The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1912-06-07
XIV.
Aqaln Christie MacIaire.

Keith possessed sufficient means for
several months OF idleness. and even
II be had not. his reputation as a
plains scout would insure him myloy-
ment at any of the more important
scattered army posts. Reliable men
for such service were In demand. The
restlessness OF the various Indian
tribes. made specially manifest by
raids OF the more advanced settle
n'ents. and extending over a constant
- widening territory. required contin.
uous interchange OF communication
between commanders of detachments.
Dold and reckless spirits had flocked
H the frontier In those days follow
irg the Civil War. yet all were lot Of
TIE type IT, encourage confidence In
military authorities. Keith had al
ready frequently served In this ca
pacity. and ~abundantly proved his
worth under rigorous demands Of both
endurance and intelligence. and he
could feel assured of permanent en-
Payment whenever desired. Not a
fcW Of the more prominent officers he
had met personally during the late
var-including Sheridan. to whom he
had once borne a flag of truce-yet
the spirit of the ~Confederacy still lin
Cared In his heart; not In any feeling
o. either hatred or revenge, but In an
Tnwillingness to serve the blue uni.
form. and a memory Of antagonism
which would not entirely disappear.
he had surrendered at Appomattox.
ss,nquered. yet he could not quite ad-
1isst himself to becoming companion
fC>arrns with those against whom he
had fought ~valiantly for four years.
Some OF the wounds of that conflict
SIN smarted. A natural soldier. anx.
fcus to help the harassed settlers.
ekger enough to be actively employed.
he still held aloof from army connec-
tfons except as q volunteer in case of
emergency.
Just now other considerations
crused him to desire freedom. He
had been accused of murder. impris-
oned for 1t. and In order to a
bad been compelled TO steal horses.
TIE most heinous crime of the from.
tier. Not only for his own protec-
tton and safety must the truth Of that
occurrence at the Cimmaron Crossing
b. made clear. but he Also had now a
pnrsonal affair with BLACK Bart" Haw.
ley to be permanently settled. They
bid already clashed twice. and Keith
h-tended they should meet again.
Memory OF the girl was still In his
rAnd as he and Neb rode silently
forth on the black prairie. leading the
oztra horse behind him. He endsav.
osed to drive the recollection from his
mind. so he might concentrate II upon
pans for the future. but somehow she
Mysteriously wove her W personals.
y into those plans. and he was ever
seeing the pleading In her eyes. and
iistening to the soft Southern accent
Of her voice. or late years be had
teen unaccustomed to association
With women of high type, and there
vas that touch OF the gentlewoman
stout this girl which had awakened
step interest. OF course he knew that
Ia her case 1t was GSrely an inher%.
tnnce of her past. and could not truly
represent the present Christie Ma.
Caire OF the music halls. However
fascinating she might be. she could
net be worthy any serious cons,der..
chm. In spite Of his rough life the
social spirit Of the old South was Inn.
planted in his blood. and no woman q
hat class could hold him captive. Yss
s0me way. she refuse ed to be banishcI
" left behind. Bven Neb must have
bsen obsessed by . similar spirit. toe
~ suddenly observed:
dat am sutt'nly q mighty nne gal
1Gassa Jack. amt seen nothin. q
scmpare Wild her since I quit. oil W
g3oia-'deed L ami"
Keith glanced back It his b,ac,
satellite. barely able to dintlnxuial
ne fellows dim Gntlines.
.Y6u think her q lady. theas- :,
ps~ssos1A. ovsas -~sAssxhtlsss -
* hA#N t