The Chanute times., 1912-02-23
CHAPTER xxIl.-(contInued.)

Don't you ever do It," he insisted.
"The marshal brought her In here'
and fired fellow out O. the room SO
as to give it to her. He'd clean out
this house If we ran in cold deck on
q friend O. his"
What do care for what your
marshal does?"
"But he's Bill Hickock. Miss, wild
Bill"
Miss Maclaire leaned back against
the stair-rail, her eyes turning from
Tommy to her speechless supporters.
Slowly the truth seemed to penetrate
her brain.
"Oh," she gasped at last Then
shen what else can you give me?"
The officers had long since depart
Cd, promising, however, to remain
over in town and hear her again that
night at the Trocadero, with hints as
% late supper; she had received a
call from the manager Of that most
popular resort, and had rendered his
life miserable by numerous demands;
had passed half an hour pracuclng
with the leader of the orchestra; but
now was at last alone. tired, decided
ly irritable, and still tempted to In
wade "15," and give that other woman
a piece of her mind. Then some one
rapped on the door. There was a de-
oided accent of vexation In the voice
which bade the one outside enter, but
the lady's mood changed swiftly as
her brown eyes perceived standing IN
the doorway the erect form OF Keith,
the light from the window revealing
clearly his strong face. The man
stood hat in hand, bowling slightly, un-
able to comprehend why he should
have been sent for, yet marvelling
again at the remarkable resemblance
between this woman and that other
whom he had left at Fort Larned. AS
Miss Maclaire stood with back toward
the window, she presented the same
youthful appearance. the same slen-
derness of figure, the same contour OF
face
Miss Christie Maclaire?" he asked,
as though in doubt.
Yes" graciously, won instantly by
the mans appearance and manner
"you wished to see me? VIII you be
seated?"
He crossed the narrow room to the
stiff-backed chair indicated, and the
lady sank negligently down into her
own, resting her head against a Pill.
low, and regarding him expectantly.
He could view her now much more
distinctly, observing the slight differ
ence in age, the fuller lips, the darker
shade of the hair. and the varied ex'
preston of the eyes. 1t was as II a
different soul had looked forth from
the same face. He had never before
realized how little, apparently trining
details marked the human counten
ance, and, embarrassed by her OWE
scrutiny, his glance swept about the
room. Misunderstanding this shifting
Of eyes, Miss Christie sought to place
the man more at ease.
THE room is a perfect fright" she
observed briskly, but what can one
expect in these mushroom towns
Really had never been here before
or | shouldn't have come. They pay
good money though for talent, anC
we all have to live. you know. Are
are you In professional work."
He shook his head, smiling. some
what perplexed at his reception.
Really I didn't suppose you were,
she went on, you don't look It. Blu
there are SO many who come to mi
to help them that l have grown sus
picious Of every stranger. May I asl
why you desired to see met"
Another suspicion had taken pos
session OF her mind, for the men o
that section were never backward Il
exhibiting admiration, yet somehow
this man did not seem exactly Of tha
kind.
Il came merely because l was sen
for. Miss Maclaire," he replied. hi
xray eyes once again upon her fae'
Doctor Fairbain gave me your mei
sarsi am Jack Keith"