The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1912-01-25

did I not tell you1 No; then 1t
was an oversight. This was about the
throat of one of the men l buried at
Cimmaron Crossing, bpt-but, Hope,
It was not your father.T
Il know" her voice choking slight
~. Mrs. Murphy found that out;
that Is why I am here. / heard my
father came to Sheridan, and wanted
yon to help me find him.
He was thinking and did not answer
1t once. and she went on in some
alarm.
DO you know anything about him.
Captain Keith? Where 10 he! why
Is he here! Don't be afraid to tell
me-"
He pressed the locket back into her
hand, retaining the latter, unresisted,
within his own.
Il have not seen your father, Hope,
but he was certainly here few days
ago, for Fairbain met him. They were
together in the army. l am going to
tell you all l know-it seems to be a
tangled web, but the ends must be
somewhere, although, confess, am
all at sea-"
He told it slowly and simply, bring
ing forth his earlier suspicion, and
how he had stumbled upon facts ap-
parently confirming them. He related
her fathers robbery, his loss of valu-
able papers, and the conversation be-
tween Hawley and Scott which led to
the suspicion that these same pa
pers had fallen into the hands
CT the former, and were the
basis of his plot Hope listened,
bresthless with interest, her widely
opened eyes filled with wonder. AS
he concluded speaking she burst
forth
But don't understand in the least,
Captain Keith. Why did this man
Hawley send me to the Salt Fork?"
HE thought he was dealing with
Christie Maclaire. He had some rea-
son for getting her away; getting her
where he could exercise influence over
her"
"Yes-yes; but who is she?"
THAT is what makes the matter so
know herself Hawley is going to
take advantage of her Haorance in
this respect, and convince her that
she Is the person he wishes her to
represent-but who is the person? II
we knew that we might block the
game"
Both sat silent. striving to figure
out some reasonable explanation.
do you know of any special papers
your father carried?" he asked.
mo; none outside his business
agreements.
Has any one ever disappeared con-
nected with your family? Did you
have an older sister,"
Fred and l were the only children.
Why should you ask that question -
Because something of that nature
would seem to be the only rational ex-
PLANTATION. Your brother must have
told Hawley mething-sone family
secret-which he felt could be utilized
to his own advantage. Then he saw
your picture, and was Immediately re-
minded Of the remarkable resem-
blance between you and Christie
Maclaire. Evidently this discovery
fitted into his plan, and made it pos
sible for him to proceed. He has been
trying ever since to get an interview
with the woman, to sound her, and
ind out what he can do with her. He
has written letters. sufficiently ex.
plicit to make it clear his scheme ID
based upon a will drawn, as he claims,
by Christie's grandfather. No doubt
by this time he has fully convinced
the girl that she is the rightful heiress
to property-as he stated to Scott
valued at over a million dollars. That's
a stake worth fighting for, and these
two will make a hard combination.
He's got the papers, or claims to have,
and they must be the ones stolen from
your father have been trusting you
might know something in your family
history which would make it all
plain"
But l do not" decisively. "Ycu
must believe me; not so much as q
hint of any secret has ever reached
me. There are only the four Of us,
Father, Mother, Fred, and 1. am
sure there can be no secret; nothing
which l would not know. Perhaps, II
l could see Miss Maclaire-"
81 am convinced that would be use
less" he interrupted, rising, and pa
cling across the floor. IF Hawley has
convinced her of the justice Of the
claim, he will also have pledged her
to secrecy. He is working out of sight
like a mole, for he knows the fraud.
and will never come to the surface
until everything is in readiness. l
know, better way; I'll find Fred, and
bring him here. He would tell you
whatever it was he told Hawley, and
that will give us the clue"
He picked up his hat from the table,
but she rose to her feet, holding forth
her hands.
Il cannot thank you enough, Cap
tain Keith" she exclaimed frankly.
you are doing - much. and with no
personal Inherent"
'Oh. but have" K
The lcng lashss lroppsd over ~
brown syss.
WAS& 10 yeu neaaf'
"TAAt haSs . DsRosoai lntHee-,h
you. HopA