Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1912-08-30

believed her to be Christie Naclaire
at that time, but somethind might
have occurred since to change that be
lief. Anyhow, the man was not now
seeking Hope. out the other. Appar
emily the latter was either already
here In Sheridan or expected soon
And exactly what was it the gambler
desired this Maclaire woman to dol
This was the important matter and
for It's solution Keith possessed mere
i few hints, few vague suggestions
She was expected to represent herself
as Phyllis-Phyllis who? Some Phyl
lis surely whose physical resemblance
to Hope must be sufficiently marked
to be at once noticeable. Willoughby
had evidently revealed to Hawley
some hidden family secret, having
money involved. no doubt, and In
which the discovery of this mysteri'
GUS Phyllis figured. She might, per
haps, be a sister, or half-sister, who
had disappeared, and remained ignor
$500 W " any AAOPS
picture shown by the boy, and re-
minding Hawley at once of Christie
Maclaire, had been the basis of the
whole plot. Exactly what the details
OF that plot might be Keith could not
figure out, but one thing was reason
ably certain-it was proposed to de-
fraud Hope. And who In the very
truth was Hope? 1t suddenly occurred
to him as a remarkably strange fact
that he possessed not the slightest
inkling as to the girls name. Her
brother had assumed to be called VIII
loughby when he enlisted in the army
and his companions continued to call
him this. If he could interview the
girl now for only five minutes he
should be able probably to straighten
out the whole intricate tangle. But
where was she? Would she have re-
manned until this time at Fort Larned
with Kate Murphy?
There was a noise of movement in
the next room. Apparently as Hawley
arose carelessly from his edge of the
washstand he had dislodged the glass,
which fell shivering on the floor. Scott
swore audibly at the loss.
Shut up. BILL" snapped the gam
bier. trritated. you've got the bottle
left. I'm going; there's nothing for
any of us to do now, until after | see
Christie. You remain herel Do you
understand ?-remain here. Damn me,
If that drunken fool isn't waking up"
There was rafting of the rickety
bed. and then the sound of Willough.
by's voice, thick from liquor.
Almighty glad to see you, Bart
am, indeed. Want money-Bill an
both want money-can't drink with
out money-can't eat without money
shay, when you goin' stake us?"
I'm see you again in the morning.
Fred" returned the other briefly. Go
on back to sleep"
VIII when | git good an ready
go sleep. stay wake, just as please
don't care damn what yer do-got
new frien' now"
"A new friend? Who?" Hawley
spoke with aroused interest.
"Oh, he's all right-he's mighty fine
fellow-come in wisout in-invita-
tion-called her Hope-you fool, Bart
Hawley, think my sister Christie
Christie-damfino the name-my sis
ter, Hope-don't want yer money
my-my new friend, he'll stake me
he knows my sister-Hope."
The gambler grasped the speaker,
shaking him into some slight SEM
blance of sobriety.
Now, look here, Willoughby, want
the truth, and mean to have It," he in
sisted. Has some one been in here
while Scott was gomez"
"Sure---didn't just tell yer?-
| friend O Hopes"
who was he? Speak up! want
the name!"
There was faint gurgling sound.
as though the gamblers vice-like fin
gers were at the boys throat; slight
struggle, and then the choked voice
gasped out:
Let up damn yer! He called him.
self Jack Keith"
(TO BE CONTINUEDJ