Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-08-08

In compromising the various moods
with which she met his narrative. the
color changing in her cheeks, her sup
pie form bending toward him. or lean
Ing backward in the chair, her fingers
clasping or unclasping In nervous at
tention. He began with Neb's report.
repeating, word by word, as nearly as
he could recollect, what had passed
between Hawley and her father. He
paused to inquire If she had ever
heard the name Bartlett, but her re
ply was merely a negative shake OF
the head. When he described their
missing the train, she was, apparently,
not convinced as to the Generals de-
parture upon It, although finally agree
ing that. If he really believed the re-
port that the man sought was else
where, 1t would be characteristic Of
him to accept the first means Of get
ting there. IF he only knew I was
here" she exclaimed YEARLY, 1T
might be so different, but. oh. we are
all of us just cropping in the dark"
Then Keith turned to his chance meet
Ing with Miss Maclaire, and repeated
carefully their conversation, dwelling
particularly upon the few admissions
which had slipped through her lips.
These did not seem important to eth
er, although they treasured them UP
and talked them over. Then, having
exhausted the topic, silence fell be-
tween them, Keith asking the privi-
lege of lighting a cigar. Hope. after
watching him apply the match. think
he -,
ruddy flame brought It forth with the
clearness of cameo. leaned back,
drawing aside the semblance to a lace
curtain. and staring forth, without see
ing, into the street
Somehow, it was hard for her to full
ly realize the situation, and how close
ly IT affected her. The swiftly passing
events the complication arising so
suddenly, apparently out of nothing.
left her feeling as though she must
surely awake from a dream She could
not comprehend what IL was all
about; the names Bartlett and Phyl-
lis had no clear meaning. they repre-
sented nothing but shadows; and this
other woman-tl%s music hall singer
what could there be in common be-
Notwithstanding Of vital import
ance to her Understanding which
had already cost her brothers life.
That was the one thing which made II
seem an actuaIity-which brought II
home to her as a rugged fact. But for
that-and Keith-Keith sitting there
before her-she would have doubted it
all And yet even Keith had come
into her life so suddenly, so unexpect-
eddy, as to leave her dazed and IN
certain, that she extended her hand
and touched him, as though to make
sure of his actual presence.
What is It, Hope?"
"Oh, nothing-nothing." her voics
breaking in little sob 1T is so silly,
but was just wondering if you were
real-everything seems so impossible.
cannot bring my mind to grasp the
situation"
He did not smile, but only took the
cropping hand into both of his own.
u think I understand, little girl. -
he said gravely. You are totally un-
used to such life. Almost without 3
moments warning you have been
plunged into a maelstrom OF adventure.
and are all confused 1t Is different
with me-since the first shot at Sum-
ter my life has been one of action,
and adventure has grown to be the
stimulus 1 need, and upon which I
thrive. But I assure you" pressing tho
soft hand warmly, ~ am real"
of course 1 know that; It makes
me glad to know It. If I could only
do something myself, and not Just sit
here, it would all become real enough
to me-"
She rose suddenly to her feet. clasp
Ing her hands together. her face
changing with new animation.
why couldn't I? am sure could.
oh. Mr.. Keith. It has Just come to me
how l can help"
He looked at her Questioningly,
thinking of her beauty rather than Of
what she said.
"Do-do l really appear so much
like-like that woman" she asked
anxiously.
Very much, indeed. excepting for
the slight difference in age"
That would never be noticed in the
dark. or a poor light Am the same
height?"
Practically, yes"
And my voice?-could you distin-
guish me from her by my voice."
II might; yet probably not, unless
my suspicious were aroused. What Is
1t you are thinking about?"
She took a deep breath, standing
now directly facing him in the light.
"Of playing Miss Maclaire tonight"
she said quickly. "Of taking her
place, and learning what it is OF so
much Importance Hawley has to re-
port. Don't you think it might be
done?"
The sheer audacity OF this unexpect.
ed proposal left him speechless. He
arose to his feet. gripping the back
or the chair, almost doubling If he
could have heard Alright, his eyes
searching the girls face which was
glowing with excitement. OF course he
could not permit of her exposure to
such a risk; the scheme was imprac-
ticable, absurd. But was It? Did &c