Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-09-14
!: AfALE or THE PLAINS

Then you arc not here for any
purpose! to meet with any one?"
mo- we wero lost, and had gone
into camp up above. when we discov
cred your light"
Where do you come FROM
Keith hesitated Just an instant, yet
falsehood was never easy for him, and
he saw no occasion for any deceit
now.
Carson City"
What brought you here7"
I'VE started for the Bar X ranch
down below, on the Canadian; got
caught In a sand -etorm, and then just
drifted do not know within twenty
miles Of where we are"
She drew a deep breath Of uncon.
cealed relief.
Are you alone?"
The negro and Ives: and you
haven't the slightest reason to be
afraid Of us--we're square"
She looked at him searchingly. and
something in Keith's clean.cut face
seemed to bring reinsurance, conf
dence in the man.
~ am not afraid" she answered,
table. only It is so lonely here, and
you startled me, bursting in without
warning. But you look all right, and
am going to believe your story.
What is your manner"
'Keith-Jack Keith"
"A cowman?"
"A little of everything, ! reckon"
touch Of returning bitterness In the
tone. "A plainsman, who has punched
cattle, but my last Job was govern
ment scout"
You look as though you might be
more than that" she said slowly.
/ The man flushed, his lips pressing
/ tightly together.
! We'll, IL may have been" he con-
/ fessed unwillingly. II started out all
! ~'o't. hut somehow reckon I Just
went adrift. It's q habit in this coup-
try"
Apparently those first words Of COM
ment had left her lips unthinkingy, for
she made no attempt to reply; merely
stood there directly facing him, her
clear eyes gazing frankly into his
own. He seemed to actually see her
now for the first time, fairly-a sup
pie, slender figure, simply dressed.
with wonderfully expressive brown
eyes. perfect wealth Of dark hair, a
clear complexion with slight olive
tinge TO 1t, strong, intelligent face.
not strictly beautiful, yet strangely
attractive, the forehead low and broad,
the nose straight, the lips full and In
clined to smile. Suddenly vague re-
membrance brought recognition.
Why. l know you now
Indeed" the single word note Of
undisguished surprise.
Yes; | thought you looked oddly
familiar all the time. but couldn't for
the lifo OF me connect up. You're
Christie Maclaire."
Am II" her eyes filled with curl
osity.
"Of course you IRE. You needn't
be afraid of me II you want it kept
secret. but know you Just the same
Saw you at the 'Gaiety In Indepen
dence, maybe two months ago. Went
three times. mostly on your account
You've got great act, and you car
sing too"
She stood in silence, still lookin'
f1xedly at him. her bosom rising art
falling, her lips parted as II TO speak
Apparently she did not know what q
do, how to act. and was thinking
swiftly.
"Mr. Keith" she said. at last in Dc
} cision. II am going to ask you TO BIC
; that all QUITO forget that you ecsI
suspect me OF being Christie Macisire
OF the Gaiety"
why, certainly but would you c,
: pIain?"
There is little enough to explain.
ia gutlcient that l am here alone wit
you. Whether wish to OF not, l al
) compelled to trust myself to your pre-
lection. You may call me Christi
haclsire, or anything else you please
you may even think me unworthy r.
4 speo$, but you possess tho face o.
= gentleman, and as such l am going t
trust you-l must trust you. VIII yo
y accept my confidence on thes
J. terms?-
8 Keith did not smile, nor NOV
is Weak from hunger and fatigue,
"a loaned YEARLY against the wa
Nevertheless thot simple. womanly a
IL peal Awoks ell that was strong ar
s, sacrificing within him, although h,
le words we're 80 unexpected that, Z,
'g the moment he failed to realize the
10 full purport Finally he stralghtent
ID up.
d. II accept any terms you desire
Id he gasped weakly, lift you "
ID only give ons return"
O. "One return ?-what?"
m Food; wo have eaten nothing Z
70 sixty hours"
H. Her face, which had been SO whit
u flushed to the hair. her dark eyes 30
a. sning.
~ why, OF course; sit down. I Dug
20 to have known from your face. The
- is plenty here-such as 1t is---only y
49, must wait q moment"
lis
OF CHAPTER TX
The Girl Of tho Cabin.
,is He saw Neb drop down before I
he blazing fireplace, and curl up like
nd tired dog, and observed her take
lamp. open the door into the 9th