Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-06-27

y know" her voice choking slight
". Mrs. Murphy found that out;
that is why am here. heard my
father came to Sheridan, and wanted
you to help me find him.
He was thinking and did not answer
at once, and she went on in some
alarm.
DO you know anything about him,
Captain Keith? Where is he? Why
is he here? Don't be afraid to tell
me-"
He pressed the locket back into her
hand, retaining the latter, unresisted,
within his own.
Il have not seen your father, Hope,
but he was certainly here a few days
ago, for Fairbain met him. They were
together in the army. am going to
tell you all know-it seems to be a
tangled web, but the ends must be
all at sea-"
He told 1t slowly and simply, bring
ing forth his earlier suspicion, and
how he had stumbled upon facts ap-
parently confirming them. He related
her fathers robbery, his loss Of valu-
able papers. and the conversation be-
tween Hawley and Scott which led to
the suspicion that these same pa
pers had fallen into the hands
Of the former, and were the
basis of his plot. Hope listened.
breathless with interest, her widely
opened eyes filled with wonder. AS
he concluded speaking she burst
forth:
But don't understand in the least,
Captain Keith. Why did this man
Hawley send me to the Salt Fork?"
He thought he was dealing with
Christie Maclaire. He had some rea
son for getting her away; getting her
where he could exercise influence over
her"
"Yes-yes; but who is she?"
THAT is what makes the matter sc
hard to unravel She doesn't even
know herself Hawley is going to
take advantage of her ignorance in
this respect, and convince her that
she is the person he wishes her tc
represent-but who Is the person? II
we knew that We might block the
game"
Both sat silent, striving to figure
out some reasonable explanation.
DO you know of any special paperl
your father carried?" he asked.
mo; mono outside his business
agreements"
Has any ono ever disappeared con
nected with your family? Did yor
have an older sister?"
Fred and l were the only children
Why should you ask that question? 2
Because something Of that nature
would seem to be the only rational 81
| PLANTATION Your brother must hav'
told Hawley something-some famil!
secret-which he felt could be utilized
! to his own advantage. Then he saw
your picture, and was Immediately re
minded of the remarkable resem
blance between you and Christi
| Maclaire Evidently this discover
! fitted into his plan, and made it pos
sible for him to proceed. He has bee
trying ever since to get an interview
with the woman, to sound her, an
has written letters, sufficiently ea
| plicit to make It clear his scheme
based upon will drawn, as he claims
by Christie's grandfather. No doub
by this time he has fully convince
the girl that she is the rightful heires
to property-as he stated to Scott
valued at over million dollars. That
a stake worth fighting for, and thes
two will make a hard combination
He's got the papers, or claims to hav'
and they must be the ones stolen froI
your father have been trusting 20
might know something in your famil
history which would make 1t a
plain"
But l do not" decisively. "Yo
must believe me; not so much as
hint of any secret has ever reache
me- There are only the four OF u
Father, Mother Fred. and l. l al
sure there can be no secret; nothin
which would not know. Perhaps,
l could see Miss Maclaire-"
II am convinced that would be US
less" he interrupted, rising, and p
cling across the floor. IF Hawley hs
convinced her of the justice of tn
claim, he will also have pledged he
to secrecy He is working out of sigi
like mole, for he knows the frau
and will never come to the surfas
until everything is in readiness.
know better way; I'll find Fred, ar
bring him here. He would tell ye
whatever it was he told Hawley, ar
that will give us the clue"
He picked up his hat from the tabl
but she rose to her feet, holding for
her hands.
II cannot thank you enough, Ca
tain Keith" she exclaimed frankl
You are doing 80 much, and with ]
i personal interest"
ooh hut have"