Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-07-25
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you TO help me find him"
He was thinking and did not answer
at once, and she went on In some
alarm.
DO you know anything about him.
Captain Keith? Where is be7 Why
is he here? Don't be afraid to tell
me"
He pressed the locket back into her
hand, retaining the latter, unres listed.
within his own.
l have not seen your father, Hope.
but he was certainly mere a few days
ago. for Fairbain met him. They were
together in the army. I am goi 1g to
tell you all l know-it seems to be a
tangled web. but the ends mu it be
somewhere. although, 1 confess, am
all at sea"
He told 1t slowly and simply. bring
ing forth his earlier suspicion. and
how he had stumbled upon facts APP
parently confirming them. He related
her fathers robbery. his loss OF valu-
able papers. and the conversation be-
tween Hawley and Icott which ed to
the suspicion thEt these sane pa
pers had fallen into the hands
- NAO AOA utf, anu were lnO
basis of his plot Hope listened,
breathless with interest, her widely
opened eyes filled with wonder AS
he concluded 81 akins she burst
forth:
But don't understand in the least,
Captain Keith. Why did this man
Hawley send me to the Salt Fork?''
He thought he was dealing with
Christie Maclaire. He had some rea,
son for getting her away; getting her
where he could exercise influence over
her"
"Yes-yes: but who is she7"
That is what makes the matter so
hard to unraveL She doesn't even
know herself. Hawley is goir to
take advantage OF her ignorance in
this respect. and convince her that
she is the person he wishes hsr to
represent-but who is the person? II
we knew that we might block the
game"
Both sat silent, striving to 1gur0
out some reasonable explanation.
DO you know of any special papers
your father carried?" he asked.
mo; none outside his bus mess
agreements"
Has any one ever disappeared con-,
nected with your family? DID you
have an older sister,
Fred and l were the only Chi dren-
Why should you ask that quest lon?"
Because something Of that allure
would seem TO be the only ration Il ex-
PLANTATION. Your brother must have
told Hawley something-some family
secret-which he felt could be utilized
TO his own advantage. Then he saw
your picture, and was Immediately re-
minded OF the remarkable reseu-
blance between you and Christie
Maclaire. Evidently this discovery
fitted into his plan. and made II pos
eible for him TO proceed. He has been
trying ever since to get an int view
with the woman, to soundN her, and
find ont what he can do with hef.-f1e
has written letters, sufficiently ex-
plicit to make it clear his scheme is
based upon a will drawn, as he claims,
by Christie's grandfather. No doubt
| by this time he has fully convinced
the girl that she lie the rightful heiress
| to property-as he stated TO Scott
valued at over a million dollars. That's
a stake worth fighting for. and these
two Will make a hard combination.
He's got the papers. or claims TO have,
and they must be the ones stolen from
your father. l have been trusting you
might know something In your family
history which would make it all
lain"
But l DO not" decisively. You
must believe me; not so much as a
hint of any secret has ever reached
me. There are only the four Of us,
Father Mother. Fred, and /. am
sure there can be no secret: nothing
which I would not know. Perha ps,- il
could see Miss Maclaire-'
Il am convinced that would be use
less" he interrupted, rising, and pa
cling across the floor IF HawIey has
convinced her of the Justice OF the
claim, he will also have pledged her
| to secrecy. He is working out of sight
like a mole, for he knows the fraud.
and Will never come to the surface
until everything is In readiness. I
know a better way; I'll find Fred. and
bring him here. He would tell you
whatever 1t was he told Hawley, and
that Will give us the clue"
He picked up his hat from the table.
but she rose to her feet. holding forth
| her hands
Il cannot thank you enough, Cap
tain Keith" she exclaimed frshkly.
You are doing so much, al with no
personal interest"
"Oh. but have"
The long lashes dropped over Ina
brown eyes.
What do you mean?"
That I have a personal interests.
you, Hope"
She stood silent, her bosom rfsinx
and falling to rapid breathing.
You don't mind my calling Won
Hope? l haven't got used to Mis-.
Waite yet"
Her eyes met his swiftly.
"Of course, not. IA Such ceremony
would be foolish after ali you ha~s
done for me. Do-do you cali h.r
Christie?"