Semi-weekly herald., 1911-07-17
tCopyright. A c. MCCLURE = Co. lslo7

ting there. ''If be only knew / was
here she exclaimed wearily. at
night be so different but. oh, we are
all Of us Just cropping In the dark"
hen Keith turned to his chance meet
ing with Miss MaclaIre and repeated
carefully their conversation, dwelling
particularly upon the few admissions
which had slipped through her lips.
These did not seem important to eth
er, although they treasured them up
and talked them over Then, having
exhausted the topic silence fell be
tween them. Keith asking the privi-
lege Of lighting a cigar Hope. after
watching him apply the match. think
ing what fine face he had as the
ruddy flame brought It forth with the
olearness of q cameo, leaned back,
drawing aside the semblance to lace
curtain, and staring forth. without see
ing, into the street
Somehow, 1t was hard for her to full.
ly realize the situation. ana how close
ly It affected her. The swiftly passing
events the complication arising so
suddenly, apparently out OF nothing.
left her feeling as though she must
surely awake from dream. She could
not comprehend what it was all
about; the names Bartlett and Phyl-
lis had no clear meaning. they repre-
scented nothing but shadows; and this
other woman-this music hall singer
what could there be in common be-
tween them? Yet there must be
something- ng-somethinF Of vital import
auce to her father-somethlng which
had already cost her brothers life
That was the one thing which made 1t
seem IN actuality-whlch brought It
ome TO her as rugged fact. But for
ihat-and Kelth-Keith sitting there
teiorc her-she would have doubted it
all And yet even Keith had come
Into her life so suddenly, so unexpect-
cdly, as to leave her da2ed and un.
certain that she extended her hand
end touched him. az though to make
sure Of his actual presence.
what is 1t, Hope?"
"0h, nolhing-nothing," her voice
breaking in a little sob. 1T is so silly,
but / was just wondering If you vera
real-everything seems so impossible.
] cannot bring my mind to grasp th@
eituaucn."
Hle did not smile, but only took the
cropping hand into both of his own.
81 think / understand. little girl
he said gravely. You are totally un-
used to such life. Almost without >
moments warning you have been
plunged into a maelstrom OF adventure.
and IRE all confused It is different
with me-since the first shot at Sum.
ter my life has been one OF action.
and adventure has grown to be tho
stimulus I need, and upon which I
thrive. But assure you. pressing tho
soft hand warmly, Il am real"
"of course know that; It makes
me glad to know it, If could only
do something myself, and not just sit
here, It would all become real enough
to me"
She rose suddenly to her feet, clasp.
ing her hands together, her face
changing with new animation.
why couldn't I? am sure l could.
Oh. Mr. Keith, It has Just come to mo
how can help"
He looked at her questioningly.
thinking Of her beauty rather than Of
what she said.
"Do-do I really appear so much
like-like that woman2" she asked
anxiously
Very much. indeed, excepting for
the slight difference In age"
That would never be noticed In tho
dark, or a poor light. Am the same
height?"
Practically yes"
And my voice?-could you distin.
guish me from her by my voice?"
II might; yet probably not, unless
my suspicious were aroused. What Is
It you are thinking about?"
She took n deep breath. standing
now directly facing him in the light.
"Of playing Miss Maclaire tonight"
she said quickly. "of taking her
place. and learning what it is OF 70
much Importance Hawley has to re-
port Don't you think It might DO
done?"
The sheer audacity OF this unexpeot-
ed proposal left him speechless. He
srose to HIS feet, gripping the back
of the chair, almost doabting II he
could have heard Alright, his eyes
searching the girls face which was
glowing with excitement OF course he
could not permit OF her exposure to
such risk; the scheme was imprac-
ticable absurd. But was TT Did IL
not offer fair chance Of success7
And was not the possible result
worthy the risk assumed2 He choked
back the earlier words Of protest I'M
uttered. puzzled as to what he had
best say A duick-witted resourceful
woman might accomplish all she pro
posed
1T looks so simple" she broke in
impulsiyely, moving nearer him.
Don't you think could do it7 Would
It be unwomanly7"
The result, II accomplished. would
abundantly Justify the means, Hope"
he acknowledged at last 81 was not
hesitatng on that account, but con-
sldering the risk you would incur"
THAT would be. SO small-merely
the short walk alone with him from
the theater to the hotel" she plead.
ed "Once here It could make no dif'
ference II he did discover my identity.
for there would be plenty OF men near
at hand IN ooua tn my defauca Oh.