Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1912-01-16
CHAPTER XVII.
Miss Hope Suggests.

No sooner had Miss Maclaire van.
ished than Keith's thoughts turned to-
ward Hope Waite. She would need
someone in her loneliness to take her
mind from off her brothers death.
and. besides. much had occurred of
interest since the funeral. which he
desired to talk over with her Be
yond even these considerations he was
becoming aware of pleasure in the
girls company altogether foreign TO
this mystery which they were en-
deavoring together to solve. He
yearned to be with her. to look into
her face, to mark how clearly the diff
fering soul changed her from Christie
Maclaire lie could not help but like
the latter. yet somehow was conscious
of totally different atmospheres sur
rounding the two. With one he could
be flppant. care ess. even deceitful.
but the other aroused only the best
that was in him. her own sincerity
making him sincere.
Yet there was reluctance In his
steps as he approached the door Of
rs" laggardness he could not ex-
plain. but which vanished swiftly
enough at Hopes greeting. and the
sudden smile with which she recog-
nized him
Il was sure you would come" she
declared frankly. land took an early
lunch so as TO be certain and be here
1t has seemed a long time since"
And you might have even thought
had forgotten" he answered. releasing
her hand reluctantly. IF YOU could
have looked into the dining-room
since, instead OF staring out OF these
windows
Why? How forgotten" her eyes
opening wide in surprise.
Il had the pleasure of taking supper
with Miss Maclaire."
OH" the exclamation decidedly ex.
pressive
Yes, ! come at once to you with
the confession. However. our meet
ing was purely accidental and so
hope tor pardon"
Pardon from me? Why. what diff
ference can ii possibly make to he?'
Would you have me cousort with
the enemy?" he asked, scarcely daring
to press his deeper meaning
oh, no. of course not What did
you talk about? Do you mind telling
Not in the least; our conversation
vas entirely impersonal She was
telling me about Hawley. what a won,
derlully good man he is, have he
n 70
cinated the poor girl-he is n good
looking devil. possessed of a tongue
dripping with honey"
Surely you do not mean she has
fallen in love with him" and Hope
shuddered ut the thought Why
why that would be impossible for
for good woman"
Standards OF morality are not al.
ways the same" he defended gravely.
Miss Maclaires environment has
been vastly different from yours,
Hope She is variety lan singer:
probably, from her own account. a
waff since childhood; and Hawley has
come TO her in the character OF a
friend appealing both TO her interest
an love With him. merely suspect she
may be: certainly she is ready TO do
battle on his behalf al the slightest
opportunity she believes in him. de-
tends him. and resents the slightest
insiuuatiou directed against him lie
even escorts her back aud forth from
her work
~Yon know thfse"
Il certainly do. and he laughed at
the recollection. "Fairbajn met US
coming out OF the dining voom--you
know what delightful, blunt oluDdcr-
ing fellow he is, Well. Miss Christie
must have made an impression even
on his bachelor heart. for he actually
requested the privilege OF eScortuS
her 10 the TrocaieTo. and back 10 The
hotel after the performance tonight
limited at lunch the gay old dog
and pranced about ike stase-coor
Johnnie Il was 8 treat 20 watch her
face when he blurted it all ont. snap
ping his sentences as il he swung
waip-lash she excused herself on
the score Of a previous engagement
But that was net necessarily with
Hawley."