River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-01-04
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 He could not help but like
the latter. yet somehow was conscious
of totally different atmospheres sur
rounding the two. With one he could
be fippant, careless, 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
''15,' a laggardness he could not ex-
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 long time since"
And you might have even thought
10 h. fvrv
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 for pardon"
Pardon from me? Why. what diff
ference can it possibly make to me?"
Would you have me consort 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?"
mot in the least; our conversation
was entirely impersonal. She was
telling me about Hawley; what won
derfully good man he is. | have be-
gun to suspect the fellow has fas-
cinated the poor girl-he is a 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 at the thought Why
why that would be impossible for
for a good woman"
Standards of morality are not al
ways the same" he defended gravely.
Miss Maclaire's environment has
been vastly different from yours,
Hope She Is variety hall singer;
probably. from her own account. a
waif since childhood: and Hawley has
come to her in the character of a
friend appealing both to her interest
and sympathy. | do not know she is
in love with him, merely suspect she
may USs CSIldiHIg sue 10 1SoUy " w
battle on his behalf at the slightest
opportunity She believes in him. de-
tends him. and resents the slightest
insinuation directed against him. He
even escorts her back and forth from
her work"
You know this?"
Il certainly do" and he laughed at
the recollection. 'Fairbain met us
coming out OF the dining room-you
know what a delightful, blunt. blInder-
ing fellow he is! Well. Miss Christie
must have made an impression even
on his bachelor heart. for he actually
requested the privilege of escorting
her to the Trocadero. and back to the
hotel after the performance tonight
limited at lunch the gay old dog.
and pranced about like a stage-door
Johnnie. It was treat to watch her
face when he blurted it all out. snap
ping his sentences as if he swung a
whip-lash. She excused herself on
the score of previous engagement"
But that was not necessarily with
Hawley."