Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-09-28

ming a faro game across there in the
Palace l cannot help wondering
what kind of business such fellow
rould possibly have with you, Miss
haclaire."
The woman's eyes flashed, harden
ing In their brown depths.
What right have you to ask?" she
began Indignantly. II am capable of
deciding my own affairs. AS have
told you l have never met Mr.. Haw-
ley. but | am not to be Influenced
against him merely by the denuncia-
hon 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 feelings" he said
gently, as she paused but would you
mind telling me the nature of those
papers,"
There was something in Keith's
lace which told of honesty, and In
spired confidence. Miss Macleire's
worldly experience had given her deep
Insight into the character of men, and
somehow, as she looked into the clear
gray eyes, she felt impelled TO answer,
a vague doubt of the unknown Haw-
ley In her mind
"They-they were papers to estab-
fish identity. He had discovered them
by accident: they have to do with an
Inheritance. Really that Is all | know.
FOR he wrote very briefly, stating it
would be safer to confer with me
personally-CnlyI imagine there is
large sum involved"
From who1c estate?"
"My grandfather's."
And his name was?"
"Why-why. MIR. Keith, actually
do not know. 1t may seem strange,
but-but cannot even tell the names
of my parents; cannot remember
either my father or mother Oh, do
not know why l should tell you all
this! Who are you, really? Why do
you ask me such questions"
He leaned forward, touched by the
woman's emotion.
Miss Maclaire," he said gravely Il
nm not prying into your life needless
ly. but am endcay oring to serve you
ns we'll as others. Havley may in
deed possess papers OF great value,
but if SO they were not found by &C.
cident, but stolen from the body of a
murdered man. These papers may
possibly refer to you, but If so Haw-
ley himself does not believe tho
has simply chosen you to impersonate
the right party because of your phys
lcal resemblance"
Resemblance to whom"
ITO young woman, Miss Hope
But how DO you know this? Why
should you be interested? Are you a
detective?"
mo, I am not detective, but
cannot explain to you my interest. l
am tn ng to serve you, to keep you
from ing drawn into a plot"
RAJ er to keep me from learning
the tn H. Mr. Jack Keith" she burst
'orth, rising 80 her feet Indignantly.
you are here trying 70 prejudice mo
against Mr.. Hawley. He is your ens-
my, and you have come TO me stab
bling 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. I don't care half SO
much about the money as DO to find
put who I am. II he can throw any
light on my early life, on my parent.
nge, shall be the happiest woman
In the world. am sorry told you
Rnything-but I am going to see him
Just the same. Perhaps he might tell
me something about you"
They were both standing the won-
ans eyes flashing angrily, defanuy.
her hands clinched. Keith, realizing
the false position into which he had
drifted hesitated to answer. He
meant to tell her the whole story and
urge her to cooperate with him in
learning the gamblers purpose. The
woman impressed him as honest at
heart, in spite of her life and environ
ment; she was not one whom swim
dler could easily dupe into becoming
tool
Miss Maclaire,' he began, de-
termined on his course, listen TO me
for just a moment. | am"
There was rap at the door. The
eyes Of both turned that way, and
then Keith backed slowly into ths
darkened corner beyond the window
his right hand thrust into the poke
Of his coat Miss Maclaire observed
the movement, her lips smiling, a rec
flush on either cheek. Then she
stepped across the room, and opened
the door. Framed against the blacl
background of the hall, his dark, rath
er handsome face clearly revealed al
he fronted the window, his black, au
dacious eyes fixed appreciatingly upoI
the lady, stood BLACK Bart" Hawley
He saw no one but her, realized M
other presence, had no thought excep
TO make a good impression. He wa
facing beautiful woman, whom h
sought to use, and he bowed low, ha
In hand.
Miss Maclaire," he said. pleasantly
~ trust you will pardon all that ha
occurred between US. and permit m
TO explain"
II do not understand" she RI
piled. puzzled by these unexpecte
words. There has nothing occure
between US, | am sure, which require
explanation. Have we met before'"
The man smiled. Seeing the won
ma face in the shadows he was SIT