The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1912-02-23
.AfALE or THE PLANS

never know who is IN the next room
and the slightest whisper travels from
one end to the other. That is one way
in which Keith got Otto our deal-he
had room next to Willoughby and
Scott. and overheard them talking.
I'm not going to take any more
chances. Will you go to 'Sheeny
Joe's' with me?"
She drew back from him.
"'Sheeny Joe's?' You mean the sa-
loon near the depot?"
Sure; what's the use of being so
soueamish? You sing and dance to a
saloon crowd, don't you? Oh. | know
you're a good girl. Christie. and all
that I'm not ranking you with these
t1y-by-nights around here. But there's
no reason that | can see why you
should shy so at saloon. Besides.
you won't see any one. Joe has got
some back room where we can be
alone, and have bite to eat while
we're talking. What do you say?"
"Oh. would rather not" Hope fall
tered, bewildered by this unexpected
request. already halftempted to break
away and run. Really II don't
want to go there"
Hawley was evidently surprise at
this refusal. naturally supposing from
her life that Miss Maclaire's scruples
would be easily overcome. This OBJ
stinacy of the girl aroused his anger.
You women beat the devil" he
calculated, gruf1y. pretending to be
so damn particular. Maybe you'd
rather stand out there on the prairie
and talk?" with a sweep of his hand
around the horizon.
Yes, would" catching desperately
at the straw. Pm not afraid Of you;
I'm not blaming you at all. only ii
don't want to go to 'Sheeny Joe's. -
He looked at her. puzzled at her at
titude and yet somewhat reassured by
her expression of nfidence. Oh.
well. what was the difference? 1t
might be better to let her have her
own way. and the change would not
materially interfere with his plans.
OF course, it would be pleasanter sit
ting together at one of Joe's tables.
but he could talk just as freely out
yonder under the stars. Besides. 1t
might be as we'll now to humor the
girl
All right. Christie" his voice re-
gaining it's pleasant tone. You shall
have your way this time. There is
too much at stake for us to quarrel
over this"
Frightened, yet not daring to resist
or exhibit the least reluctance, she
clung to his arm, and permitted him
to lead her to the right down dark
passage and out into the open land be-
yond With thorbbing pulse, Hope
felt the small revolver hidden
within her dress, undoing button so
that, in emergency, she might grasp it
more quickly. Hawley felt the move
ment. the trembling of her arm.
You are afraid, just the same" he
said, pressing her to him lover-Iike.
Darkness always gets on a woman's
nerves.
Yes, tLat and loneliness" reseLt-
ing his familiarity. DO we need to
go any farther? Surely. We are alone
here
only a few steps; the ravine is
yonder, and we can sit down on the
rocks. want to smoke, and we will
be entirely out of sight there"
He nelped her down the rather
sharp declivity until both were thor
oughly concealed below the prairie
level Feeling about with his hands
he found NE surface of a smooth rock.
and seated her upon it. Then a match
fared. casting an instant's CLEAN
across his face as he lighted his cigar
Blacker than ever the night shut down
about them. and he groped for a seat
beside ner. She could perceive just