The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1912-09-06

its being him even In this darkness.
Goodbye"
The longing to clasp her in his
arms. to speak the language of his
heart, was almost overwhelming, yet
the memory OF that figure sinking
along behind them, and the brief time
before Hawley's probable appearance,
for he would leave the theater at the
conclusion Of Miss Maclaire's act. re-
strained all demonstration. This was
a moment for action, not for words or
love; no delay should hazard the sue
cess Of their undertaking. He heard
the slight creak of the door as the
girl slipped within the CoIcealment
of the vestibule, and then he glided
away through the darkness with the
stealthy silence Of an Indian. There
was no one in the alley-way. which
was narrow and easily explored. but
the glow from the front indow
plainly revealed the shadow OF a man
zeal the entrance, and Keith slipped
up toward him, hugging the side OF
the building for cCncealment. prepared
to resort to harsh measures. AS he
reached out, gripping he astonished
loiterer by the collar, they stared at
one another in surprise, and the grip
ping hand as instantly released its
hold.
You, Fairbain! What the devil does
this mean? What are you spying on
US for?"
Clearly taken aback. yet not greatly
disturbed, his eyes showing pugnact-
Gus and his jaw se, the Doctor rubbed
his throat where Keith's knuckles had
left a red welt.
ask for an explanation" he growled.
She said she was not going with you.
and now you are around here together
at this hour. | had a right to NOW
whether | was being played with like
that"
But, man, that was not Miss Mac
laire | was with; 1t vas Hope Waite.
Come back here under the tent flap
while | explain"
Fearful Of the coming Of Hawley
he fairly dragged the portly figure OF
the bewildered Doctor with him,
striving. by quickly spoken words. to
make him comprehend the situation.
knowing previously something OF the
issues involved, it was not diff TO
make Fairbain grasp the meaning OF
this present movement, yet his sym
pathies we're at once enlisted upon the
side of Miss Christie. He'd be damned
if he would have any part In such a
scheme-if she had a right to the
money he'd help her get tit was a
cowardly trick. and he'd fight II nee
essary. to keep her from becoming a
victim. His voice rose, bis arms
brandishing violently. his sentences
swapping like rife shots. Keith an
gered. and fearful Of a discovery
which would leave Hope expOsed. real
lied the futility of discussion ana
turned to physical force. Grasping the
g%esticulating man with both hands. ne
flung him backward and dragged him
into the empty tent. kneeling on MIN
as he throttled him to tue earth.
Now. Doctor. you listen to me- ne
said sternly I'm through arguing. l
hate to treat you like this, for you are
my friend, but I'll not stand for inter
ference here. Do you get that, you
old fool? Lie still until ! get through!
| respect your feelings toward Miss
M~aclaire. She is a good girl, and l
hope to heaven you get her II Q
want her. But you never will II you
permit this affair to go on. Yes, l
know what | am talking about In all
that Hope and | do we are serving you
and Christie-our only fight Is with
Black Bart Hawley. Stop being a
bullet-headed old fool. Fairbain. n
understand this thing. Lie still. tell
you. and hear me out! Hawley Is a
liar. a thief. and a swindler. There
Is a swindle In this thing somewhere.
and he hopes to pull out a big SUM OF
money from 1t. He Is merely using
Christie to pull his own chestnuts out
of the fire. She is innocent; we real.
ize that, but this fellow Is going to
ruin the girl unless we succeed in ex-
posing him. He's not only involving
her in his criminal conspiracy. but
he's making love to her; he's teaching
her to love him. That's part OF his
scheme. no doubt. for then she will be
so much easier handled. l tell you.
Fairbain. your only chance to ever
win the interest OF Christie Maclaire
is to help US down this fellow Haw-
ley. Yes. you can sit up; | reckon
you're beginning to see clearer. Amt
your"
ITO BE CONyINUED.)