Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-07-04

4n%9
Keith Elbowed His Way Through the
Heterogeneous Crowd.
him also. The latter broke silence
with a quick, jerky utterance. which
seemed to peculiarly fit his personal
appearance.
Damn it all-know you, sir-sure
l debut for life Of me can't tell
where"
Keith stared across at him moro
searchingly, and replied, rather in
differently;
Probably mistake then, as 1 have
no recollection of your face"
Never MADE a mistake, sir-never
forget a face" the other snapped with
some show Of indignation, his hands
now clasped on the table. one stubby
torehnger pointed, as he leaned for
ward, Don't tell me-Tve seen you
semewhere-no, not a word-don't
even tell me your name-I'm going to
think Of it,
Keith smiled. not unwilling to humor
the mans eccentricity. and returned to
his meal, with only an occasional in
quiring glance across the table. The
other sat and stared 1T him. his
heavy eyebrows wrinkled as be sting.
gled 70 awaken memory. The Younger
man HAD begun on his pie when the
face opposite suddenly cleared.
Damn me, I've got it-hell. yes:
hospital henandoah-buIlet i'm
bedded under third Extraordinary case
that's why l forgot-clear as laud
now-get the name in minute-Cap-
tain-Captain Keith-that's it-shake
hands,"
PUZZLED at the unexpected recogni-
uon, yet realizing the friendliness OF
the man. Keith grasped the pudgy fin.
gers extended with some cordially.
Don't remember me s'pose-don't
think you ever saw me-delirious
when came - hate to tell you
what you was talking about-gave
you hypodermic first thing-behaved
weH enough though when 1 dug out
the lead-Minie bullet, badly blunted
hitting the rib-thought you might
die with blood poison-couldn't stay
20 see-to damn much to do-evident-
" didn't though-remember me now ?"
No, only from what you say. You
must have been at General Waite's
headquarters"
That's it-oharge of Stonewan's
field hospital-just happened to ride
into Waite's camp that n!ght-damn
lucky for you did-young snip there
wanted to saw the bone-I stopped
that-liked your face-imagined YOU
might be worth. saving-ain't so sure
OF 1t now, or you wouldn't be out IN
this God forsaken country, eating
such grub-my names Fairbain-JQ-
seph Wright Fairbain. NJ. D.-contraet
surgeon for the railroad-working on
the line?"
Keith shook his head, feeling awak-
ening interest in his peculiar com
panion.
mo; Just drifted in here from down
on the Arkansas" he explained brief
ly. Did you know General Waite
was dead?"
The doctors rudy face whitened.
"Dead?-Willis Waite dead?" he re-
peated. What do you mean, sir? Are
you sure7 When?"
II ought to be sure; I buried him
Just this side the Cimmaron Crossing
out on the Santa Fe trail"
"But do you know It was General
Waiter" the mans insistent tone full
Of doubt.
Il have no question about IT," re-
turned Keith, conclusively. THE man
was Waite's size and general appear
ance, with gray beard similar to the
one remember he wore during the
war. He had been scalped, and his
face beaten beyond recognition, but
papers in his pockets were sufficient
to prove his identity. Besides, he and
his companioR-a young fellow named
Sibley-were known to have pulled out
two days before from Carson City"
when was this?"
"Ten days ago"
Fairbanks lips smiled, the rudy
coloring sweeping back into his
cheeks.
Damn me. Keith, you came near
giving me shock" he said jerkily.
Shouldn't be so careless-not sure
my hearts Just right-tendency to
apoplexy, too-got to be guarded
against, Now, let me tell you some
thtng-maybe you buried some poor
devil out at Cimmaron Crossing-but
It wasn't Willis Waite How do
know? Because saw him, and talked
with him yesterday-damn me, II
didn't, right here in this town"
CHAPTER XVII.