Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-08-29
CHAPTER XxxII.
Ealrbein and Christie.

Saue haWley, but after an hour of re-
sultless effort, his entire thought shift
ed to the woman they had left alon
at the hotel. He could not. as yet.
fully grasp the situation. but he re
mained loyal to the one overpowering
truth that he loved Christie Maclaire.
Fairbanks nature was rough, orig
inal, yet loyal to the core. He had
lived all his life long in army camps.
and upon the frontier, and his code
of honor was extremely simple. It
never once occurred TO him that Chris
ties profession was not of the high
est, or that her life and associations
in any way untitled her for the future.
To his mind she was the one and only
woman. His last memory of her, as
the little party of men filed out Of
that room. haunted him until he fin
ally dropped out of the search and
drifted back toward the hotel
It was a late hour, yet It was hard
" likely the woman had retired. Her
excitement. her interest In the pursuit
would surely prevent that: moreover.
he was certain he saw a light still
burning In her room. as he looked I'D
from the black street below. Never
thelesH he hssitated. uncertain OF his
reception. Bluff. emphatic, never
afTaid to face q Inan In his life. his
heart now beat fercely as he endeav.
ored to muster the necessary cour.
Kge. Far down the dark street some
Toysterer fired a shot, and sudden fear
lest he might be sought after profess
sionally sent the doctor hurriedly
within, and up the stairs. He stood,
Just outside her door, quaking like a
child, the Precipitation beading his
forehead, but a light streamed
through the transom, and he could
plainly hear movements within. At
last, In a sudden spasm OF courage,
he knocked softly. Even in that noisy
spot she heard instantly, opening the
door without hesitation, and standing
fully dressed within. She was no
longer a discouraged, sobbing girl.
but an aroused, intent woman. into
whose pathetic, lonely life there had
come a new hope. She appeared
younger, fairsr. with the light SHIN
mering in her hair and her eyes smil-
ing welcome
oh. Doctor" and her hands were
thrust out towards him, Il am glad
you have come. Somehow, I thought
you would. and l have wanted so to
talk to some one-to you"
To me! DO you really mean that,
Miss Chrisue?"
Yes, l really mean that, you great
bear of man." and the girl laughed
lightly. dragging him into the room
and closing the door. why, who else
could l expect to come tonight? You
were the only one really good to me.
You-you acted as If you believed in
me all the time"
Il did. Christie; you bet l did,
broke in the delighted doctor, every
nerve tingling. I'D "a cleaned out
that whole gang If you'd only said
so, but l reckon now it was better to
let them tell all they knew. 1t was
like thunder storm clearing the ct
nosphere."
/ "Oh, 1t was, indeedl Now l know
who am-who l ami Isn't that sim
| ply glorious? Sit down, Doctor Fair
balm, there in the big chair where
can see your face. l want to talk, talk
talk; l want to ask questions, a thou.
sand questions; but 1t wouldn't do any
good to ask them of you, would it,
You don't know anything about my
family, do your"
Not very much, am afraid, only
that you have got an almighty pretty
half-sister," admitted the man, en-
phaucally. and old Waite possesses
the vilest temper ever given q hu
man being. He's no blood kin to you
though"
mo. but he is awfully good under
meath, isn't hep"
| Got a heart OF pure gold, ole
Waite. Why. I've seen him cry like
a baby over one Of his men that got
hurt"
Have you known him. then. for G
long while?"
Ever since the Spring of 81.
was brigaded with him all through the
war, and had to cut a bullet or sc
out of his hide before it ended. II
there was ever a fight, Willis Waite
! was sure to get his share. He coulC
swear some then, but he's improved
since, and ! reckon now he could like
ly claim the championship"
"Did-did you know my mother
also?" and Christie leaned forward
her eyes suddenly grown misty. 81
haven't even the slightest memory
of her"
The Doctors heart was tender, anC
he was swift to respond, reaching
forth and graspins the hand nearest
him. He had made love before, YET
somehow this was different; he fell
half afraid of this woman. and it was
new sensation altogether, and moi
unpleasant.
Il saw her often enough in those
days, but not since She was frequent
~ in camp. a very sweet-faced WON
an; you have her eyes and hair. as
remember. Waite ought to have rec
ognized you at first sight BY Heav
ensl that was what made me so in
formally mad, the mulish obstinacy Of
the old fool. Your mother used tC
come to the hospital tent, too; one
Of tho haaf pnrcau oom