Semi-weekly herald., 1911-07-03
CHAPTER XIII.
An unsxpeeted Mse,ina

Hawley into confession of his MIR.
pose. 1t was easy for him to con.
ceive what would be the final result
OF this interview between the artistic
gambler and Miss Maclaire. In spite
OF the vague suspicion OF evil which
the plainsman had implanted within
the woman's mind. the other possessed
the advantage, and would certainly
improve 1t. All conditions were de.
cdedly in his favor He merely
needed to convince the girl that she
was actually the party sought and
she would go forward. playing the
game he desired, believing herself
right. totally unconscious of any
fraud. The very aimnlicity of it rem.
dered the plot the more dangeroug
the more difficult to expose. Hawley
had surely been favored by fortune in
discovering this singer who CHANGED
to resemble Hope so remarkably. and
who, at the same time, was in such
ignorance as to her own parentage.
She would be ready to grasp at a
straw, and, once persuaded as to her
identity and legal rights, could hence
forth be trusted implicitly as an ally.
Realizing all this and comprehend
ing also how easily Hawley would win
her confidence and overcome his
warning by denouncing him as fugl.
tive from Justice charged with murder
the temptation to return and fight It
out then and there became almost
overpowering. He had no fear of
Hawley indeed physical fear had
scarcely place in his composition,
but he was not as yet sufficiently for
titled with facts for the seeking of
such an encounter He could merely
guess at the truth, unable to produce
any proof with which to meet the
gamblers certain denial.
man came in through the office,
and began climbing the stairs. He
was almost at the landing before
Keith recognized him or the other
glanced up.
"Ah-seen her. suppose?"
4 Yes" returned Keith, not thinking
1T worth while to mention the lady's
denial of having sent for him. 81 have
Just come from there"
"Hum-thought you'd be through by
this time-ffne looking girl amt she?
believe I'll run in and chat with her
myself
Il would advise you to select some
other time. Doctor" said the younger.
driy, "as the lady has a visitor at
present
"a visitor?" his face rosy, his
shrewd eyes darkening. "Ah, indeed!
Of the male sex?"
II Judge so-'Black Bart Hawley."
Good Lord" SO startled his voice
broke Did he see you?"
Rather; l backed him up against
the wall with gun while | made my
ndieu."
But what brought him there? Are
they acquainted?"
Don't ask conundrums, Doctor. He
may be your rival with the fair lady
for all l know. If he is, my sympa-
thies are all with you. Only wouldn't
try to see Miss Christie Just now; I'd
wait for a clearer field. Hawley is
probably not in the best of humor."
Fairbain stared into the face of the
speaker, uncertain whether or not he
was being laughed at
Reckon you're right" he aoknowl-
edged at last Tired, anyhow-been
out all night-thought I'd like to see
her again, though-finest looking
woman I've met since ! came West
remarkable eyes-well, III go along to
bed-see you again tomorrow, Jack"
Keith watched the sturdy figure
stamp heavily down the hallway,
loose boards creaking under his posi-
tive tread, and smiled to himself at
the thought that he might have, in
deed, become truly interested in the
music hail singer. Somehow, the doc
tor did not harmonic with the con-
ception of love. or fit graciously into
the picture Still, stranger matIngs
had occurred, and Cupid does not ask
permission before he plays pranks
with hearts. Keith turned again to-
ward the stairs, only to observe
woman slowly cross the office and
commence the ascent. She was in the
shadow her face even more deeply
shaded by her hat, yet he stared at
her IN amazement-surely, 1t was
Miss Maclaire Yet how could It be2
He had left that person scarcely five
minutes before in "26," and this stair
way was the only exit. His hand
grasped the rail his heart throbbing
strangely. as a suspicion of the truth
crossed his brain. Could this be
Hope? Could it be that she was here
also7 As her foot touched the land
Ing, she saw him, her eyes lighting up
suddenly In recognition. wave of
color flooding her cheeks.
why, Captain Keith" she exclaim-
ed, extending her gloved hand frankly.
you have been TO my room. and were
going away. am SO glad came in
time"
81 hardly thought to meet you" he
replied, retaining her fingers in his
grasp. When did you reach Sheri-
dam"
Only last night had no idea you
were here until Doctor Fairbain
chanced to mention your name. Then
/ at once begged him to tell you how
exceedingly anxious | was to see you
You see. | was sure you would cope
II you only knew. / really thought
you would be here this morning, and
remained in my room waiting, but
there were some things | actually had
to have | wasn't out ten minutes so