The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1912-02-29
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Stage Door Of the Trocadero.

The Stage Door Of the Trocadero.
Hope discovered very little difficulty
In duplicating the outer garments
Keith reported Miss Maclaire as wear
Ing. The colors, indeed, were not ex-
actly the same, yet this difference was
not sufficient to be noticeable at night
by the eyes of a man who had no rea-
son to suspect deceit. The girl was
In flutter of nervous excitement as
she fastened about the room, donn1ng
her few requirements of masquerade,
yet Keith noted with appreciation that
she became perceptibly cooler as the
moment of departure approached.
With cheeks aflame and eyes spark
ling, yet speaking with a voice re-
vealing no falter, she pressed his arm
and declared herself prepared for the
ordeal. The face under the shadow
Of the mantilla was SO arch and
piquant, Keith could not disguise his
admiration.
Am 1 Christie Maclaire?" she asked
laughirgly.
Sufficiently so to fool our friend"
he returned. but am ready to swear
that lady never looked so charming
"A compliment, and spoken as
though you really meant it"
Have l not been honest enough
with you in the past to be credited
with honesty now?" he protested, lit
tie hurt by the bantering tone.
"Of course you have; I merely talk
lightly to keep my courage up. You
can have no idea how afraid 1 am"
Then you are truly an actress, for
yoa appear the picture of enjoyment.
But we must go, or Hawley will be
there before us, and thus spoil all our
plans"
They passed out through the Office
together, seeing no one familiar to
either, Hope keeping her face par
TALLY concealed. The east side Of the
street was less frequented than the
other, having fewer saloons along its
way, and they chose its darkness. AS
they advanced, the long habit of from
tier life caused Keith to glance be-
hind before they had progressed a
block, and he was thus made aware
that they were being followed. Con-
versing lightly, and without word
to alarm the girl, he managed to OBJ
g<r-e every movement of the dimly
outlined figure which advanced with
them, timing every motion to theirs.
Long before they crossed the street
to the Trocadero he was convinced
there was no mistake-the fellow,
whoever he might be, was trailing
them. Keith smiled grimly to himself,
resolving that as soon as he had left
son not soon to be forgotten.
They barely entered the outer circle
of the Trocadero lights, noting group
Of men thronging about the doors, and
hearing the sound of the band within,
and then turned swiftly down the mar
row dark alleyway leading toward the
stage entrance. Keith, having been
there before, advanced confidently, but
Hope, her heart beating wildly, chung
to his arm, scarcely venturing a word
in reply to his whispered assurances.
Fortunately they encountered no one,
and Keith, feeling cautiously in the
dark, easily succeeded in locating the
opening to the vestibule. Listening
intently he became convinced that no
one occupied the little shed. He had
intended to remain with the girl until
the time came for her to emerge, but
the remembrance of that figure logging
them all the way from the hotel now
caused a change of plan. He held
her hand closely clasped in his.
"Now, Hope, am going to leave
you," he whispered, land your own
wit will have to carry you through.
know you will play your part all right,
and 1t will be mine to wait for Chris
tie, and give her some explanation OF
why Hawley failed to meet her as he
promised. 1t will never do for her to
suspect, until you have time to learn
all possible You are not afraid?"
"Yes, am" clinging to him, but
but I am going through it just the
same"
1.-The truest kind of courage, my
girl. Now slip inside, but hold the
door ajar. Hawley will certainly be
here within ten minutes, and you must
Join him at once, or else the other
might appear. You can judge as to
it's being him even in this darkness.
Goodbye"
The longing to clasp her in his
arms, to speak the language of his
heart, was almost overwhelming, yet
the memory of that figure sinking
along behind them, and the brief time