The Wagner leader. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1912-1912, 1912-02-16


balm swung himself forward, you
drop that. Miss Maclaire is my friend,
and II you say another word I'll smash
you, sheriff or nj sheriff"
Waite glared at him.
"You old fool" he snorted, what
have you got to do with this?"
i've got this to do with, you'll find
spect or I'll blow your damned oh
stinate head off,"
The sheriff laid his hand on Waite's
shoulder.
Come" he said, firmly, this Is no
way to get at 1t. We van to know
certain facts, and then we can pro-
coed lawfully. Let me question the
woman"
The two older men still faced one
another belligerently, but Keith saw
Christie draw the doctor back from
between her and the sheriff.
You may ask me anything you
please" she announced, quietly. Il
am sure these gentlemen will not fight
In my room"
Very well. Miss Maclaire. 1t will
require only a moment. How long
have you known this man Hawley?"
Merely a few days-since l arrived
In Sheridan"
But you were in communication
with him before that?"
The pleasant voice and quiet de-
meanor of the sheriff seemed to yield
the girl confidence and courage.
Yes. he had written me two or
three letters"
You mel him here then by appoint
ment?"
He was to come to Sheridan, and
explain to me more fully what his let
tiers had only limited at"
you possessed no previous knowl
edge OF his purpose?"
were given me later"
"Will you tell us briefly exactly
what Hawley told your"
The girls bewildered eyes wandered
from face to face, then returned to
the waiting sheriff.
"May-may | sit DOWN." she asked.
Most certainly: and don't be afraid,
for really we wish to be your friends"
She sank down into the chair, and
even Keith could see how her slender
form trembled. There was q mo-
ment's silence.
Believe me, gentlemen she began,
f~alteringly, IF there is any fraud, any
conspiracy, l have borne no conscious
part in It. Mr.. Hawley came to me
saying a dying man had left with him
certain papers, naming one. Phyllis
Gale, as heiress to q very large estate
In North Carolina. left by her grand
father In trust. He said the girl had
been taken West. when scarcely two
years old, by her father In q Mt or
drunken rage. and then deserted by
him In st. Louis"
"You-you saw the papers?" Waite
broke In.
YES. those that Hawley had; he
gave them to me to keep for him."
She crossed to her trunk, and came
back. q MANILA envelope In her hand.
Waite opened it hastily, running his
eyes over the contents.
The Internal scoundrel!" he ex-
claimed. holly. These wero stolen
from me at Carson City"
Let me zee them" Tho sheriff
ran them over, merely glancingsat the
endorsements.
Just a. you represented. Waite,"
he said. slowly. "A copy OF the viii,
your commission as guardian, and
memoranda Of identifcatiql. Well.
Miss Maclaire, how did you happen to
be so easily convinced that you were
the lost girl?'
"Mr. Hawley brought me- a picture
which he said was OF this girls half
sister; the resemblance was most
startling. This, with the fact that /
have lev known either father or
mother or my real nam<4 and that my
earlier life was passed. In st. Louis.
sufiiced to make me believe he must
be right"
"You-you-" Waice choked. lean
Ing forward. You don't know your
real manner"
No. do not" her lips barely form
Ing the words. The woman who
brought me up neve told me-"
"Who-who was the waoman?"
"A Mrs. Raymond-Sus Raymoma-
she was on the stage, and died In
Texas-San Antonio, l think"
Waite swore addibly, his eyes nsver
deserving the girls face.
"Hawley told you to say that?"
NO. he did not. SHE protested
warmly. 1T was never even mention
ed between us--at least not Sue Ray
mond's name. What difference can
maker
He stepped forward, ono hand flung
out. and Fairbain .sprarg Instantly be
tween them, installing the action.
Hands on there, Waite. he com
manded. sternly. 'Whakever<she says
goes.v
You laundering olds1diot." the 9th
er exploded. I'm not going to hurt
q. Z=