Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-01-25
I CHATTER xxvli. CONTINUED.

CertainiylnCt, All fiFst ii struck me
Is altogether wrong. but the more
think az 1t the stronger Ii Appeals to
me. may reveal to US the whole
conspiracy, and cannot believe Haw-
ley would venture upon any gross
familiarity likely to cost him the good
opinion Of his ally There Is too much
4 at stake. Wait here. Hope. and will
Be back the very moment learn all
that is necessary
A glance at the ONCE clock con
yinced Keith that In ali probability.
Misp Maciaire had not. as yet. de-
parted for the scene Of her evening
triumph Still It could not be- long
before she would: and. he HI cigar.
sitting down In a corner partially
concealed BY the clerk q desk to walt
her appearances This required longer
than anticipated and fearing lest be
might have missed the departure ems
tireiy. be was about to question the
busy Thomas. wsaen be- beheid Hawley
enter hurriediy from the street and
run up the stairs, He. then. had been
the faggard All the better. as he
would now have no opportunity % lns
tod hist tale to the lady as II would
be necessary for them to hurry to the
i theater Whatever the nature OF the
revelation It would have tol walt until
the walk home The excitement Of
the adventure was already creeping
into Keith blood his pulse quicken.
ing. H.
The two returned almost immedis
ateiy. conelusipely proving that Miss
Maclaire fully dressed for the street.
I had been awaiting the arrival 81 her
gaitant with spma impatience Fiawiey
vas busify explaining his delay as
they came down the stairs. and paid
iittle attention 10 the zeeningly de-
1 serted office: indeed, Miss Christie
monopolized an hiR thoughts With
quick scrutiny the watcher noted the
more conspicuous articles sof apparel
\ constituting her costume the white
rnantilla thrown over her head. the
I neatly ntting blue dress. the light
cape covering the shoulders surely
II would not be difacult to duplicate
these. SO as to pass muster under the
dim light OF the streets, Far enough
i IN their rear to feel safe from obser.
walton be followed. noting with In
creased pleasure the Fapidity with
1 which they covered the required dis
lance Clearly Miss Christie was aI.
H ready nervous lest she have nor SUIT.
llcient time remaining IN which to
properly dress for her act Ind Tiers
would be no exchange of conildences9
+ oil the outward journey HawIey left
her. as Keith anticipated. at the stage
entrance. the lady Fastening within.
Her escort strolled leisnrely back tos
the front Of the house. and tinaiiy:
purchasing q ticket, entered. the per-
foFlnanee already having begun
Keith knew perfectly the arrange
4 menl or the theater- -the seats ID
h 'front.' tables all through the center: s.
4 y gallery filled With benches; NOISY
orchestra beneath the staga: 4 crowd,
I'd Radience iii men. with only mere.
and there scattered reDfesentafive
q the gentler sex busy walters d0dg.
tbs II and out among the tables, and
gown the aisles. filling orders tor
liq1Its from the nearby saloon. me
ar would u peingent with the odor
) ~ drink, thick with the fumes 81 <u.
4 baeco. and noisy with voices. sxcept
as some special tavorite on the staee
N0n temporary attention The TrOca 4
dero possessed but one redeemfhR
/ feature NO DOORWAY connected slaae
ana auditorium, and tlie management