River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1911-12-07

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"Hum-thought you'd be through by
this time-fine looking girl, amt she?
believe I'll run in and chat with her
myself"
other time, Doctor" said the younger,
drily. AS the lady has a visitor at
present"
"A visitor?" his face rosy, his
shrewd eyes darkening. "Ah. indeed!
OF the male sex?''
Il Judge so-'Black Bart Hawley."
Good Lord!" so startled his voice
broke. did he see your"
Rather; | backed him up against
the wall with gun while / made my
adieu."
But what brought him there? Are
they acquainted?"
Don't ask conundrums, Doctor. He
may be your rival with the fair lady
for all l know. If he is, my sympa-
thies are all with you. Only wouldn't
try to see Miss Christie just now; I'D
wait for clearer field. Hawley is
probably not in the best of humor."
Fairbain stared into the face of the
speaker, uncertain whether or not he
! was being laughed at.
Reckon you're right" he acknowl-
edged at last. Tired, anyhow-been
out all night-thought I'd like to see
her again, though-finest looking
woman I've met since l came West
remarkable eyes-well. I'll go 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 at
the thought that he might have, in
deed, become truly interested in the
music hall singer. Somehow, the doc
tor did not harmonic with the con-
ception of love. or fit graciously into
the picture. Still, stranger matings
had occurred, and Cupid does not ask
permission before he plays FRANKS
with hearts. Keith turned again to-
ward the stairs, only to observe a
woman slowly cross the Office and
commence the ascent. She was in the
shadow, her face even more deeply
her in amazement-surely. it was
Miss Maclaire! Yet how could it be?
He had left that person scarcely five
minutes before in go" 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 it 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 | came in
time"
Il hardly thought to meet you," he
replied, retaining her fingers in his
grasp. When did you reach Sheri-
! dam"
only last night. had no idea you
were herr until Doctor Fairbain
Glanced to mention your name Then
at once begged him to tell you how
exceedingly anxious l was to see you.
You see, | was sure you would come
| if you only knew. really thought
you would be here this morning, and
remained in my room waiting. but
there were some things l actually had
to have wasa't out ten minutes. so
you mustn't think l sent you a 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. las the doctor in
| formed me that Miss Christie Maclaire