The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1911-09-29
CHAPTER x.-(continued.)

"A murder! Did you imagine he
eame this way7'
Not very likely; fact of 1t is, the
sand storm yesterday destroyed all
traces. and. as a result, we've lost
him. So | headed a few of the boys
over In this direction, as l wanted to
relieve o Of anxiety"
She was silent an instant, and the
man crossed to the fireplace, where
Keith could gain a glimpse Of him.
Already suspicious from the familiar
sound OF his voice, he was not sur
prised to recognize BLACK Bart" The
plainsman's fingers gripped the ~negro's
arm, his eyes burning. So this gambler
and blackleg vas the gentlemanly Mr..
Hawley, was he; we'll, what could be
bis little game? Why had he inveigled
the girl into this lonely spot? 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
covery She came slowly around the
end OF h table. and stood leaning
against it. her face clearly revealed
in the light of the lamp. For the first
time Keith really perceived its beauty,
its fresh charm. Could such as she
be singer and lancer in a frontier con-
cert hall? And If so, what strange
conditions ever drove her into that
sort of life?
Isis Fred with your" she cues.
toned, doubtfully.
mo; he's with another party riding
farther vest the mans eyes survey
ing her with manifest approval. You
are certainly looking fine tonight, my
girl. It's difficult to understand how
ever managed to keep away from
you SO long"
She flushed to the hair, her lips
trembling at the open boldness of uis
tone.
Il prefer you would not speak.
like that" she protested.
And why not?" with a light laugh.
"Come. Christie, such fine airs are a
triie out of place. If l didn't know
you were a concert hall artist, | might
be more deeply impressed. AS 1t Is,
I reckon you've heard love words be-
fore now"
"Mr Hawley. l have trusted you as
q gentleman. | never came here ex-
cept on our promise to bring me to
my brother" and she stood erect be-
fore him. You have no right to even
assume that | am Christie Maclaire."
Sure not; I don't assume. I have
nAnn that 1nlv boo afta. - L. -
taken. Don't try on that sort of thing
with mel don't take to it kindly.
Perhaps a kiss might put you In bet
ter humor."
He took a step forward, as though
proposing to carry out his threat, but
the girl stopped him. her eye burn
ing with Indignation.
How dare you'll" she exclaimed pas
%sionately, all fear leaving her in sud-
den resentment. you think me alone
here n helpless; that you can insult
me at your pleasure. Don't go too
far. Mr.. Hawley. | know what you
are now. and 1t makes nc difference
what you nay think Of me, or call me;
you'll find me perfectly able to defend
myself"
"Oh, indeed" sneeringly, you are
melodramatic; you should have beer
an actress instead of a singer. But
you waste your talent out here on me.
Do you imagine | fear either you, or
your precious brother? Why, l could
have him hung tomorrow"
She was staring at him with wide
open eyes, her face white.
"What-wbat do you mean? What
has Fred done!"
He was cold and sarcastic.
THAT makes no difference; 1t ID
what | could induce Iaen to swear
he had done. It's easy enough to
convict In this country. II you only
know how. , simply tell you this. 90
you won't press me too hard. Puri.
tanism is out Of place west Of the Mis-
souri,, especially among ladies' of your
profession. Oh, come, now, Christie,
don't try to put such airs on with me
] know who you are, all right, and
can guess why you are hunting after
Fred Willoughby. l pumped the boy
and got most Of the truth out of him"
"You-you have seen him, then
since yor LETT me-" she faltered. be