Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1912-01-10


from home when only a boy. and
naturally drifted into evil company.
His ono ambition is to break away.
and redeem himself. am so anxious
to help him. and wish you could real.
IKE his purpose. as do, and become
his friend. Won't you, for my sake!
Why, even in this affair he has not
the slightest mercenary purpose-he
has only thought OF what was rightful
ly mine"
Keith listened. feeling to the full the
woman's earnestness. the impoesibilL
ty OF changing her fixed conviction.
Hawley had planted his seed deep and
well in fruitful soil,
you make strong and charming
advocate. Miss Maclaire." he returned.
feeling the necessity Of saying some
thing. II should like to have you
equally earnest on my side. Yet It
will be hard to convince me that
Black Bart is the paragon OF virtue
you describe. wish might believe
for your sake Did he also explain
how he came into possession Of thess
papers?
.Oh. yes. indeed: there 10 no secret
about that. They we're entrusted to
him by an old man whom he discov'
cred sick in Independence. and who
died In his rooms three years ago
Mr.. Hawley has been searching ever
since for the old mans granddaughter
It is remarkable how he vas finally
convinced that was the one.
"A photograph. was It not!"
A CLEAN Of sudden suspicion ap
peared in the brown eyes. slight
change in facial expression.
That was q clue. yes. but far from
being all. But why should l tell you
this you believe nothing I say
Il believe that you believe; that
you are fully convinced Of the tustics
Of your claim. Perhaps It 10 just. but
am suspicious Of anything which
Bart Hawley has 4 hand in. Miss
Christie, you really make me wish to
retain your friendship. but cannot
do SO II tho cost includes faith IN
Hawley. Do you know that 10 not
even his name that no lives under On
alias?"
rs there anything strange In that
out here!" she asked stoutiy. Il told
you how deeply he regretted his life:
that alone would be sum Client cause
for him to drop his family name. Did
you ever learn his true name? =
He was not sure only - Neb had
reported what Waite had called the
man. yet ventured direct reply.
Bartlett. L believe--he uses It nov
q q prefix"
Observation-Disclosures" her hands
clasping. and unclasptns nervously.
why. what strange condolences!
How! What do you mean?''
"Oh. nothing nothing" biting her
lips In vexation. THE name merely
recalled something. But really. Unjust
60. Mr.. Keith. or l shall be late 1t the
theater. You have not attended since
! camel" .S..5
NO" arising from the table with
her However. j have heard you
sing before. and hope ! may again.
How tenderly you dwell on that
word hope" she said banteringly. 1t
almost makes me envious.
your resemblance almost makes
me forget"
But not gutter
mo. NOT quite" he confessed.
smiling back into her quixzing eyes.
They went out into the hall togeth'
er. only to meet with Doctor Fsirbain
at the door. The latter stared At the
two with some embarrassment. for .
moment forgetful OF his purpose. His
gaze settled on the face Of the lady.
Always getting you two mixed. he
blurted forth. Never saw such 70
semblance-positively uncanny--sams
hotel too means nouble-this Miss
Waiter
mo. Doctor; I am Miss Maclaire. :
Ought to have known tiff l knew
~ much about faces as do about an.
atomy never would make such mis-
take sorry-whst fooled me was
seeing you with Keith-thought he
was after the other one-gay dog
though-neyer satisned-was hunting
after you.
After me!" evidently amused.
"Certeinly-zyou-went to the room
then to the clerk-said you were
In At supper-just occurred to me
streets here bad at niEht-thought I'd
ask you to lot me escort you to thea
ter and back-a bit Of lunch later
he glanced suspiciously ut Keith
probably got here too late. +"
We'll. really. you have. Doctor.
she replied sweetly, yelling her eyea
to hide their laughter. But can ~
sure you 1t Is not Mr.. Keith" cour,
tesying slightly to the latter. for he
has not honored me; We merely met
by chance at the table. am sure |
should enjoy your company exceeding.
IT, but tonight must plead . previ,
Gus engagement"
"Ah-ah. some other night1"
with pleasure. yes.
The doctor faded away Into the Of
nee. not wholly satisfied because Keith
still fingered. Miss Christie extended
her hand.
Isn't he . funny man? But I do like
him-someway ! like so many people
whom perhaps ought not Including
you, MI. Jack Keith. Please think
over what | told you about Mr.. Hav-
ley. won't you?" 81.
Certainly: you have given me food
for thought | presume he ID to b
your escort?"
She bowed. evidently resentinE the
question.
Eyes, and It may interest you 70
know that he has something Of the ut
most Importance to tell me tonight
he has actually seen my guardian.
Don't you wish you could be .there?"
She gave him tantalixing smile.
Withdrawing her hand. and running
up the stairs before he could answer.
Over the railing OF the landing she
glanced down. ard then disappeared.
tTO BE cONTINUEDl
''But he's . splendid bloodhound.
''Then BY your own admission, he's
only worth q scent"