Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-06-06
Ccopyright A. C. Mcclur1 & Co.. isloJ

" NNS III ViiSuI Oh d revolver In her
lowered hand.
What did you expect to fnd7"
1 hardly knew," he explained lame
"; I'VE stumbled on this hut by acct.
dent. I didn't know there was q
cabin in all this valley"
Then you are not here for any
purpose? to meet with any one?"
No; we were lost, and had gone
into camp up above. when we discov.
cred your light"
Where do you come from?"
Keith hesitated just an instant, yet
iaisehCcd was never easy for him. and
he saw no occasion for any deceit
now.
Carson City"
what brought you here?"
We started for the Bar X ranch
down below, on the Canadian: got
caught in sand-storm. and then Just
drifted. l do not know within twenty
miles Of where we are"
She drew a deep breath OF uncon.
cealed relief
Are you aloneY
The negro and Yes: and you
haven't the slightest reason to be
afraid OF us-we're square
She looked at him searchinglv. and
something in Keith's clean-cut face
seemed to bring reinsurance, conf
dence In the man.
Il am not afraid" she answered.
coming toward him around the short
table. only it is so lonely here, and
you startled me, bursting in without
warning. But you look all right and
l am going to believe your story.
What is your manner"
'Keith-Jack Keith"
"A covman?"
"A little of everything, reckon" a
touch Of returning bitterness in the
tone. "a plainsman, who has punched
cattle, but my last Job was govern
ment scout"
you look as though you might be
more than that" she said slowly.
The man flushed, HIS lips pressing
tightly together.
We'll. II may have been" he con-
fessed unwillingiy 81 started out all
rigbt ll't somehow reckon 7 Just
went adrift. IT'S a habit in this coun-
try"
Apparently those first words Of COM
ment had left her lips unthinkingly. fer
she made no attempt to reply; merely
stood there directly facing him, her
clear eyes gazing frankly into his
own. He seemed to actually see her
now for the first time, fairly-a sup
pie, slender figure, simply dressed.
with wonderfully expressive brown
eyes. a perfect wealth Of dark hair. a
clear complexion with slight olive
t;nge to it, strong, intelligent face,
not strictly beautiful. yet strangely
attractive. the forehead low and broad,
the nose straight, the lips full and In
clined to smile. Suddenly a vague re-
membrance brought recognition.
why. l know you now"
Indeed" the single word note of
undisguished surprise.
Yes; I thought you looked oddly
familiar ell the time, but couldn't for
the life of me connect up. You're
Christie Maclaire."
Am II" her eyes filed with curl
osity.
"Of course you are. You needn't
be afraid of me If you want It kept
secret, but I know you just the same.
Saw you at the 'Gaiety' in Indepen-
dence. maybe two months ago. went
three times, mostly on your account.
you've got great act, and you can
sing too"
She stood in silence, still looking
fixedly at him, her bosom rising and
falling. her lips parted as If to speak.
Apparently she did not know what to
do, how to act and was thinking
swiftly.
Mr.. Keith" she said. at last in de-
clslcn, i am going to ask you to blot
that all QUITO f, get that you even
suspect me Of being Christie Maclaire,
Of the Gaiety."
Why, certainly; but would you ex-
plain?"
There is little enough to explain. Il
is sufficient that am here alone with
you. Whether l wish to or not. I am
compelled to trust myself to your pro-
lection You may call me Christie
Maclai o, or anything else you please;
you may even think me unworthy re-
spect, but you possess the face of
gentleman, and as such / am going to
trust you-I must trust you. VIII you
accept my confidence on these
terms?"
Keith did not smile, nor move.
Weak from hunger and fatigue, he
leaned YEARLY against the wall.
Nevertheless that simple, womanly APP
peal awoke all that was strong and
sacrificing within him, although her
words were so unexpected that, for
the moment he failed to realize their
full purport. Finally he Strengthened
up
Il accept any terms you desire"
he gasped weakly, diff you viii
only give one return"
"One return ?-what2"
Food; we have eaten nothing for
sixty hours"