Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-04-18

i
the dark eyes, and caught the glitter
of the freight on a revolver in her
lowered hand.
What did you expect to find?"
i hardly knew" he explained lame
ly; I'VE stumbled on this hut by acct
dent l didn't know there was q
cabin In all this valley"
Then you are not here for any
purpose! to meet with any one?"
NO; we were lost, and had gone
into camp UP above. when we discov-
cred your light"
Where do you come FROM"
Keith hesitated Just an instant, vet
falsehood was never easy for him and
he saw no occasion for any deceit
now.
Carson CITY,"
What brought you here?"
we started for the Bar X ranch
down below. on the Canadian; got
caught in a sandstone, and then Just
dr1fted. | do not know within twenty
miles OF where we are"
She drew deep breath of uncon-
cealed relief.
Are you alone?"
The negro and I-yes and you
haven't the slightest reason to be
afraid OF us-we're square,
She looked at him searchingly, and
something in Keith's clean-cut face
seemed to bring reinsurance, conf
| dence In the man.
Il am not afraid" she answered,
coming toward him around the short
table. Only it is so lonely here, and
you startled me, bursting in without
warning. But you look all right, and
l am going to believe your story.
What is your name?"
Keith-Jack Keith"
"a cowman?"
"A little Of everything, 1 reckon" a
touch of returning bitterness in the
tone. "A plainsman, who has punched
cattle, but my last Job was govern
nnent scout"
you look as though you might be
more than that" she said slowly
The man flushed, his lips pressing
| tightly together.
We'll, IL may have been" he con-
/ fessed unwillingly. II started out all
/ right. but somehow reckon I just
I went adrift. It's q habit in this coun-
try"
| Apparently those first words of com.
ment had left her lips unthinkingly, for
she made no attempt to reply; merely
stood there directly facing him, her
clear eyes gazing frankly into his
own. He seemed to actually see her
now for the first time, fairly-a sup
pie, slender figure, simply dressed.
with wonderfully expressive brown
eyes, perfect wealth of dark hair, a
clear complexion with slight olive
tinge to it, strong, intelligent face.
not strictly beautiful. yet strangely
attractive, the forehead low and broad,
the nose straight, the lips full and in-
clined to smile. Suddenly vague re-
membrance brought recognition.
/! why, I know you now"
'Indeed!" the single word a note of
undisguished surprise.
Yes; l thought you looked oddly
familiar all the time, but couldn't for
the life of me connect up. You're
Christie Maclaire."
| Am II" her eyes filed with curl.
osity.
"Of course you are. You needn't
/ be afraid of me If you want 1t kept
secret, but know you just the same.
Saw you at the 'Gaiety' in Indepen-
dence, maybe two months ago. l went
three times, mostly on your account.
! You've got great act, and you can
sing too"
She stood in silence, still looking
dxedly at him, her bosom rising and
falling, her lips parted as II to speak.
Apparently she did not know what to
DO, how to act, and was thinking
swiftly.
| Mr.. Keith" she said, at last In de-
cision, II am going to ask you to blot
that all QUITO forget that you even
suspect me of being Christie Maclaire,
of the Gaiety."
why, certainly; but would you ex-
plain?"
There is little enough to explain. 1t
Is sufficient that am here alone with
you. Whether I wish to or not, am
compelled to trust myself to your pro-
lection. You may call me Christie
Macla1re, or anything else you please;
you may even think me unworthy re-
spect, but you possess the face Of q
gentleman, and as such am going to
trust you'll must trust you. Will you
accept my confidence on these
terms7"
Keith did not smile, nor move.
Weak from hunger and fatigue, he
leaned YEARLY against the wall.
Nevertheless that simple, womanly APP