(Copyright. A. C.
CHAPTER XXIII.
An Unexpected Meeting.
Keith paused at the landing, look
teg down Into the deserted office. aV
most tempted to return and fore
Hawley Into a confession of his pup
pose. It was easy for him to con
ceive what would be the final result !
f this Interview between the artlstH
mmhler and MIm Madalra In unlti
f the vague suspicion of evil which
the plainsman had Implanted within
the woman's mind, the other possessed
the advantage, and would certainly
Improve It All conditions were de
cidedly In his faver. He merely
needed to convince the girl that she
was actually the party sought, and
she would go forward, pfaylng th
game he desired, believing herself
right, totally unconscious of any
fraud. The very simplicity of It ren
dered the plot the more dangerous,
the more difficult to expose. Hawley
YaA anrnlv hppn favnrpd hv' fortune In
UrnHn thl. lnirr whn rhnnrprllyet not altogether happily.
.,vi . ,-mo,w nH
who, at the same time, was in such
Ignorance as to her own parentage.
She would be ready to grasp at a
straw, and, once persuaded as to her
identity and legal rights, could hence
forth be trusted Implicitly as an ally.
Realizing all this, and comprehend
Ing also how easily Hawley would win
her confidence and overcome his
warning by denouncing him as a fugi
tive from Justice charged with murder,
the temptation to return and light It
out then and there became almost
overpowering. He had no fear of
Hawley; indeed, physical fear had
scarcely a place in his composition,
tut he wae not as yet sufficiently for
tified with facta for the seeking of
SKch an encounter. He could merely
guess at the truth, unable to produce
any proof with which to meet the
gambler's certain denial.
A man came In through the office,
and began c.lmblng the etalrs. He
was almost at the landing before
Keith recognized him or the other
glanced up.
"Ah seen her, I suppose?"
"Yes," returned Keith, not thinking
it worth while to mention the lady's
denial of having sent for him. "I have
Just come from there."
num tnougnt you'd be througn Dy
this time fine looking girl, ain't she?
, believe I'll run in and chat with her
myself."
"I would advise you to select some
other time. Doctor," said the younger,
drily, "as the lady has a visitor at
present."
"A visitor?" his face rosy, bla
shrewd eyes darkening. "Ah, lndeedl
Of the male sex?" '
"I Judge bo 'Black Bart' Hawley."
"Good Lord!" so startled his voice
broke. "Did he see you?"
"Rather; I backed him up against
the wall with a gun while I made my
adieu."
"But what brought him there? Are
they acquainted?"
"Don't ask conundrums, Doctor. He
may be your rival with the fair lady
for all I know. If he is, my sympa
thies are all with you. Only I wouldn't
try to see Miss Christie Just now; I'd
alt for a clearer field. Hawley Is
probably not In the best of humor."
Falrbaln stared into the face of the
speaker, uncertain whether or not he
was being laughed at
"Reckon you're right," he acknowl
edged at last. "Tired, anyhow been
OUt all nllM Dimiirht 1M lllitt tn CP
her again, though-finest looking
oman I've met since I came West I
remarkable eyes well, I'll p,o along to
bed see you again to morrow, Jack."
Keith watched the sturdy figure
tamp heavily down the hall-way, I
loose boards creaking under his posl- i
live tread, and emiled to himself at
the thought that he mlpht have, In
ieed, become truly Interested In the
music hall singer. Somehow, the doc
tor did not hnrirmrlze with the con
ception of love, :lt Graciously into
the picture. Sti, t-nrger tnatinss
bad occurred, and Cupid dees not a:k
permission before he plays pranks
lth hearts. Keith turned ngnln to
ward the stairs, only to observe a
woman slowly cross the office and
commence the ascent. She was In the
lhadow, her face even more deeply
lhaded by her tint, yet he stared at
her In amazement surely, It was
Miss Maclalre! Yet how could It be?
He had left that port-on scarcely five
minutes before in "20." and this stair
way was the only exit. His hand
grasped the rail, his heart throbbing
trangely, as a suspicion of the truth
crossed his brain. Could this be
Hope? Con'd It be that she was here
also? As her foot touched the land
ing, she saw him. her eyes lighting up
suddenly In recognition, a wave of
color flooding her clicks.
"Why. rVptr.ln K.I h" Fhe exclaim
ed. exept'!r! !er r'cv d hand frankly,
"yen h've lit on to my room, and were
polng away. p.m so p'ad I came In
time."
