The new era., 1911-11-09
CHAPTER XIV.
Again Christie Maciaire.

Keith possessed sufficient means tor
several months of idleness. and even
II he had not, his reputation as
plains scout would insure him employ
ment at any OF the more important
scattered army posts. Reliable men
for such service were in demand. The
restlessness of the various Indian
tribes. made specially manifest by
raids on the more advanced settle
ments, and extending over a constant
| ly widening territory. required contin-
uous interchange of communication
between commanders of detachments.
Bold and reckless spirits had flocked
TO the frontier In those days follow
ing the Civil War yet all were not of
the type to encourage confidence IN
military authorities. Keith had al
ready frequently served in this, ca
worth under rigorous demands of both
endurance and intelligence. and he
could feel assured of permanent en-
pIoyment whenever desired. Not
few OF the more prominent officers he
had met personally during the late
war-including Sheridan, to whom he
had once borne flag of truce-yet
the spirit of the Confederacy still lin
gered in his heart: not In any feeling
of either hatred or revenge. but in an
Tin willingness to serve the blue uni
form. and memory Of antagonism
which would not entirely disappear.
He had surrendered at Appomattox.
conquered. yet he could not quite ad
just himself to becoming companion
in-arms with those against whom he
had fought valiantly for four years.
Some OF the wounds of that conflict
still smarted. A natural soldier. anx-
ious to help the harassed settlers.
eager enough to be actively employed.
he still held aloof from army connec-
tions except as volunteer In case of
Emergency.
.fust now other considerations
caused him to desire freedom He
had been accused of murder. impr,s-
oned for It, and in order to escape
had been compelled TO steal horses.
the most heinous crime OF the from
tier. Not only for his own protec-
ton and safety must the truth OF that
occurrence at the Cimmaron Crossing
be made clear. but he also had now a
personal affair with BLACK Bart" Haw-
ley to be permanently settled They
had already clashed twice. and Keith
intended they should meet again
Memory of the girl was still In his
mind as he and Neb rode silently
forth on the black prairie. leading the
extra horse behind him. He endeav.
ored TO drive the recollection from bis
mind. SO he might concentrate 1t upon
plans for the future. but somehow she
mysteriously wove her own personalt-
ty into those plans. and he was ever
seeing the pleading in her eyes. and
listening to the soft Southern accent
OF her voice. OF late years he had
been unaccustomed to association
with women OF high type. and there
was that touch OF the gentlewoman
about this girl which had awakened
deep interest. or course he knew that
in her case 1t was merely an tnheri-
tance OF her past. and could not truly
represent the present Christie Ma
claire OF the music halls However
fascinating she might be. she could
not be worthy any serious considera-
ton. In spite OF his rough life the
social spirit OF the old South was i'm
planted in his blood. and no woman of
that class could hold him captive Yet.
some way. she refused to be banished
or lett behind Even Neb must have
been obsessed by similar spirit. for
he suddenly observed:
Dat am sutt'nly mighty flne gal.
Massa Jack. 1 amt seen nothin' to
compare wild her since quilt OIL vir-
Ginia-'deed l amt"
Keith glanced back at his black
satellite. barely able to distinguish
the fellows dim outlines
You think her lady, them he
NRestioned. giving thoughtless utter.