The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1912-02-01

than eating a lonely meal, and. be-
sides. she might learn something o.
value to report to fIawley. Her own
eyes frightened, the slight frown ais
appearing
You are certainly an illustration of
your theory she said pleasantly Il
shall have to say yes. tut, really, I did
not suproEe YOU you'd enjoy being
ranked among that class"
He drew out chair. and sat down
facing her. leaning slightly forward
upon the intervening table.
Nor would l, only recognize Won
60 not comprehend The source of
your information is a bit polluted
Miss Maclaire. There are those whose
good opinion I do not seek. and Won
should rot form Your decisions on the
unsupported testimony of personal
enemy"
"Oh, indeed rather resenting the
words. and already regretful of hes
compliance. Surely l have as much
reason to trust my informant as l
have you. He, at least, has proven
himself a friend"
Il wish l could feel as fully assured
OF that as you do" he returned honest
ly. II would then have every tempta-
ton to NEEDLE further taken away
from me. Do you realize that my in
terest is very largely upon your &C
count?"
"Oh, no." laughing, II couldn't be-
l1eve that IL have heard it whis-
pered it might be because of the other
girl"
The other grill" In complete sur
prise at this swift return.
Yes, sir" conscious of having at
tanned the upper hand. Miss Hope
Waite"
Some more of Mr.. Hawley's fam
cies," he retorted, perplexed that SO
much should be suspected. Have you
seen herr"
why, of course. l am a woman,
Mr.. Keith, with all the natural curl
osity OF my sex. In this case I had
special reason to be interested. One
does not meet her counterpart every
day"
"The resemblance between you is
certainly most striking"
Sufficiently So" she said slowly.
her eyes on his face, ito abundantly
confirm in my mind the truth of all
that has been told me-"
The waiter approached with the or
ders, and the two remained in silence
until he had deposited his load upon
the table, and departed. She was
watching the face opposite through
j lowered lashes that yelled her eyes,
but Keith was first to break the still
ness.
Il 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, eff 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
mo, 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 a knife.
"Mr. Keith, I cannot help but like
you, and also feel most kindly dis
posed toward Mr.. Hawley / wish in
this l was no longer compelled to con-
slider you an enemy Of us both. There
is no reason why 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.
Eyes; indeed he is a very different
man lIOM WAdI yOu udVC UCSu leu W
believe. know he Is a gambler, and
ell that, but really 1t is not altogether
his fault. He told me about his life,
and It was very sad. He was driven
from home when only a boy, and
naturally drifted into evil company.
His one ambition Is to break away,
and redeem himself am SO anxious
to help him, and wish you could real
lie 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
well in fruitful soil.
"You make strong and charming
advocate, Miss Maclaire." he returned,
feeling the necessity of saying some
thing. II 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
vos, A>uNr4HA u1eh 7 ypn}~h< H~lA~u>