The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1912-04-05
CHAPTER xxx.
BY Force Of Arms.

BY Force Of Arms.
With her heart %throbbing fiereely.
Hope chung to the outer door Of the
vestibule e~ndeavoring to see a little
Of what was transpiring without.
About her was dense darkness. and
she dare not explore the surroundings.
Behind could be heard, through what
must have been a thin partition. the
various distractions Of the stage.
shifting scenery, music. shutting feet.
voices, and the occasional sour,d OF
applause. The girl had nerved herself
to the encounter with Hawley. but
this waiting here in darkness and In
certainty tried her to the uttermost
II some one should venture out hat
way how could she C her pres
ence or explain her purpose? She
found herself trembling in every limb
strange sound. Would the mar never
come? Surely Christie herself must
be ready to depart by this time.
Almost prepared to nee before the
terrors thus conjured up within her
mind. they left her as II by magic the
moment her straining eyes distin-
guished the approach of a dim figure
without. She could not tell who It
was. only that It was the unmistakable
form OF a man, and that he was whis-
Ting softly to himself. 1t might not
prove to be the gambler, but she must
accept the chance, for flesh and blood
could stand the strain of waiting no
longer. Yet she was not conscious OF
fear. only Of e~xultation, as she stepped
forth into the open. her blood again
circulating freely In her veins. At
the slight creak Of the door the man
saw her, his whistle ceasing. his hat
lifted. Instantly she recognized him
as Hawley. her heart leaping with the
excitement of encounter.
why. hullo. Christie" he said f.
miliarly, :" thought was early. and
expected a ten minutes wait. l came
out as soon as you left the stage"
"Oh. l can dress in a jify when
there is any cause for hurry" Hope
responded. permitting herself to drift
under his guidance. Are you disap-
pointed? Would you prefer to com.
mune with nature?"
well. l should say not" drawing
her hand through his arm, and then
patting 1t with his own. II have seen
about all care to Of nature. but not
Of Christie Maclaire."
You may learn to feel the same
regarding her." Hope answered, afraid
to encourage the man. yet eagerly
fearful lest she fail to play her part
Alright
Not the slightest danger" laughing
lightly. and pressing her arm more
closely against his body. Although
must confess you exhibited some tenn
, per when I was late tonight"
Did | not have occasion to? A
oma should never be kept waiting
especially II her engagement be i'm
|, perative."
!. "Oh. | am not finding any fault, 20,
, little spit-hre. l like you all the bet
ter because you fight. But the trou
r BILE was. Christie, you simply jumpe,
on me without wen asking how 1t oc
CURED. You took 1t for granted | wa
4 late on purpose to spite YOU"
We'll, weren't your" and the gir
glanced inquiringly up into his face
a as they passed out of the alley int
4 the light Of the Trocadero's Window
3 You certainly acted that way"
mo. l did not; but you wouldn
a listen, and besides | had no time the
e to explain. There's a lot happene
this afternoon | want to tell 20
l. about. VIII you give me time to tai
Il with your"
Il why, OF course" surprised at th
question. yet full Of eagerness. "Wh
should you ask that?"
Because | want you alone wheI
no one can overhear a syllable. II
afraid OF that damned hotel. Yo
never know who Is In the mex roor
and the slightest whisper travels fro
" one end to the other. That is one WI
r. in which Keith got onto our deaf
had a room next to Willoughby ar
a Scott, and overheard them talkin
e I'm not going to take any mo
in chances. VIII you 60 to Sheer
Joe's' with me-"
4 She drew back from him.
ID "'Sheeny Joe's? You mean the g
loon near the depot?"
10 Sure; what's the use OF being
p" squeamish? You sing and dance to
saloon crowd. don't you? Oh. l knc
a. you're q good girl. Christie. and
r that. I'm not ranking you with the
a~y-by-nights around here. But ther<
ID no a that | can see why y
Il should shy so at q saloon. Besid,
10 you won't see n one. Joe has g
70 some back room where w car
aloha and have a bite to eat VIII