The copper era and Morenci leader., 1912-04-19


 threat of one of the men I buried at Cimmaron Crossing, but-but, Hope. It was not your father"
 T know" her voice choking slight ly. Mrs. Murphy found that out; that is why I am here. I heard my father came to Sheridan, and wanted you to help me find him.
 He was thinking and did not answer at once, and she went on in some alarm.
 Do you know anything about him. Captain Keith? Where is he? Why is he here? Don't be afraid to tell me-"
 He pressed the locket back into her hand, retaining the latter, unresisted, within his own.
 I have not seen your father, Hope, but he was certainly here a few days ago, for Fairbain met him. They. were together in the army. I am going to tell you all I know-it seems to be tangled web, but the ends must be somewhere, although, confess, l am all at sea"
 He told it slowly and simply, bring ing forth his earlier suspicion, and how he had stumbled upon facts ap- parently confirming them. He related her fathers robbery, his loss of valu- able papers, and the conversation be- tween Hawley and Scott which led to the suspicion that these same pa pers had fallen into the hands of the former, and were the basis of his plot Hope listened, breathless with interest, her widely opened eyes filled with wonder. AS he concluded speaking she burst forth:
 But I don't understand in the least, Captain Keith Why did tL:s man Hawley send me to the Salt Fork?"
 He thought he was dealing with Christie Maclaire He had some req son for getting her away; getting her where be could exercise influence over her."
 ''Yes-yes; but who Is she?"
 That is what makes the matter so hard to unravel She doesn't even know herself. Hawley is going to take advantage of her ignorance in this respect, and convince her that she is the person he wishes her to represent-but who is the person? If we knew that we might block the game"
 Both sat silent, striving to figure out some reasonable explanation.
 Do you know of any special papers your father carried?" he asked.
 NO; none outside his business agreements"
 Has any one ever disappeared con- nected with your family? Did you have an older sister,"
 Fred and I were the only children. Why should you ask that question:"
 Because something of that nature would seem to be the only rational ex- planatfon Your brother must have told Hawley something-some family secret-which he felt could be utilized to his own advantage. Then he saw your picture, and was immediately re- minded of the remarkable resem- blance between you and Christie Maclaire Evidently this discovery fitted into his plan, and made it pos sible for him to proceed He has been trying ever since to get an interview with the woman, to sound her, and find out what he can do with her. He has written letters, uficiently ex- plicit to make 1t clear his scheme is based upon a will drawn, as he claims, by Christie's grandfather. No doubt by this time he has fully convinced the girl that she is the rightful heiress to property-as he stated to Scott valued at over a million dollars That's a stake worth fighting for, and these two will make a hard combination. He's got the papers, or claims to have, and they must be the ones stolen from your father. have been trusting you might know something in your family history which would make 1t all plain"
 But I do not" decisively. You must believe me; not so much as hint of any secret has ever reached me. There are only the four of us, Father, Mother, Fred. and I. I am sure there can be no secret; nothing which I would not know. Perhaps. if could see Miss Maclaire-"
 'T aE1 convinced that would be use less" he interrupted, rising, and pa cling across the floor. "If Hawley has convinced her of the justice of the claim, he will also have pledged her to secrecy He is working out of sight like 8 mole, for he knows the fraud. and will never come to the surface until everything is in readiness. l know a better way; I'll find Fred, and bring him here. He would tell you whatever it was he told Hawley. and that will give us the clue"
 He picked up his hat from the table, but she rose to her feet, holding forth her hands.
 T cannot thank you enough. Cap tain Keith" she exclaimed frankly. You are doing so much, and with no personal interest"
 "Oh, but I have"
 The long lashes dropped over the brown eyes.