The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1912-02-02


naturally drifted into evil company.
His one ambition is to break away.
and redeem himself. | am so anxious
to help him. and wish you could real
ize his purpose. as | do. and become
his friend. Won't you, for mx sake?
Why, even in this affair he has not
the slightest mercenary purpose-he
has only thought of what was rightful-
ly mine"
Keith listened, feeling to the full the
woman's earnestness, the tmpossibili-
ty of changing her fixed conviction.
Hawley had planted his seed deep and
we'll in fruitful soil
You make a strong and charming
advocate. Miss Maclaire." he returned.
feeling the necessity of saying some
thing. Il should like to have you
equally earnest on my side. Yet it
will be hard to convince me that
Black Bart is the paragon of virtue
you describe. wish | might believe
for your sake Did he also explain
how he came into possession of these
papers?"
"Oh. yes. indeed: there is no secret
him by an old man whom he discov-
cred sick in independence. and who
died In his rooms three years ago.
Mr.. Hawley has been searching eveT
since for the old mans granddaughter.
1t Is remarkable how he was finally
convinced that was the one"
"A photograph. was 1t not?"
A CLEAN of sudden suspicion ap-
peared in the brown eyes. a slight
change in facial expression.
That was clue. yes. but far from
being all But why should | tell you
this you believe nothing | say"
II believe that you believe; that
you are fully convinced of the justice
of your claim. Perhaps 1t is just. out
l am suspicious of anything which
Bart Hawley has hand in. Miss
Christie, you really make me wish to
retain your friendship. but cannot
do so if the cost includes faith in
Hawley. Do you know that is not
even his name-that he lives under an
alias?"
rs there anything strange In that
out here?" she asked stoutly. Il told
you how deeply he regretted his life;
that alone would be suffi cient cause
for him to drop his family name. Did
you ever learn his true name?"
He was not sure-only as Neb had
,l1& yDt3 ho
man. yet ventured a direct reply.
Bartlett. | believe-he uses 1t now
as a prefix"
lett!-Bartlett!" her hands
clasping. and unclasping nervously
Why. what a strange coincidence!"
How? What do you mean?"
''Oh. notbing-nothing. biting her
lips in vexation. THE name merely
recalled something. 5ut really. must
go. Mr.. Keith. or shall be late at the
theater. You have not attended since
Gamer"
NO" arising from the table with
her. However. | have heard you
sing before. and hope may again"
How tenderly you dwell on that
word hope" she said banteringly. 1T
almost makes me envious."
Your resemblance almost makes
me forget"
But not quite?"
No. not quite" he confessed.
smiling back into her quizzing eyes.
They went out into the hall togeth-
IN Wi Fol
at the door. The latter stared at the
two with some embarrassment for a
forgetful of his purpose. His
gaze settled on the face of the lady.
Always getting you two mixed" he
olurted forth. Never saw such re-
semblance-positively uncanny-same
hotel too means trouble-this Miss
Waite?"
mo, Doctor; | am Miss Maclaire,"
Ought to have known tiff | knew
is much about faces as | do about an
ltomy never would make such mis-
ake-very sorry-what fooled me was
seeing you with keith-thought he
satisfied-was hunting
after you"
After me?" evidently amused.
Certainly-you-we to the room
then to the clerk-said you were
n at supper-just occurred to me
streets here bad at ight-thought Id
lsk you to let me escort you to thea
er and back-a bit of lunch later"
le glanced suspiciously at Keith
probably got here too late
Well. really. you have. Doctor"
he replied sweetly. yelling her eyes
o hide their laughter But | can as
ure you it is not Mr.. Keith" cour-
esying slightly to the latter. for he
las not\ honOred me: we merely met
~ chance at the table | am sure |
hould enjoy your company exceeding
y. but tonight | must plead a preyi-
uS engagement"
"Ah-ah. some other night:"
With pleasure. yes"
The doctor faded away into the Of
ce, not wholly satisfied because Keith
till fingered Miss Christie extended
er hand.
Isn't he funny man? But do like
| like so many people
ihom perhaps | ought not, including
on. Mr. Jack Keith. Please think
yer what | told you about Mr. Haw-
ey. won't you?"
Certainly; you have given me food
Or thought. presume he is to be
our escOrt?'
She bowed. evidently resenting the
uestion.
Yes. and It may interest you to
now that he has something of the ut
lost Importance to tell me tonight
e has actually seen my guardian.
Ion't you wish you could be there"
She gave him a tantaliZing smile.
her hand. and running
p the stairs before he could answsr.
ver the railing OF the landing she
lanced down. ard then disappeared
CTO BE Continued