Semi-weekly herald., 1911-07-03

terestingg Did you admire her very
mueh?"
Keith's eyes lifted to her face. his
ears quick to detect tho undsrtone
in her voice.
Interestingly yes, for was ssekins
after information. and met with some
success. As to the other question,
am not sure whether l admire the lady
or not. She Is bright, pretty. and
companionable. and In spite OF her
profession, at hsart. believe, = good
woman, But really, Miss Hope, was
too deeply immersed In my purpose
TO give her personality much oonsia-
Grafton. Among other things We spoke
OF you"
OF me? whyY'
81 told her something Of our a.
ventures together; of how both Haw-
ley and l had been confused. She waa
anxious 10 learn who you were, but
unfortunately, I have never, even ys<,
heard your name"
You have not?'
No; | left you at Fort LArnsd be-
lieving you Christie Maclaire-sup-
posing 1t your stage name, OF course
and was confirmed In tAis belief by
finding in the holster of the saddle
you had been riding an envelope bear
ing that address,"
Il remember: 1t contained the note
the man brought to me from HawleyI
he had written 1t that way" She
crossed the room. sinking down into q
chair facing him And you have
actually confused me with Christie
Maclaire all this whilsf Have never
known who | was?"
He shook his head.
Il told you to call mo Hopej that In
my name-I am Hope Waite"
"WaiteW he leaned forward, star
tied by the -"not--not~~
Yes" she burst in, holding out her
hands. clasping the locket and this
was my fathers; where did you get
tit"
He took the trinket from her, turn
Ing 1t over in his fingers. Little by lit
tie the threads of mystery were be-
ing unrayeled, yet, even now, he could
not see very far. He looked up from
the locket into her questioning face.
Did / not tell you? No; then 1t
was an oversight. This was about the
throat of one of the men | buried at
Cimmaron Crossing. but-but, Hope,
1t was not your father"
Il know" her voice choking slight
ly. Mrs. Murphy found that out,
that is why l am here | heard my
father came to Sheridan, and l wanted
you to help me find him"
He was thinking and did not answer
at once, and she went on In some
alarm.
DO you know anything about him.
Captain Keith? Where is he? Why
is he here2 Don't be afraid to tell
me-"
He pressed the locket back into her
hand retaining the latter, unresisted,
within his own.
Il have not seen your father, Hope.
but he was certainly here few days
ago, for Fairbain met him. They were
together in the army. | am going to
tell you all l know-it seems to be a
tangled web but the ends must be
somewhere, although, confess. l am
all at sea"
He told 1t slowly and simply. bring
ing forth his earlier suspicion, and
how he had stumbled upon facts ap-
parently confirming them. He related
her fathers robbery, his loss OF vaIu-
able papers, and the conversation be-
tween Hawley and Scott which led to
the suspicion that these same pa
pers had fallen into the hands
of the former. and were the
breathless with interest her widely
opened eyes filled with wonder. As
he concluded speaking she burst
forth
But don't understand in tho least,
Captain Keith. Why did this man
Hawley send me to the Salt Fork7"
He thought he was dealing with
Christie Maclaire. He had some rea-
son for getting her away, getting her
where he could exercise influence over
her."
"Yes-yes, but who 10 Bhsf'
THAT is what makes the matter so
hard to unravel She doesn't even
know herself Hawley is going TO
take advantage OF her ignorance in
this respect, and convince her that
she is the person he wishes her to
represent-but who is tho personf n
we knew that We might block tho
game"
Both sat silent, striving to figure
out some reasonable explanation.
DO you know of any special papers
your father carried?" he asked.
NO; none outside his business
agreements"
Has any one ever disappeared con-
neoted with your familyY Did you
have an older sister?"
Fred and were the only children.
Why should you ask that question: ?"
Because something of that nature
would seem to be the only rational ex-
PLANTATION. Your brother must have
told Hewley somethins-some family
seoret-whioh he felt could be utilized
to his own advantage. Then he saw
your picture, and was Immediately re-
minded of the remarkable reeem-
blanoe between you and Christie
Maclaira Evidently this discoy0rY