The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1912-01-12


"Hum-thought you'd be through by
this time-fine lookins girl. amt she?
believe I'll run in and chat with her
myself"
Il would advise you to select some
other time. Doctor" said the younger
drily. ''as the lady has a visitor at
present"
"A visitor?" his face rosy. his
shrewd eyes darkening "Ah. indeed!
OF the male sex?"
Il judge so-'Black Bart Hawley."
Good Lord!" so startled his voice
broke Did be see you?"
Rather; | backed him up against
the wall with a gun while | made my
adieu."
But what brought him there? Are
they acquaipted?"
Don't ask conundrums. Doctor. He
may be your rival with the fair lady
for all l know. If he is. my sympa-
thies are all with you. Only | wouldn't
try to see Miss Christie just now: Id
wait for a clearer field. HawIey Is
probably not in the best of humor"
Fairbain stared into the face of the
speaker. uncertain whether or not he
was being laughed at
Reckon you're right" he acknowl-
edged at last Tired. anyhow-been
out all night-thought I'd like to see
her again. though-finest looking
woman I've met since came West
remarkable eyes-well. I'll go along to
bed-see you again tomorrow. Jack"
Keith watched the sturdy figure
stamp heavily down the hallway,
loose boards creaking under his posi-
tive tread. and smiled to himself at
the thought that he might have. in
deed. become truly interested In the
music hall singer. Somehow. the doc
tor did not harmonic with the con-
ception of love. or fit graciously into
the picture Still. stranger matings
had occurred. and Cupid does not ask
permission before he plays pranks
with hearts. Keith turned again to-
ward the stairs. only to observe a
woman slowly cross the office and
commence the ascent She was in the
shadow. her face even more deeply
shaded by her hat yet he stared at
her in amazement-surely. 1t was
Miss Maclaire. Yet how could 1t be?
He had left that person scarcely five
minutes before in 90" and this stair
way was the only exit. His hand
grasped the rail. his heart throbbing
strangely. as suspicion of the truth
crossed his brain. Could this be
Hope? Could it be that she was here
also? AS her foot touched the land
ing, she saw him. her eyes lighting up
suddenly in recognition. a wave of
color flooding her cheeks.
Why. Captain Keith" she exclaim-
ed. extending her gloved hand frankly.
you have been to my room, and were
going away. am so glad | came in
time"
81 hardly thought to meet you." he
replied. retaining her fingers in his
grasp. When did you reach Sheri- |
DAM" |
Only last night. had no idea you |
were here until Doctor Fairbain |
to mention your name. Then |
| at once begged him to tell you how
anxious | was to see you. |
You see. | was sure you would come |
If you only knew. really thought |
you would be here this morning. and |
In my COON waiting, but
there were some thirgs | actually had |
to have | wasn't out ten minutes. so
you mustn't think | sent you a mes
sage and then forgot
The nature of the mistake was be-
coming apparent. and Keith's gray
eyes smiled as they looked into the
depths of the brown.
Your message had rather an anus
ing result" he said, "as the doctor in
formed me that Miss Christie Maclaire