Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1912-07-05
CHAPTER Ix.-(contlpued.)

hS'O DOSh u pCtLCS IA wv nv w.
knowledge frankly, with no thought
except for myself. Hunger was my
master. and ask your forgiveness,
Miss Maclaire."
Her eyes smiled.
81 am SO very glad to have any one
here-any one-in whom feel even
a little confidence-that nothing else
greatly matters. Can you both eat.
and listen?"
Keith nodded. his eyes full of inter
est, searching her face.
Whoever l may be, Mr.. Keith, and
really that seems only of small i'm
portance, came to Fort Larned seek
Ing some trace Of my only brother,
whom we last heard from there, where
he had fallen into evil companionship.
On the stage trip | was fortunate
enough to form an acquaintance with
man who told me he knew where |
could meet Fred, but that the boy was
hiding because of some trouble he
had lately gotten into, and that |
should have to proceed very carefully
so as not to lead the officers to dis
cover his whereabouts. This gentle
man was engaged In some business at
Carson City. but he employed a man
to bring me to this place, and prom
Used to get Fred, and meet me here the
following day. There must have been
some failure In the plans, for'I have
been here entirely alone now for three
days. 1t has been very lonesome, and
and I've been little frightened.
Perhaps ought not to have come, and
am not certain what kind of a place
this is. was so afraid when you
came, but am not afraid now"
you have no need to Be-" he said
soberly, impressed by the innocent
cendor of the girl, and feeling thank
full that he was present to aid her. Il
could not wrong one of the South"
MY father always told me | could
trust Southern gentleman under any
circumstances. Mr.. Hawley was from
my own State, and knew many of our
old friends. That was why felt such
hliuoddI tohAhChCC III MIN, dttnOuSu
ne was but a travelling acquaintance
'Mr. Hawley?"
1.-THE gentleman whom met on the
stage"
'Oh, yes; you said he was in bust
ness in Carson City, but I don't seem
to remember any one of that name"
He was not there permanently
only to complete some business deal
"And your brother? | may possibly
have known him"
She hesitated an instant, her eyes
dropping, until completely shaded by
the long lashes.
"He-he was rather a wild boy, anC
ran away from home to enlist in thu
army. But he got into bad set, ant
and deserted. That was part of tn,
trouble which caused him to hide. HI
enlisted under the name of Fred VIII
loughby. Mr.. Hawley told me thi
much, but am afraid he did not tel
me all"
and he said you would meet hin
here?"
Keith gazed about the bare SUI
roundings wonderingly. What wa
this place, hidden away in the mids
of the desert, isolated in spot wher
not even Indians roamed. Could 1t b
a secret rendezvous Of crime, tn
headquarters of desperadoes, of cal
tie rustlers, of the highwaymen of tn
Eontn Trpil-a rniOt IN Mb oh ~
could ride when hard pressed, Gel
tain of hiding here in safety? He be
gan to suspect this, but, If so, VIII
then was this Hawley, and with wha
object had he sent this girl here
Every way he turned was to confron
mystery, to face new puzzle. Wha
sver she might be-even the must
hall singer he believed-she had bee
lnveigled here 1nnocently enough
Yes" she replied, he said that thi
vas one Of the stations Of big ranc
on which Fred was employed. and this
he would certainly be here within
day or two"
you met Hawley on the stag
coach? How did you become acquain
ed?"
I'VE were alone for nearly fit
miles" her voice faltering slight
"and-and be called me what you did
Christie l.ac,aire?"
yes; he-he seemed to think /
knew me, and needed help SO muc
hat | let him believe 80. though
t could do no harm, and then. whe
found he actually knew Fred, | didn