The Mena weekly star., 1911-11-09
.losvTTigAL A 0. mecsurg . Co.. isiO.l
Continued from Last Issue.)
CHAPTER XXX.
The Search for tho Missing.

like fat guardian angel, patting he
shoulder, her eyes so blurred will
tears as to be practically sghtless. ye
still turned questioningly upon Waite
The sheriff was first to recover
speech, and sense of duty.
Then this let's Miss Maclaire out
Of the conspiracy charge he said
travely, "but 1t doesn't make it any
Tighter for Hawley so far as | car
sse-there's robbery charge against
Linn if nothing ese. Any one here
lnow where the fellow is?"
For moment no one answered, al
though Keith took step forward re-
rinded instantly of Hopes predica
rent, Before he could speak, however
Christie looked up. with swift gesture
pushing back her loosened hair.
He was to have met me at the
taeater tonight she said, her voice
trembling, but was not there when
came out; he-he said he had i'm
rortant news for me-"
And failed to show up--did he send
10 message?"
Doctor Fairbain was waiting for
me instead, He said that Mr. Hawley
vas called suddenly out of town"
The eyes of the sheriff turned to
fairbain, whose face grew redder
tlan usual, as he shifted his gaze
toward Keith.
That was a lie,' he confessed.
lamely. II was told to say thai" "
Just a moment. Sheriff" and Keith
stood before them, his voice clear and
convincing My name is Keith, and
have unavoidably been mixed up in
his affair from the beginning. Just
COW | can relieve the doctor of his
embarrassment. Miss Hope Waite
and | have been associated together
in an effort to solve this mystery This
evening. taking advantage of the re-
markable resemblance existing be.
tween herself and Miss Maclaire, Misc
Hope decided upon a mask"
What's that" Waite broke in ex.
citedy. rs Hope here?"
Yes, has been for a week: wevo
...nging back the name with
ia ShOi I. Aoy 1Ont that ~ 0AN "Si
ferson Keiths boy-killed at An
tetam. And you know Hopper"
Yes, General"
He looked about as though dazed,
and the sheriff broke in not unkindly.
We'll, Waite, II we are going to
search for your daughter we better
be at 1t. Come on, all of you; Miss
Maclaire will be safe enough here
alone"
He took hold Of Keith's arm, ques
tioning him briefly as they passed
down the hall On the stairs the lat
ter took his turn, still confused by
what he had Just heard
Who is Miss Maclaire?" he asked.
Phyllis Gale"
'Of course, but who is Phyllis Caller
What has she to do with General
Waite? His daughter has told me she
never heard of any one by that name"
Well, Keith, the old man has never
tod me very much; he's pretty close
nouthed, except for swearing. but I've
read his papers, and picked up a point
or two. | reckon the daughter, Miss
Hope, maybe never heard q word
about It, but the boy-the one that
ma all the police force OF Sheridan
hunting YOU"
The old man stared at the speaker,
open-mouthed, and muttered some
thing about Fort Hays, but Keith. pay
ing little attention to him, hurried on
with his story.
AS | say. she decided upon imper'
sonating Christie here, hoping In thi'
way to learn more regarding Hawleys
plans. We had discovered that thu
two were to meet after the evening
performance at the stage door OF the
Irocadero. ! escorted Hope there,
dressed as near like Miss Maclaire as
possible. and left her inside the vesti-
bule waiting for Black Bart to APP
pear At the head of the alley | ran
into Fairbain, told him something OF
the circumstances, and persuaded him
to escort Miss Christie back TO the
hotel. He was not very hard to per-
suade. Well, Hawley came, and Hope
met him; they went out OF the alley
way together arm In arm, talking
pleasantly, and turned this way to-
ward the hotel The doctor and
both saw and heard them. | was de-
layed not to exceed two minutes,
speaking a final word to Fairbain, and
when | reached the street they had
s5 iissss spfs;ssrs5 have hunted them
everywhere without finding a trace
have even been through the resorts
She has not returned to the hotel, and
| burst in upon you here hoping that
Miss Maclaire might have some inior-
nation"
She shook her head, and Waite
glaring impotently at the two of them
swore sharply.
Good God. man! my girl Hope
a one with that damn villain. Come
OF. Sheriff: we've got to find her.
Nait, thought" and ne STROBE almos,
ncnaeingly across the room. First
want TO know who the devil you
are7"
Keith Strengthened up. looking ci'
rectly into the fierce questioning eyes.
4 have told you my name-lack
Keith" be replied. quietly "l'at'oI
lfbaln knows something Of me, tai
Ter your further information ! will ado
iaat when we met before was Cap
tain Keith. Third Virginia Cavalry
aud hearing dfspafches from Long