The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1911-11-02

will guard you as though you were her
own daughter. She is bit rough.
maybe. but a big-hearted woman. and
despises Hawley She nursed me
once through a touch Of typhoid-yes.
by Jove." glancing about in sudden
recognition. land In this very room.
too"
The girls glance wandered over the
plain, neat furnishings. and the rather
pathetic attempts at decoration. yet
with apparently no thought for them.
"Yon-you have not told me where
you were going"
He laughed. LITTLE uneasily. as
though he preferred to make light of
the whole matter.
Really | have hardly decided the
world is SO wide. and had no reason
to suppose you interested"
But | am Interested" resenting his
tone Of assumed Indifference. Il
would not want to feel that our ac-
quaintance was to wholly end now"
DO you really mean that?"
why should not? You have been
a real friend to me: shall remember
3
words. want you to know this. and
that-that | shall ever wish to retain
that friendship"
Keith struggled with himself. doubt
full of what he had best say. swayed
by unfamiliar emotions.
You may be sure shall never for
get" he blurted forth. desperately.
"and. If you really wish it. I'll certain
ly see you again."
81 do" earnestly
Then. I'll surely find way. | don't
know now which direction we will
ride, but I'm not going very far until
] clear up that murder out yonder on
the trail; that is my particular job
just now"
Before she could answer, Mrs. Muir
ply re-entered and forced her to drink
the connection prepared, the girl ac-
cepting with smiling protest. The land
lady. empty glass in hand. swept her
eyes about the room.
"Bedad. but the place looks betther
than liver Ord behaved. wild the gyurl
Owe got tindin' to it. She's that
; lazy she goes ter Shape swapin' the
flure. Jack. would we moind hilpin
me move the bid; shure. it's rale ma
hogany. an SO heavy 1t breaks me
back intoirely to push 1t round"
He took hold willingly enough. and
the two together ran the heavy con-
trivance across the room to the posi-
ton selected. Once a leg caught in
the rag carpet. and Keith lifted it out.
bending low to get a firmer grip. Then
he held out his hand to the girl.
ut is not going to be goodbye then.
Miss Hope: I'll find you"
She smiled up into his eyes. much
of the WEAKNESS gone from her face.
II am going to believe that" she an
swered. gladly, because | want to-"
Mrs. Murphy fingered until his steps
sounded on the stairs. as he slowly
felt his way down through the dark
ness.
He do be moighty foine bye. Jack
Keith" she said. apparently address
ing the side wall. "Oi wish Ord a
knowed him whin OF was gyurl;
shure. it's not Murphy me noime'd be
now, Dim tinkin"
Left alone. the girl bowed her head
on her hands. hot tear stealing down
through her fingers. AS she glanced
up again. something that glittered on
the floor beside the bed caught her
eyes. She stopped and picked 1t up.
holding the trinket to the light. star
ing at 1t as though fascinated. 1t was
the locket Keith had taken from the
neck of the dead man at Cimmaron
Crossing. Her nerveless fingers press
ed the spring, and the painted face
within looked up into her own. and
still clasping It within her hand. she
sank upon her knees. burying her face
on the he'd
Where did he get that?' her lips
kept repeating. Where did he ever
get that"
CTO RE CONTINUEDJ