River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1911-12-14
CHAPTER xxIII.-(continued.)

Keith's eyes lifted to her face, his
ears quick to detect the undertone
in her voice.
Interesting? yes, for was seeking
after information, and met with some
success. AS to the other question,
am not sure whether | admire the lady
or not. She is bright. pretty, and
compsnlonable, and in spite OF her
profession, at heart, l believe, gooo
woman. But really, Miss Hope. | was
too deeply immersed in my purpose
TO give her personality much consld-
Sraticn. Among other things we spoke
If you"
"Of me? Why?"
81 told her something of our adj
ventures together; OF how Doth Ha"-
ley and | had been confused. she was
anxious to learn who you were, out
unfortunately, have never, even yet
heard your name.
You have not?''
NO: | left you at Fort Larned be-
lieving you Christie Maclaire-sup-
posing it your stage name, OF course
and was confirmed in this belief by
finding in the holster of the saddle
you had been riding an envelope bear
ing that address"
Il remember; it contained the note
the man brought to me from Hawley;
he had written it that way" She
crossed the room, sinking down into a
chair facing him. And you have
actually confused me with Christie
Maclaire all this while? Have never
known who | WASP"
He shook his head.
Il told you to call me Hope; that is
my name am Hope Waite"
"Waite!" he leaned forward, star
tied by the possibility ot-not-'
YES" she burst in, holding out her
hands, clasping the locket, land this
was my fathers; where did you get
it?"
He took the trinket from her, turn
ing it over in his fingers. Little by lit
tie the threads of mystery were be-
ing unraveled, yet, even now, he could
not see very far. He looked up from
the locket into her questioning face.
did not tell you? No; then it
was an oversight. This was about the
throat of one of the men | buried at
Cimmaron Crossing, but-but, Hope,
it was not your father"
Il know" her voice choking slight
ly. Mrs. Murphy found that out;
that is why | am here. | heard my
father came to Sheridan, and wanted
you to help me find him.
He was thinking and did not answer
st once, and she went on in some
alarm.
do you know anything about him.
Captain Keith? Where is he? Why
Is he here? Don't be afraid to tell
me-"
He pressed the locket back into her
hand, retaining the latter. unresisted
within his own.
Il have not seen your father, Hope.
but he was certainly here a few days
ago, for Fairbain met him. They were
together In the army. | am going To
tell you all | know-it seems to be a
tangled web, but the ends must he
somewhere. although. confess, am
all at sea-"
He told it slowly and simply. bring
ing forth his earlier suspicion. and
how he had stumbled upon facts ap-
parently confirming them. He related
her fathers robbery, his loss of vaIu-
able papers. and the conversation be-
tween Hawley and Scott which led to
the suspicion that these same pa
pers had fallen into the hands
of the former. and were the
basis of his plot Hope listened.
breathless with interest, her widely
opened eyes filed with wonder. AS
he concluded speaking she burst
forth:
But don't understand in the least,
Captain Keith Why did this man
Hawley send me to the Salt Fork?'
He thought he was dealing with
Christie Maclaire He had some rea-
son for getting her away; getting her
where he could exercise influence over.
her"
Yes-yes; but who is she?"
That is what makes the matter so
hard to unravel. She doesn't even
know herself. Hawley is going to
take advantage of her ignorance in
this respect. and convince her that
she is the person he wishes her to
represent-but who is the person? IL
we knew that we might block the
gsme"