The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1912-01-25
CHAPTER XIV.
A Mistake in Assassination.


Let his future be what 1t might,
Jack Keith would never again forget
the girl who held the door open for
his passage with one hand, her other
clasped in his. Interested before, yet
forcing himself into indifference now
that he knew who she really Was, the
man made full surrender. It was .
struggle that kept him from .clasping
the slender figure In his arms, and
pouring forth the words of tenderness
which he sternly choked back. This
was neither the time, nor the place,
yet his eyes must have spoken, for
Hopes glance fell, and her cheeks
grew crimson.
I do not need to pledge you tore
turn this time, do II" she questioned,
her voice trembling.
No." he answered, nor any time
again"
The hall was deserted, but few
men loitered in the Office. Keith
recognized none of the faces, and did
not stop to make any inquiries OF the
clerk. 1t was growing dark, the lights
already burning, and from the plash-
ing OF drops on the window, it must
be raining outside. Hawley would
surely have ended his call upon Miss
Maclaire long before this, and left the
hotel. However interesting his COM
munSetion might have proven, she
the Trocadero, and would require time
for supper and rest. AS to the result
OF that interview there could be little
doubt. Providing the gambler pos
sessed the proper papers he would
have small difficulty in convincing the
girl that she was indeed the one
sought. Keith had probed sufficiently
into her mind to feel assured that her
inclination was to side with Hawley.
Under all the circumstances this was
natural enough, and he did not blame
her.
He glanced into the bar-room as he
passed, not In any anticipation, but
merely from the vigilance which be-
comes second nature upon the from
tier. Hawley stood leaning against
the bar, where he could see any one
passing through the hall. The eyes
of the two men met, but the gambler
never moved, never changed his at
titude, although Keith noted that his
right hand was hidden beneath the
skirts of his long coat The plains
man drew back, facing his enemy, un-
til he reached the outer door. There
was a sheer on Hawley's dark sinis-
ter face like an invitation, but mem
DRY OF the girl he bad just left, and
her dependence upon him, caused
Keith to avoid an encounter. He
would fight this affair out in a differ
ent way. AS the door opened and he
slipped forth into the gloom, he brush
ed against man apparently just en-
tering. The CLEAN of light fell for an
instant upon the face of the other-it
was Scotty with the red mOustache.
They had been watching for HIM
then-what for? Hawley on the IN
side, and this man Scott without, were
waiting to determine when he left
the hotel; would probably dog his
footsteps to discover where he went.
Keith loosened his revolver, SO as to
be assured he could draw quickly, and
slipped back into the shadow OF the
steps, his eyes on the door of the
hotel There was. cold, drizzly rain
falling, the streets almost deserted,
where the lights shone forth through
! saloon windows. One or two men,
seeking supper, coat collars turned up
and hats drawn low over their eyes,
climbed the rickety steps and went In.
but no one came out Perhaps he
was mistaken as to the purpose Of
those fellows; they may have desired
merely to know when he left, or
SCOTS return just at that moment
might have been an accident To be
sure, the hotel possessed q back exit,
but he could not cover both ends Of
the building, and must take his
chances. 1t was too wet and disagree
able to remain crouched there, now
that 1t was evident there was no in
tention Of following him. With hand
on the butt OF his gun. suspicious and
watchful, yet with scarcely a faster
beat to his heart, Keith Strengthened
up. and began splashing his way
through the mud down the street. He
knew where Willoughby would be
most likely found at this hour-with
cronies at the "Tenderfoot"-and he
meant to discover the boy, and make
him confess to Hope the truth. Mat
tiers had now reached point where
longer delay was dangerous.
Sheridan was seemingly dead, the
long street silent, gloomy, black, ex-
cept for those streams of saloon lignt
shining across pools of water He
stumbled over the irregular ground.
occasionally striking patches OF wood
en- sidewalk or strip Of cinders. Here
and there tent tapped In the wind.
which drove the drixxle into his face;
somewhere ahead . swinging stsn
npansd - II In agony. A few wan
Assn ploushed through The muck,
- uncsstain shapes appeas3ng 81
VnfsAinG IN de giosn. He Aah vono
q 1tocA and over. the strueg1s aGnanse
tAsi slspents leaving him foeeeE1sf G
m Islse, when maa reeleA eut g
some dimly lit shack 70 his right anA
staggered drunkenly forward few
fat "A aduanNa Ia n<,,lA ha~~l- A.