoped to
gain any inklirg of what Hawleys
SUPPOSE could be- he must win the
confidence of Willoughby This could
not be done by telling him of Hopes
present life. These considerations
flashed through his mind, and as swift
" determined his answer.
"Oh, I've known her some time. Not
long ago did her a service for which
she is grateful Did you know she
was cut In this country searching for
you1"
Out here, In Kansas"
Sure; that isn't much of q trip
Tor . spirited girl. She got 1t In her
head from your letters that you were
In trouble. and set out to find you
and bring you home. She didn't tell
ne this. but that is the way heard It.
II was for her sake came in here.
Why not 70 to her. Willoughby. and
thea both Of you return to Missouri"
The sullsnness had gone out Of the
boy's face: he looked NrsA. Aisoour-
aged
"Whsrs 10 Hope?" he ashed.
Fort Larned. suppose. She went
70 Carson City first"
We'll. that settles It," shaking his
head. You don't suppose | could 20
browsin' round Larnod, and not get