Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1912-11-28
CHAPTER xxx.
BY Force Of Arms.

win ner heart thrObbing Hereby.
Hope chung to the outer door of the
vestibule endeavoring to see a little
OF what was Transporting without.
About her was dense darkness, and |
she dare not explore the surroundings. |
Behind could be heard. through what |
must have been a thin partition. the
various distractions of the stage.
shifting scenery. music. shufling feet.
voices and the occasional sound OF
applause. The girl had nerved herself
10 the encounter with Hawley, but
this waiting here in darkness and un-
certainty tried her to the uttermost
u some one should venture out that
way how could she excuse her pres
ence or explain her purpose? She
found herself trembling In every limb
from nervous fear startled by every
strange sound. Would the man never
come? Surely Christie herself must
be ready TO depart by this time.
Almost prepared to fee before the
terrors thus conjured up within her
mind. they left her as If by magic the
moment her straining eyes distin-
guished the approach of a dim figure
without She could not tell who II
was, only that II was the unmistakable
form of man. and that he was whis-
Ting softly to himself. 1t might not
prove to be the gambler. but she must
accept the chance. for flesh and blood
could stand the strain OF waiting no
longer. Yet she was not conscious OF
fear, only Of eXultation, as she stepped
forth into the open. her blood again
circulating freely in her veins. At
the slight creak OF the door the man
saw her. his whistle ceasing. his hat
lifted Instantly she recognized him
as Hawley. her heart leaping with the
excitement of encounter
Why. hullo. Christie" he said ia
military. Il thought was early. and
expected a ten minutes wait came
out as soon as you left the stage"
"Oh. can dress in a jiny when
there is any cause for hurry" Hope
responded. permitting herself to drift
under his guidance. Are you disap-
pointed? Would you prefer to com
mune with nature?"
We'll. ! should say not" drawing
her hand through his arm. and then
patting 1t with his own. Il have seen
about all care to OF nature. but not
of Christie Maclaire.
You may learn to feel the same
regarding her" Hope answered. afraid
to encourage the man. yet eagerly
fearful lest she fail to play her part
Alright
Not the slightest danger" laughing
lightly. and pressing her arm more
closely against his body. Although
must confess you exhibited some TEN
per when | was late tonight"
did not have occasion to? a
woman should never be kept waiting
especially if her engagement be i'm
perative.'
"Oh. | am not finding any fault. yol
little spit-fire like you all the bet
ter because you fight. But the trou
BILE was. Christie. you simply jumped
on me without even asking how it oc
CURED. You took it for granted ! wal
late on purpose to spite you"
well. weren't you?" and the cir
glanced inQuiringly up into his face
as they passed out of the alley int
the light of the Trocaderos windows
You certainly acted that way"
mo. ! did not; but you wouldn'
listen and besides had no time the
to explain. There's n lot happene
this afternoon | want to tell yo
about win you give me time TO tai
I with you?
, "Whv. of course" surprised at tn
, question. yet fun of eagerness. "Wh
should YOU ask that?
"Recause | want you alone wher
ro one can overhear syllable II
afraid of that damned hotel fo
mover know who is in the next room
and the slightest whisper travels troI
ono cnd TO the other. That is one wa
in which Keith got onto our deal-h
had n room next to Willoughby an
' scott. and overheard them talkini
= I'm not going 10 take any MOI
n chances. Win you 80 TO Sheen
Ioc's' with me?"
=, She drew back from him.
4 ".Shceny Joe's?' You mean the s
loon near the depot?
=. "Sure. what's the use of being :
:. soueamish? You sing and dance to
d, saloon crowd. don't you? oh. kno
, vou're a good girl. Christie. ana a
=. that. I'm not ranking you with the'
q" ny.by-nights around here. But there
4 no reason that | can see why yC
T should shy so at saloon. Beside
q Won won't see any one. Joe has &
q soma back room where we can
alone. and have a bite to eat whi