The New era-leader. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1911-1912, 1911-12-22

glanced up.
"Ah-seen her, I supposed"
Yes" returned Keith, not thinkino
It worth while to mention the lady's
denial Of having sent for him. Il have
just come from there"
"Hum-thought you'd be through ~
this time-ine looking girl, amt shsf
believe I'll run In and chat with her
myself"
4 would advise you to select some
other time, Doctor" said the younger.
drily. "as the lady has . visitor q
present"
"A ~visitor?" his face rosy, his
shrewd eyes darkening. "Ah. indsedi
OF the male sexf"
Il Judge Setback Bart Hawley."
Good Lord" 30 startled his voice
broke. did he See your"
Rather; I backed him up against
the wall with Z gun while I made ny
adieu."
But what brought him theref Are
they acQuainted?"
Don't ask sconundrums, Doctor. He
may be your rival with the fair lady
for all know. II he II, my sympa-
thies are all with you. Only I wouldn't
try to = Miss Christie just now; I'd
wait for a clearer field. Hawley -
probably not In the best of humor."
Fairbain stared into the face Of the
speaker, uncertain whether or not he
was being laughed at.
RnoHnn xyn,,p~o ~{~hkD ~ AAhA>-1
edged at last. Tired, anyhow-been
out all night-thought I'd like to sec
her again, though-fnest looking
woman I've met since l came West
remarkable eyes-well, I'll 60 along to
bed-see you again tomorrow, Jack"
Keith watched the sturdy figure
stamp heavily down the hallway.
loose boards creaking under his posi-
tive tread. and smiled to himself ut
the thought that he might have, In
deed. become truly Interested IN the
music hall singer. Somehow, the doc
tor did not harmonize with the con-
ception Of love, or At graciously into
the picture. Still. stranger matings
had occurred, and Cupid does not ask
permission before he plays pranks
with hearts. Keith turned again TO-
ward the stairs, only to observe .
woman slowly cross the Office and
commence the ascent. She was In the
shadow, her face even more deeply
shaded by her hat, yet he stared 1t
her in amazement-surely, It was
Miss Maclaire! Yet how could II be?
He had left that person scarcely I'VE
minutes before In 49," and this stair
way was the only exit. His hand
grasped the rail, his heart ~throbbing
strangely, as a suspicion of the truth
crossed his brain. Could this be
Hope? Could 1t be that she was here
also? As her foot touched the land
Ing, she saw him, her eyes lighting up
suddenly In recognition, a wave Of
color flooding her cheeks.
why. Captain Keith" she exclaim-
ed, extending her gloved hand frankly,
you have been to my room, and were
going away. am so glad l came In
time"
Il hardly thought to meet you" he
replied, retaining her fingers in hts
grasp. When did you reach Sheri-
dam"
<Only last night. 1 had no idea you
were here until Doctor Fairbain
CHANGED to mention your name. Then
I at once begged him to tell you how
exceedingly anxious l was to see you.
You see, I was sure you would come
II you only knew. I really thought
you would be here this morning, and
remained In my waiting, but
there were some things I actually had
to have. l wasn't out ten minutes, so
you mustn't think I sent you q mes
sage and then forgot
The nature Of the mistake was be-
coming apparent, and Keith's gray
| eyes smiled as they looked into the
! depths Of the brown.
"Your message had rather an anus
ing result" he said. "as the doctor In
| formed me that Miss Christie Maclaire
was the one who desired my pres
ence."
miss Maclaire!" her voice exhibit
ing startled surprise. "Why-why-
oh, / did forget; I never told him diff
sferently. Why, It vas most ridicu-
lous." She laughed, white teeth
cleaning between the parted red lips,
yet not altogether happily. Let me
explain, Captain Keith. for really /
have not been masquerading. Doctor
Fairbain and / arrived upon the same
train last evening. He Is such q fun
~ man. but was very nice, and offer-
/ ed to escort me to the hotel. I remem-
| Der now that although he introduced
himself, l never once thought to men,
tion to him my name. The town was
very rough last night-the company
had paid on tho graders I was told
ana there wal no carriage. so We we're
compelled to walk. Ill never cav
such . mob Of drunken men. One
came Keeling against me, and brushed
aside my veil SO as to zee my face.
The doctor struck him. and then the
marshal came up-you know him, Bill
Hickock-and the impudent fellow