Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1912-10-11

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 2
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 men,
DRY of the girl he had just left, and
her dependence upon him, caused
Keith to avoid an encounter. He
would fight this affair out in differ
| ent way. AS the door opened and he
slipped forth into the gloom, he brush
ed against a man apparently just en-
tering. The CLEAN of light fell for an
| instant upon the face of the other-it
Vas ScOtty with the req 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 a cold, drizzly rain
| falling, the streets almost deserted.
appearing sodden and miserable
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.
|
| 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 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 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" he
meant to discover the boy, and make
him confess to Hope the truth. Mat
tiers had now reached a point where
longer delay was dangerous.
Sheridan was seemingly dead. the
long street silent gloomy, black, ex-
shining across pools Of water. A few
wanderers ploughed through the muck,
dim uncertain shapes appearing and
vanishing in the gloom. He had gone
a block and over, the struggle against
the elements leaving him forgetful of
| Ill nf
some dimly lit shack to his right, and
staggered drunkeny forward few
feet in advance. He could barely dis
tinguish the fellows's outlines, giving
little thought to the occurrence, for
the way was unusually black along
there, the saloon opposite having
shades drawn. Suddenly flash of
red fire spurted into the night, with
sharp report. 1t was so close at hand
1t blinded him, and he flung up one
| arm over his eyes, and yet, In that
single instant, he perceived the whole
picture as revealed by the red flame.
He saw the man in front go down In
a heap, the projection of the building
from behind which the shot came. the
end of wagon sticking forth into the
street which had concealed the as
sassin. The binding fash, the shock
of that sudden discharge. for mo-
ment held him motionless; then he
/ leaped forward revolver In hand,
sprang around the end of the wagon.
and rushed down the dark alley be-
tween two buildings. He could see
nothing, but some one was running
recklessly ahead Of him, and he fired
In the direction of the sound, the
leaping squirt Of fame yielding dim
outline of the fugitive. Three times
he pressed the trigger; then there
was nothing to shoot at--the fellow
had faded away into the black void
of prairie Keith stood there baffied,
staring about into the gloom, the
smoking revolver In his hand. The
sound of mems voices behind was all
that reached him, and feeling the use
lessness of further pursuit, he re-
traced his way back through the mar.
row passage
tTO BE CONTINUEDJ