The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1912-08-23
CHAPTER xV
AnaIn ehrIs,s MaeIaIre.

NNaN RVlNhAlr WaAlaNFs
Keith possessed sufficient means Tor
several months OF idlcncss. and even
n he had not. his reputation as
plains scout would insure him employ
mcnt at any Of the more important
scattered army posts. Reliable men
for such service were In demand The
restlessness OF the various Indian
tribes. made specially manifest by
raids on the more advanced settle.
ments, and extending over a const9ut'
ly widening territory. required contln
uous Interchange Of communication
between commanders Of dotachmcntS.
Bold and reckless spirits had flocked
TO the frontier IN those days follow
ing the Ciyil War. yet all were not OF
the type TO encourage confidence IN
military authorities. Keith had al
ready frequently served In this ca
paclty. and abundantly proved his
worth under rigorous demands Of both
endurance and intelligence. and he
could feel assured Of permanent EN-
ployment whenever desired Not n
few OF the more prominent officers he
had met personally during the late
war-including Sheridan. TO whom ho
had once borne a dag OF truce-yet
the spirit OF the Confedcracy stlll lin.
gercd In his heart. not In any feeling
OF either hatred or revenge. but In an
unwillingncss 10 serve tho blue uni
form. and memory Of antngonism
which would not entirely disappear
He had surrendered at AppomattoS
conquered. yet he could not quite ad
Just himself to becoming companion.
in.arms with those against whom he
had fought vRliantly for four years
Some Of the wounds Of that conflict
sun smarted A natural soldier. anN'
ious to help the hnrasscd settlers,
eager enough 10 be actively employed.
he still held aloof from army connec.
lions except as volunteer In case Of
emergency.
Just now other considerations
caused him To desire freedom. lie
had been accused Of murder. impris.
oncd for II. and In order 10 escape.
had been compelled to steal horses.
the most helnous crime OF the from.
tier. Not only for his own protec.
ton and safety must the truth OF that
occurrence at the Cimmaron Crossing
be made clear. but he also had now a
personal aiiair with BLACK Bart" Haw.
ley to be permanently settled. They
had already FLASHED twice. and Keith
intended they should meet again.
Memory OF the girl was still In his
mind as he and Neb rode silently
forth on the black prairie, leading the
extra horse behind him. He cndeay.
orcd TO drive the recollection from his
mind. so he might concentrate II upon
plans for the future. but somehow she
mysteriously wove her own PERSONAL
" into those plans and he was ever
seeing the pleading In her eyes. and
listening TO the soft Southern accent
OF her voice, or late years no had
been unaccustomed TO association
with women Of high type, and there
was that touch OF the gentleWoman
about this girl which had awakened
deep interest or course he knew that
IN her case II was merely an lnheri'
lance " her past, and could not truly
ftlItnfNh NV Nl'hNNA NNllHAF va
claire OF the music hSls, However
fascinating she might be. she could
not be worthy any serious considera
tlon. In spite Of his rough HE the
social spirit Of the Old South was I'm.
planted In bis blood, and no woman OF
that class could hold him captive, Yet,
some way she refused 10 be banlshcd
or left behind Even Neb must have
been obsessod by a similar spirit for
he suddenly observed
dat am sutt'nly mighty fine gal
Massa Jack amt seen nothin' to
compare wild her since ! quit OIL Viz
ginla-'deed ! amt"
Keith glanced back at his black
satellite, barely able TO distinguish
the fellows dim outlines,
You think her a lady, them" he
questioned. giving thoughtless utter