Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-06-27
CHAPTER XIII.
An Unexpected Meeting.


Keith paused at the landing, loofop
ing down into the deserted office. al
most tempted TO return and force
Hawley into confession of his pur>
pose. 1t was easy for him to con.
ceive what would be the final result
Of this interview between the artistic
gambler and Miss Maclaire. In spite
Of the vague suspicion of evil which
the plainsman had implanted within
the woman's mind, the other possessed
the advantage, and would certainly
Improve It, All conditions were de.
cidedly in his favor He merely
needed to convince the girl that she
was actually the party sought, and
she would go forward. playing the
game he desired. believing herself
right, totally unconscious of any
fraud. The very simplicity of it rem.
dered the plot the more dangerous.
the more difficult to expose Hawley
had surely been favored by fortune In
discovering this singer who CHANGED
to resemble Hope so remarkably and
who, at the same time, was in such
ignorance as to her own parentage.
She would be ready to grasp at
straw, and, once persuaded as to her
identity and legal rights, could hence.
forth be trusted implicitly as an lilly.
Realizing all this, and comprehend.
ing also how easily Hawley would win
her confidence and overcome his
warning by denouncing him as fugi.
tive from justice charged with murder,
the temptation to return and fight 10
eat then and there became almost
empowering. He had no fear Of
Hawley; indeed. physical fear had
scarcely place in his composition.
but he was not as yet sufficiently for
tined with facts for the seeking Of
such an encounter He could merely
guess at the truth. unable to produce
any proof with which to meet tho
gamblers certain denial.
man came in through the Office,
and began climbing the stairs. He
was almost at the landing before
Keith recognized him or the other
glanced up.
"Ah-seen her, suppose?"
Yes" returned Keith, not thinking
1t worth while to mention the lady's
denial OF having sent for him. Il have
just come from there"
"Hum-thought you'd be through by
this time-fine looking girl, amt she?
I believe I'll run in and chat with her
myself
Il would advise you to select some
other time, Doctor" said the younger,
drily. "as the lady has visitor at
present"
"A visitor?" his face rosy, his
shrewd eyes darkening. "Ah. indeed!
OF the male sex?"
Il judge so-'Black Bart Hawley."
Good Lord" so startled his voice
broke. Did he see your"
Rather; backed him up against
the wall with gun while made my
adieu."
But what brought him there? Are
they acQuainted?"
Don't ask conundrums, Doctor. He
may be your rival with the fair lady
for all know II he is, my sympa
thies are all with you Only wouldn't
try to see Miss Christie just now; I'D
wait for a clearer field. Hawley is
probably not in the best of humor."
Fairbain stared into the face of the
speaker, uncertain whether or not he
was being laughed at
Reckon you're right" he acknowl
edged at last. Tired, anyhow-beer
out all night-thought I'd like to see
her again. though-inest looking
woman I've met since l came West
remarkable eyes-well, I'll go along t.
bed-see you again tomorrow, Jack.
Keith watched the sturdy figure
stamp heavily down the hallway
loose boards creaking under his posi-
tive tread, and smiled to himself a
the thought that he might have, in
deed, become truly interested In tn,
music hall singer. Somehow, the doc
tor did not harmonic with the con
eeption Of love. or fit graciously int,