Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-07-11
::A7ALE OF THE pLAINS
: DyRAnDALL pAPRISn..

AAliA ne udu uepOblC0u UlS lOdQ upon
the table, and departed. She was
watching the face opposite through
lowered lashes that yelled her eyes,
but Keith was first to break the STILL
ness.
II wish might be told what that
was
ITO what do you refer?" apparent
ly forgetful as to where their CONVEX
sation had been broken.
ITO Hawley's proposition"
mo doubt" her lips smiling, but
you have come to the wrong market,
Mr.. Jack Keith"
Yet" he insisted earnestly. 1T this
Is all straight, with no fraud conceal
ed anywhere. If you have the proofs in
your hands. why are you afraid to talk
openly? The very manner In which
Hawley works should convince you
he Is himself afraid to face the truth"
No, you are wrong. There are per-
fectly satisfactory reasons why we
should for the present keep our plans
secret There are details yet to be de-
cided upon, and Mr.. Hawley's present
objection to publicity is only ordinary
prudence"
She leaned toward him, her fingers
playing nervously with knife.
Mr.. Keith, cannot help but like
you, and also feel most kindly dis
posed toward Mr.. Hawley l wish In
this was no longer compelled to con-
slider you an enemy Of us both. There
is no reason why l should, except for
your blind prejudice against this other
man who Is my friend | know you
have some cause, for he has told me
the entire story. yet am sure he did
no more than his actual duty. He let
me realize how very sorry he was that
the marshal at Carson City had called
upon him for assistance
who? Hawley?" Keith questioned.
hardly trusting his own ears.
Yes; indeed he is very different
man from what you have been led to
believe. | know he Is gambler, and
all that, but really it is not altogether
his fault. He told me about his life,
and 1t was very sad. He was driven
AAOAAA AoLhO WhGA oAly d DOy, anu
naturally drifted into evil company.
His one ambition Is to break away.
and redeem himself. l am SO anxious
to help him, and wish you could real
ize his purpose, as do. and become
his friend. Won't you, for my sake?
Why, even In this affair he has not
the slightest mercenary purpose-he
has only thought Of what was rightful-
ly mine"
Keith listened. feeling to the full the
woman's earnestness, the impossible
ty OF changing her fixed conviction.
Hawley had planted his seed deep and
we'll in fruitful soil.
You make strong and charming
advocate, Miss Maclaire." he returned,
feeling the necessity of saying some
thing. 81 should like to have you
equally earnest on my side. Yet 1t
will be hard to convince me that
Black Bart is the paragon OF virtue
you describe. l wish might believe
for your sake. Did he also explain
how he came into possession of these
papers?"
"Oh. yes, indeed; there is no secret
about that. They we're entrusted to
him by an old man whom he discov-
cred sick in Independence. and who
died In his rooms three years ago.
Mr.. Hawley has been searching ever
since for the old mans granddaughter.
1t is remarkable how he was finally
convinced that l was the one"
"A photograph. was 1t not?"
A CLEAN Of sudden suspicion APP
peared In the brown eyes. slight
change in facial expression.
THAT was clue, yes, but far from
being ALL But why should l tell you
this ?-you believe nothing say"
II believe that you believe; that
you are fully convinced of the justice
Of your claim. Perhaps 1t is just. but
am suspicious OF anything which
Bart Hawley has hand In. Miss
Christie, you really make me wish to
retain your friendship. but | cannot
do SO If the cost includes faith In
Hawley. Do you know that Is not
even his name-that he lives under an
alias?"
us there anything strange in that
out here?" she asked stoutly 81 told
you how deeply he regretted his life;
that alone would be sufficient cause
for him to drop his family name Did
you ever learn his true name?"
He was not sure-only as Neb had
reported what Waite had called the
man. yet ventured a direct reply.
Bartlett, believe-he uses It now
as prefix"
Observation-Disclosures" her hands
claspins. and unclasping nervously
Why. what strange cotncidence!"
Flow! What do you meanl"
"Oh. nothing-nothfng," biting hel
lips in vexation. The name merely
recalled something. But really, mus,
go, Mr.. Keith, or shall be late at the
theater. You have not attended since
! came?"
NO." arising from the table with
her. However, l have heard you
sing before. and hope l may again"
Glow tandarIv you dwoII IN TIM