Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-07-11
CHAPTER XVIII.
interviewing WIIIouahby.

In tho room, and sat down. Miss
Hope-more widely known as Christie
Maclaire-had claimed this drunken
lad as her brother, but, according to
Hawley, he had vehemently denied
any such relationship. Yet there must
be some previous association between
the two. and what this was the plains
man proposed to discover. The prob
lem was how best to cause the fellow
to talk frankly-oould he be reached
more easily by reference to the girl
or the gambler? Keith studying the
sullen, obstinate face confronting
him. with instructive antagonism over
his intrusion, swiftly determined on
the girl
1T was not very nice OF me to come
In on you this way" he began, apollo
geically, but you see I happened to
know your sister"
My sister? Oh. guess notl"
Eyes, but 1 do" throwing a con.
hdence into his tone he was far from
feeling, Miss Hope and are friends. 4"
The boy sprang to his feet. his face
flushed.
"Oh. you mean Hope? Do you know
herr Say, thought you were giving
me that old gag about Christie
Maclaire."
Certainly not; who is she?"
That's more than / know; fellow
came TO me at Carson. and said he'd
met my sister on a stage west of To
peka. I knew he was lynn, because
she's home over in Missouri Finally,
! got It out Of him that she claimed 10
be my sister. but her name was
Maelsire. Why, don't even know
her, and what do you suppose she
ever picked me out for her brother
for?"
He was plainly puzzled. and perfect
ly convinced 1t was all a mistake.
That his sister might have left home
since he did, and drifted West under
an assumed mama, apparently never
occurred to him as possible. To Keith
this was the explanation, and nothing
could be more natural, considering
her work. yet he did not feel like
shattering the lads loyalty. Faith in
the sister might yet save him.
Perhaps the fellow who told YOU"
he hazarded blindiy. speaking the first
thought which came to his mind, had
some reason to desire TO make you
think this Maclaire girl was your sis
ter"
The suggestion caused him TO laugh
at first; then his face suddenly sob
cred, as though new thought had oo-
CURED to him.
"Damn me, no, It couldn't be that"
he exclaimed, enc hand pressing his
head. 'He couldn't be workin' no
trick Of that kind on me-"
Whom do you mean?"
"a fellow named Hawley." evasive-
ly. THE man who claimed to have
met my sister"
"'Black Bart Hawley?"
The boy lifted his head again. his
eyes filed with suspicion.
Yes. II you must know: he's
gambler ali right but he's stuck to
me when I was down and out You
know him?'
Just little" oarelessly; "but what
sort OF trick could he be working
trying to make you acknowledge
Christie Maolaire as your sister,"
Willoughby did not answer, shifting
uneasily about on the bed. Keith
waited, and at last the boy blurted
out:
"Oh, 1T wasn't nothing much. told
him something when / was drunk
once. that l thought maybe might
have stuck to him. Odd he should
make that mistake. too, for I showed
him Hopes picture. Bart.s a schemer,
and I didn't know but what he might
have figured out a trick, though
don't see how he could. It wasn't no
more than q pipe dream, / reckon.
Where did you meet Hopef Back in
Missouri"
One thing was clearly evident-the
boys faith in his sister. If he was
to be rightly Influenced, and led back
to her, he must have no suspicion
aroused that her life was any differ
ent from what It had been before he
left home. Besides II Keith hoped to
gain any inkling of what Hawley's
purpose could be, he must win the
confidence of Willoughby. This could
not be done by telling him Of Hopes
present life. These considerations
flashed through his mind, and as swift
" determined his answer.
"Oh, I've known her some time. Not
long ago did her service for which
she is grateful. Did you know she
was out in this country searching for
your"
"Out here? In Kansas?"
Sure; that isn't much of q trip
for spirited girl. She got It in her
head from your letters that you we're
In trouble, and set out to find you
and bring you home. She didn't tell
me this, but that is the way l heard It.
1t was for her sake l came In here
Why not go to her. Willoughby, and
then both of you return to Missouri"
The sullenness had gone out of the
boys face; he looked tired. discour-
aged.
Where is Hopper" he asked
Fort Larned. suppose. She went
to Carson City first"
We'll, that settles IT," shaking his
head. You don't suppose I could go