Semi-weekly herald., 1911-06-26

Keith Backed Into the corner-His
Hand In His Pocket.
upon me here in Sheridan during my
engagement, Is that your mission 7
Were you sent by him7 or are you Mr.
Hawley9"
Il disclaim all relation. Miss Mao
laire, even friendship. You. of course
know who this individual is7"
No" the short monosyllable was
not encouraging. His messages were
OF a business character"
so | presumed yet ono likes 10
know something even OF the person he
does business with. | have been az.
Quainted with Hawley for several
years. and have never been aware OF
any honorable business he has ever
engaged In. Ho is professional
gambler, known on the frontier as
Black Bart last night he was run.
ming faro game across there In the
Palace cannot help wondering
what kind OF business such a fellow
could possibly have with you, Miss
Maclaire."
The woman's eyes flashed, harden.
ing in their brown depths.
What right have you to ask?" she
began Indignantly. ~ am capable Of
deciding my own Affairs. AS | have
told you | have never met Mr.. Hnw.
ley, but | am not 10 be Influenced
against him merely by the denuncia
ton OF an avowed enemy. He has
written me of something he has dis.
covered which Is OF deep personal In
terest to me. and has promised to tell
me the details, as well as place within
my hands certain necessary papers,
Il appreciate your feelinEs." he said
gently, as she paused, but would you
mind telling me the nature of those
pspsrs?"
There was something In Keith's
face which told of honesty, and in
spired confidence. Miss Msolaire's g
worldly experience had given her deep
insight into the character OF mon. and
somehow, as she looked into the clear
gray eyes. she felt impelled to answer,
Z vague doubt of the unknown Haw-
Icy In her mind.
"They-they were papers 10 estab-
lish identity. He had discovered them
by accident; they have TO do with an
Inheritance. Really that rs all know,
for he wrote very briefly. stating 1t
would be safer TO confer with me
psrsonally-onlyI I Imagine there IL q
large sum involved"
From whose estate7"
MY grandfather"
And bis name was7"
Why-why, Mr.. Keith. actually I
DO not know. It may seem stranse,
but-but | cannot even toll the names
Of my parents; cannot remember
either my father or mother. Oh. do
not know why | should tell you all
thisi Who are you. rsally7 Why do
you ask me such questions7"
He leaned forward. touched by the
woman's emotion.
Miss Maelairo," he said grayeIy. Il
am not prytng into your life needless
ly. but am endeavortng to serve you
a. we'll as others. Hawley may in
deed possess papers Of great value,
but II so they were not found by ao-
0ident, but stolen from the body OF 4
murdered man. These papers may
possibly refer to you, but II so Haw-
ley himself does not believe it-Shs
has simply chosen you to impersonsts
the right party because OF your phys
ioal resemblance"
Resemblance 40 whom7"
ITO a young woman. Miss Hope"
But how do you know this? Why
should you be interested2 Arc you a
detective?"
NO, | am not a detective, but
cannot explain to you my interest. I
am trying to serve you, to keep you
from being drawn into a plot"
Rather to keep me from learning
the truth. Mr. Jack Keith" she burst
forth, rising to her feet indiGnaAtly.
You are here trying 10 prejudice NE
against Mr.. Hawlsy. He 10 your enc
my. and you have come to me stab
bing him In the back for revenge.
That Is your interest Well, am go
ing to see the man, and consider what
he has to say. ! don't care half 80
much about the money as | do 10 md
out who | am. II he can throw any
light on my early life, on my parent.
age, shall be the happiest woman
in tho world. ! am sorry told you
anything--but | am going to see him
Just the same. Perhaps he might tell
me something about you"
They were both standing. the wom-
ans eyes flashing ansrily. defantly
her hands clinched. Keith, realisins
the false position into which be had
driftsd, hesitatsd to answer. He
meant 70 tell her the whole stsEy. anl