The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1912-03-22
PAGE SEVEN.

gestculating man with both hands, he
hung him backward and dragged him
into the empty tent, kneeling on him
as he throttled him to the earth.
Now. Doctor, you listen to me-" he
said sternly I'm through arguing.
hate to treat you like this, for you are
my friend, but III not stand for inter
ference here. Do you get that, you
old fool? Lie still until get through
respect your feelings toward Miss
Maclaire- She is q good girl, and
hope to heaven you get her If you
want her. But you never will If you
permit this affair to go on. Yes, 1
know what am talking about. In all
that Hope and do we are serving you
and Christie-our only fight is with
Black Bart Hawley Stop being a
bullet-headed old fool, Fairbain, and
understand this thing, Lie still, | tell
you, and hear me OUT Hawley is q
liar, thief, and swindler. There
is swindle in this thing somewhere,
and he hopes to pull out big sum Of
money from It. He is merely using
Christie to pull his own chestnuts out
| OF the fire. She is innocent; we real
lie that, but this fellow is going to
ruin the girl unless we succeed In en-
posing him. He's not only involving
her In his criminal conspiracy, butt
he's making love to her; he's teaching
her to love him. That's part OF his
scheme, no doubt, for then she will De
an
Fairbain, your only chance to ever
win the interest of Christie Maclaire
Is to help us down this fellow Haw-
ley. Yes, you can sit up; reckon
you're beginning to see clearer, amt
you?" .,1t
Keith drew aside the flap OF the,
tent to glance without, the light fa2s
ing on Fairbanks face as he struggled
to sitting posture He had had a.
new thought driven into him, yet.
failed to entirely grasp It's signif-
canoe
But, Jack" he asked, still half
-angry, how about the girl? Hasn't
she any right to this money!"
Il don't know" honestly, we don't
any Of us know, but whatever she has
the right to she is going to get. You
can bet on that. old man We're buck
ing Hawley. not Christie Maclaire-
get that into your head. He hasn't any
right, that's certain, for he murdered
and stole to get the papers-be quietl
Here the fellow comes nowl"
They peered out together through
the convenient tent flap, Fairbain
scarcely less interested than the 9TH
err already dimly comprehending that
his truly dangerous rival was the
gambler and that he could best serve
the lady by helping to prove to her
the real character of that Individual.
He was still blindly cropping in the
haze yet out Of Keith's sharp. sting
ing words there had come to him a
guiding light. The latter gripped his
arm In restraint
Easy, old man. easy-let him
pass" ~
Hawley turned into the alley whis-
Ting, evidently well pleased with the
situation and anticipating other de-
lights awaiting his coming. The glow
of the Trocadero's lights served an
instant. to reveal his face, shaded by
the broad brim of his hat, and then
he vanished into the dark Keith lean
ing far out, yet keeping well within
the shadows, heard the faint creak OF
the vestibule door and the soft muir
muir Of distant voices. Then he drew
back suddenly, his hand again grasp
ing Fairbain, Two figures-those OF
4 man and woman-emerged into the
lin light, and as quickly disappeared.
Apparently her hand was upon his
arm, and he was bending down so
IS to gain a glimpse of the. face par
Tally concealed by the folds of the
nantilla. Only word or two reached
hem, little laugh and the woman's
roice:
Why, of course hurried you said
'ou had something of such Importance
o tell me-"
"Fairbain,' spoke Keith. his lips al
most at the ear OF the other That
vas Hope. all right, and she has got
i'm going already Now, man, will
gu help us out?'
~? How"
go back there, and meet Miss
Iaclaire. | don't care where you take
Crunch. anywhere; only keep her
-om the hotel as long as. possible.
GU can do It far better than |, for
he will not suspect you of any inter
st in this affair. Tell her any lie you
an think up on account of Hawley's
bsence. Good Lord old man, can't
ou see this is your chance; 60 in
I'D win"
Fairbain struggled to his feet, stlil a
t dazed and uncertain, yet tempted
: the opportunity "a
You're perfectly sure, Keith. this
MT anything that will hurt the gtrlY.t
Sure! OF course i am. It's Just
e%ley I'm cunning after. For Gods.
axe, haven't you got that clear YETI"
II reckon I'm an old fool, Jack"
limited the Doctor respectfully, and
hen an old fool is IN love he hasn't
Vt any sense left Anyhow III do
hat you want me to now. Where are
III golng?"
TO watch those others There IS
knowing what play Hawley might