The Mena weekly star., 1911-08-24

"'F AoPih thAL IeuOW Will turn up huntin' her. ord loike ter take one slap at the spaIpane.a
 Fully convinced as to Mrs. Murphv,s goodwill, Keith slipped back into inc darkness, and returned with ina etrI lntroductions were superauous. as the mistress of the Occidental cared little regarding ceremony.
 An is this you. my dear9. sha burst out, endeavoring to curh her voice to secretive softness. "shure. Jack Keith has told me all about if an it's safe 1t Is yer goin' ter be here Come on in; Ofll give ye number 1orty-two, thet's next behint me own room, an we'll go up the back sthairs HID the young loidy, Jack, fer shure ye know the way"
 She disappeared, evidently with some hospitable purpose in view. and Keith, clasping the girls hand. under. took the delicate task of safely escort. Ing her through the dark kitchen, and up the dimly remembered stairs. Only word or two passed between them. but as they neared the second story a light suddenly streamed out through sAe opened door of & room at their left Mrs. Murphy greeted them at the landing, and for the first time saw the girls weary white face, her eyes filled with appeal, and the warm Irish heart responded instantly.
 "Ye poor little lamb: it's the bid ye want, an dhrap O whiskey. Jac.. Keith, why didn't ye till me she wsa done up wid the hard ride? Here. honey, sit down in the rocker till Oi get ye wee dhrink. It'll bring the roses back to the cheeks av ye." She was gone, bustling down the dark stairs, and the two were alone in the room, the girl looking up into his face, her head resting against the cushion. ed back of the chair. He thought he saw gimmer of tears in the depths of her lash-shaded eyes, and her round white throat seemed to choke.
 You will be perfectly secure here," he said. soothinsly, +and can remain as long as you please. Mrs. Murphy will guard you as though you were her own daughter. She is a bit rough, maybe, but big-hearted woman, and despises Hawley. She nursed me once through touch of typhoid--yes, by love-" glancing about in sudden recognition, land in this very room. too"
 Tho ofrI,o ofanoa raoIoraa o.-,x A. plain, neat furnishings, and the rather pathetic attempts at decoration, yet with apparently no thought for them.
 "You--you have not told me where you were going"
 He laughed. a little uneasily, as though he preferred to make light o1 the whole matter.
 Really, have hardly decided. tks world is so wide. and had no reasoA to suppose you interested
 But am interested,' resenting his nne of assumed indifference. T would not want to feel that our ac- quaintance was to wholly end now" !.
 Do you really mean that?"
 "Why should not? You have been a real friend to me; shall remember you always with a gratitude beyond words. I want you to know this, ana that--that I shall ever wish to retain that friendship
 Keith struggled with himself, doubt ful of what he had best say. swayed by unfamiliar emotions.
 You may be sure I shall never for get" he blurted forth, desperately, "and, if you really wish 1t, I'll certain ly see you again"
 T do.' earnestly.
 Then, I'll surely find way don't know now which direction we will ride. but I'm not going very far until I clear up that murder out wonder on the trail; that is my particular job Just now.s
 Before she could answer, Mrs. Mur. phy re-entered and forced her to drink the concoction prepared, the girl ac- cepting with smiling protest. The land lady, empty glass in hand. swept her eyes about the room.
 "Bedad. but the place looks betther than iyer Ofd belaved, wid the gyurl Dive got tindin to it. She's that lazy she goes ter slape swapin' the lure. Jack. would ye moind hilpin' me move the bid; shure, it's rale ma hogany. an so heavy 1t breaks me back intoirely to push 1t round"
 He took hold willingly enough, and the two together ran the heavy con trivance across the room to the posi- ton selected. Once leg caught in the rag carpet, and Keith lifted 1t out. bending low to get firmer grip. Then he held out his hand to the girl
 Tt is not going to be goodbye then, Miss Hope; I'll find you"
 She smiled up into his eyes, much of the weariIess gone from her face.
 T am going to believe that" she anr swered. gladly. because want to-"
 Mrs. Murphy fingered until his steps sounded on the stairs, as he slowly felt his way down through the dark ness.
 He do be moighty foine bye, Jack Keith" she said, apparently address ing the side wall. "Oi wish Old 8 knowed him whin oi was a gyurl; shure. it's not Murphy me noime'd be now, Orm t'inkin'."
 aff alnna fha eiri howed her head