Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-08-08
CopyriEht c. Mcclure & Co. lsio)
CHAPTER XVI -

Ah0NNh ne Is a very inherent
man from what you have been led to
believe. I know ne is a gambler. and
all that, but really II Is not altogether
his fault He told me about his life.
and 1t was very sad. He was driven
from home when only a hoy and
naturally drifted into evil companv
His one ambition. is to break away.
and redeem himself. I am so anxious
TO help him, and wish you could real
lie MS 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 a 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 it
will be hard to convince me that
Black Bart is the paragon of virtue
you describe. l wish l 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 were 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 It not?"
A CLEAN of sudden suspicion ap-
peared in the brown eyes, a slight
change in facial expression.
That was a clue. yes, but far from
being all. But why should l tell you
this?-you believe nothing l say"
Il believe that you believe: that
you are fully convinced of the Justice
of your claim. Perhaps It is Just. but
| am suspicious of anything which
Bart Hawley has a hand in. Miss
Christie. you really make me wish 70
retain your friendship, but l cannot
do so II the cost includes faith in
Hawley. Do you know that is not
even his name-that he lives under an
alias?"
rs there anything strange in that
out here?" she asked stoutly. II 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, I believe-he uses it now
as a prefix"
"Bartlett!-Bartlett!" her hands
clasping, and unclasping nervously.
Why, what a strange c0incidence!"
How? What do you meant"
oh, nothing-nothing, biting her
lips in vexation. THE name merely
recalled something. But really. must
so. Mr.. Keith. or shall be late at the
theater. You have not attended since
l came?"
NO" arising from the table with
her. However, l have heard you
sing before, and hope / may again"
How tenderly you dwell on that
word hope she said banteringly, "it
almost makes me envious."
Your resemblance almost makes
me forget"
But not quite?"
NO. not quite" he confessed,
smiling back into her Quizzing eyes.
They went out into the hall togeth-
er, only to meet with Doctor Fairbain
at the door. The latter stared at the
two with some embarrassment, for
moment forgetful of his purpose His
gaze settled on the face of the lady.
Always getting you two mixed" ne
blurted forth. Never saw such re-
semblance-positively uncanny-same
hotel too means trouble-this Miss
Waiter"
mo. Doctor; am Miss Maclaire."
Ought to have known tiff l knew
as much about faces as I do about an
atomy never would make such mis-