Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1911-12-22
CHAPTER xxIli.-(continued.)

Keiths 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, ana
cOmpG nlonable, and in spite OF her
profession, at heart, believe, good
woman. But really. Miss Hope. was
too deeply immersed in my purpose
to give her personality much consld-
Grafton. Among other things we spoke
of you"
"Of me? Why?"
Il told her something OF our ad-
ventures together; of how both HaW-
lev and | had been confused. She was
anxious to learn who you were, put
unfortunately, | have never, even yet
beard your name.
You have not?"
No; | left you at Fort Larned be-
Heying you Christie Maclatre-sup-
posing it your stage name, OF course
and was confirmed in this bellef 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
Ictjc
Maclaire all this while? Have never
known who | was?
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 ii
was an oversight. This was about the
throat of one of the men | buried al
Cimmaron Crossing, but-but, Hope
1t was not your father"
i 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
at 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 tel
me-"
He pressed the Iocket back into hel
hand, retaining the latter, unresisted
within his own.
| have not seen your father. Hone
but he was certainly here a few DAYS
ago. for Fairbain met him. Thew were
together in the army. am going r.
ten you all i know-it seems to be 6
tangled web. but the ends must he
somewhere, although. | confess. | an
all at sea-
He told 1t slowly and simply. bring
ing forth his earlier suspicion and
how he had stumbled upon facts an
pareDtly confirming them. He related
her fathers robbery. his loss of vain
able papers. and the conversation no
tween Hawley and Scott which led r.
the suspicion that these same ma
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 filled with wonder. As
he concluded speaking she burst
forth:
But | don't understand in the least
captain Keith. Why did this mar
aaWley send me to the Salt Fork?'
He thought he was dealing with
christie Maclaire. He had some rea
son Tor getting her away; getting hel
wnere he could exercise influence over
her.
ies-yes; but who is she?"
mat Is what makes the matter sc
hard to unravel She doesn't even
Know herself. Hawley is gofrs tc
take advantage OF her ignorance in
this respect, and convince her tina,
she is the person he wishes her r.
represent-but who is the person? I,
we knew that va uipht block the
game"