Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-05-30
Copyright. A. c. Mcclurg & Co.. 1907
CHAPTER XVIII.
interviewing WiIIouahby,

interviewing WiIIoughby.
Coolly, yet without in the least
comprehending how best to proceed.
Keith drew toward him the only chair
In the 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
lem was how best to cause the fellow
70 talk frankly-could 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.
In on you this way" he began, apollo
getically, but you see happened to
know your sister,"
my sister? Oh, l guess mott"
yes. but do" throwing a con.
ddence into his tone he was far from
feeling, Miss Hope and are friends. !"
The boy sprang to his feet, his face
flushed
"Oh. you mean Hope? Do you know
her? 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 stage west of To
peka. | knew he was lynn, because
she's home over in Missouri. Finally,
I got 1t out of him that she claimed to
be my sister, but her name was
Maclaire. Why, l 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 it was all mistake.
That his sister might have left home
since he did, and drifted West under
an assumed name, 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, .
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 90.
Cured to him.
Damn me. no, 1t couldn't be that =
he exclaimed, one hand pressing hia
head He couldn't be workin' nc
tric,- of that kind on me-"
Whom do you mean?"
"a fellow named Hawley," evasive-
1y. The man who claimed to have
met my sister"
"Black Bart Hawley?"
The boy lifted his head again. his
eyes filled with suspicion
yes, if you must knew rN,s a
gambler all right, but he's stuck tt
me when l was down and out. Yo,
know him?"
Just little" carelessly; but wha
sort of a trick could he be working
trying to make you acknowledg'
Christie Maclaire as your sister,"
Willoughby did not answer, shifting
uneasily about on the bed. Keith
waited, and at last the boy blurte'
out:
"Oh, 1t wasn't nothing much. l toll
him something when was DRUM
once. that | thought maybe nigh
have stuck to him. Odd he SHOULD
make that mistake, too, for I Shove,
him Hopes picture. Bart's schemel
and | didn't know but what he Nigh
have figured out trick, though
don't see how he could. 1t wasn't n
more than pipe dream. reckon
Where did you meet Hope? Back Il