Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1911-10-11
CHAPTER ix.-(continued.)

Il have been . perfect BRUTE" he ac-
knowledge frankly. with no thought
except for myself. Hunger was my
master, and I ask your forgiveness.
Miss Maclaire."
Her eyes smiled.
Il am 30 very glad to have any one
here-any one-in whom I feel even
a little conference.-the nothing else
greatly matters. Can you both eat
and listenv'
Keith nodded, his eyes full OF inter
est. searching her face.
Whoever I may be. Mr.. Keith. and
really that seems only of small i'm
portance, I came to Fort Larned seek
ing some trace OF my only brother.
whom We last heard from there. where
be bad fallen into evil companionship.
On the stage trip I was fortunate
enough to form an acquaintance with
man who told me he knew where
could meet Fred. but that the boy was
hiding because OF some trouble he
had lately gotten into. and that I
should have to proceed very carefully
so as not TO lead the officers to dis
cover his whereabouts. This gentle
man was engaged in some business at
Carson City. but he employed a man
20 bring me to this place. and prom.
ised 10 get Fred. and meet me here the
Following day. There must have been
some failure In the plans. for have
been here entirely alone now for three
days. IT. has been very lonesome. and
AND iva
Perhaps ought not to have come. and
lam not certain what kind of a place
this Is l was so afraid when you
came, but am not afraid now"
You have no need to be-" he said
soherly, impressed by the innocent
candor Of the girl. and feeling thank
nli that he was present to aid her. IT
could not wrong one OF the South"
My father always told me I could
trust a Southern gentleman under any
circumstances. Mr.. Hawley was from
my own State. and knew many of our
old friends. That was why felt such
unusual confidence in him. although
ne was but travelling acquaintance"
Mr.. HawleyF
The gentleman whom | met on the
Htsge"
oh, yes; you said he was In bust.
ness In Carson City. but don't seem
IN remember any one OF that name"
He was not there permanently.
only TO complete some business deal"
And your brother? may possibly
have known him"
she hesitated an instant, her eyes
dYnnninO until
the long lashes.
He-he was rather wild boy. and
ran away from home to enlist In the
army. But he got into bad set and
and deserted. That was part OF the
trouble which caused him TO hide. He
enlisted under the name OF Fred Will
loughbJ. Dir. Hawley told me this
much. but I am afraid he did not tell
me ALE
And he said you would meet him
hereT'
Keith gazed about the bare SIR.
roundiDgs wonderlngly. What was
this place, hidden away In the midst
of the desert isolated in a spot where
not even Indians roamed. Could n he
n secret rendezvous OF crime. the
headquarters OF desperadoes. OF cat
tie rustlers. OF the highwaymen OF the
Sante Fc Trail-a point Ia which they
could ride when hard pressed. Ger.
tain Of hiding here In safety? He no
gan TO suspect this. but. N so. who
then was this Hawley, and with what
object had he sent this girl here ?
Every way be turned was TO confront
mystery, 70 face a new puzzle. What.
ever sos might be--eVen the music
bail singer he beieved-she had been
tnvelgled here lnnocently enough.
Yes, she replied, he said that this
vas one Of the stations OF a big ranch
on which Fred vas empIoyed. and that
bo would certainly DO here within a
day or two"
You met Hawley on the stage
coach? How did you become acquaint
3D.
We we're alone for nearly nifty
miles," her voice faiterIng slightly.
'and--and he called me what you aid {"
Christie Maclaire 30
Yes; he-he seemed to think he
knew me, and I needed help so much
that ] let him believe so I thought
q could do no harm. and then. when
4 found he octuslly knew Fred. dldut