Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1912-01-17
CHAPTER XVII.
mis-. Hope suggests.

No sooner had Miss Maclaire van
ished than Keith's thoughts turned to-
ward Hope Waite. She would need
someone in her loneliness to take her
mind from on her brothers death.
and. besides. much had occurred OF
interest since the funeral, which he
desired to talk over with her. Be-
yond even these considera tons he was
becoming aware Of pleasure in the
girls company altogether foreign TO
this mystery which they were en-
9deavor!ng together to solve. He
yearned to be with her. to look into
4 her face. to mark how clearly the DIFF
fering soul changed her from Christie
Maclaire, He could not help but like
the latter, yet somehow was conscious
OF totally different atmospheres sur
rounding the two. With one he could
I be fippant. careless. even deceitful.
II but the other aroused only the best
that was IN him. her own sincerity
making him sincere.
Yet there was reluctance in his
steps as he approached the door Of
"15." a laggardness he could not ex-
{ II,
enough at Hopes greeting. and the
sudden smile with which she recog-
mixed himA y,
q. q was sure you would come. she
declared frankly. and took an; early
lunchfso as to be certain and be here.
1t has seemed long time since.
.'And you might have even thought /
had forgotten" he answered. releasing
her hand reluctantly. If you could
Z have looked into the dining.room
since instead of staring out OF these
windows"
why? How forgotten7" her eyes
opening wide in surprise.
as'.l had the pleasure OF taking supper
with Miss Maclaire.
.Ohi" the exclamation decidedly ex-
pressive.
Yes. ] come at once to you with
the confession. However. our meet
ing was purely accidental. and SO !
hope for pardon. @
Pardon from me? Why. what diff
ference can 1t possibly make to me?"
Would you have me consort with
the enemy?" he asked. scarcely daring
TO press his deeper meaning
.'Oh. no. OF course not What did
you talk about? Do you mind telling p.
Not in the least: our conversation
was entirely impersonal. She was
telling me about Hawley: what a won.
derfully good man he is. ] have be-
gun to suspect the fellow has fas-
cinated the poor girl-he Is good
looking devil. possessed Of a tongue
: dripping with honey"
t.'Surely you do not mean she has
fallen in love with him." and Hope
shuddered at the thought. Why
why that would be impossible for.
4 for good woman"
M Standards Of morality are not al.
ways the same" he defended gravely.
miss Maclaire's environment has
been vastly different from yours.
Hope. She Is variety hall singer:
probably. from her own account, q
wait since childhood: and Hawley has
come to her in the character OF q
friend appealing both to her interest
and sympathy. | do not know she is
I IN love with him. merely suspect she
may be: certainly she is ready to do
battle on his behalf at the slightest
opportunity. She believes In him. de-
tends him. and resents the slightest
insinuation directed against him. He
even escorts. her back and forth from
I her work.
You know this?"
81 certainly do and he laughed at
the recollection. "Fairbain met us
coming out OF the dining.room-you
know what delightful. blunt. blunder-
ing fellow he is! Well. Miss Christie
must have made an impression even
on his bachelor heart. for he actually
requested the privilege OF escorting
her to the Trocadero. and back to the
hotel after the performance tonight
limited at lunch. the gay old dog.
and pranced about like stage-door
Johnnie. 1t was treat to watch her
face when he blurted 1t all out. snap
ping his sentences as II he swung
whip-lash. She excused herself on
the score OF previous engagement
But that was not necessarily with
Hawley."