"I hnrd'y thonr-h to meet yon," he
ropred, rrtalrlng her firm in hi
rr?sn. "Whin th you roach Shcii
Car?" "Only last n1?ht. I hni no ldei you
atAle of the plains
Xby PAMDALL PARDISH-
7"Uthor Of" My Lady Or The doum"
when Wilderness Was Kino. FtcCtc
Illustrations By Dearborn Mclviix
MoClurt Co., 1111) .
were tiore until Doctdr Fairbiln
chanced to mention your name. Then
I at once begged him to tell you how
exceedingly anxious I was to see you.
You see, I was sure you would come
If you only knew. I really thought
you would be here this morning, and
remained in my room waiting, but
there were some things I actually had
to have. I wasn't out ten minutes, so
on mustn't think I sent you a mes
aK A then forgot"
The nature of the mistake was be
coming apparent, and Keith's gray
eyes smiled as they looked into the
depths of the brown.
"Your message had rather an amus
ing result," he said, "as the doctor in
formed me that Miss Christie Maclalre
was the one who desired my pres
ence." "MIbs Maclalre!" her voice exhibit
ing startled surprise. "Why why
oh, I did forget; I never told him dif
ferently. Why, it. was most ridicu
lous." She laughed, white teeth
gleaming between the parted red lips,
'Let me
reaUy I
explain, Captain Keith, for
have not been masquerading. Doctor
Falrbaln and I arrived upon the same
train last evening. He is such a fun
ny man. but was very nice, and offer
ed to escort me to the hotel. I remem
ber now that although he introduced
himself, I never once thought to men
tion to him my name. The town was
very rough last night the company
had paid off the graders I was told
and there was no carriage, so we were
compelled to walk. I I never Faw
such a mob of drunken men. One
came reeling against me, and brushed
aside my veil so as to see my face.
The doctor struck him, and then the
marshal came up you know him, Bill
Hlckock and the Impudent fellow
actually declared he knew me, that
I was Christie Maclalre. I tried to
explain, but they hurried me on
through the crowd to the hotel, and I
became confused, and forgot. Do you
suppose they registered mo by that
name?"
"Quite likely;. at least Fa'rbaln still
believes It was the Christie whom he
eo gallantly escorted last night."
"How provoking," her foot tapping
the floor, a little wrinkle between hr
eyes. "It seems as though I couldn't
escape that woman does she does
Bill- IRau, i --
"At a little distance, yes," he ad
mitted, "her form and face resemble
yours very closely, but her hair Is
flarlter, her eyes have a different ex
pression, and she must be five or six
Xcars older."
"Do do you know her well?"
"No, Indeed; I have toea her sever
al times on the stage, but never met
her until a few moments ago."
"A few moments agol Do you mean
he is here In this hotel?"
"Yes, Miss Hope, and that was what
made the mistake in names so laugh
able. Falrbaln gave me your mes
sage, but as coming from Christie. I
was, of course, greatly surprised, yet
responded. The lady very promptly
denied having sent for me, but as 1
was anxious to Interview her myself,
we managed to drift into conversation,
and I must have passed a half hour
there. I might have been there still,
but for an interruption."
"Oh, indeed!" with rising inflection.
He glanced quickly about, reminded
of the situation.
"Yes, Hawley came in, and I would
prefer not to meet him here, or have
him discover you were In Sheridan.
Could we net go to your room? I
! much V" y0U
Her questioning eyes left his face,
and stared down over the rail. A heav
ily built man, with red moustache,
leaned against the clerk's desk, his
face toward them.
"Do you know that man?" she asked
quickly. "He followed me all the
time I was shopping. I I believe he
is the same one who Jostled me in the
crowd last night"
Keith leaned past her to get bet
ter View, but the fellow turned, and
s'ouched away.
"I only had a glimpse, but have no
recollection of ever seeing him before.
You heard no name?"
" 'Wild Mil' called him either Scott,
or Scotty if this is the same man."
Keith's Jaw set, the fighting light
burning In his eyes. That was the
name of the fellow rooming with WU
loughby. the one who seemed to be
Hawley's special assistant. Was he
here as a spy? His hands clinched
on the rail. He was anxious to go
down and wring the truth out of him,
but Instead, he compelled his eyes to
smile, turning bark to the girl.
"A mere accident probably; but
about my request? May I talk with
you a few moments alone?"
Site lowed, apparently still dissatis
fied regarding his lengthy conversa
tion wi;h Christie, yet permitted him
to follow down the ha!l. She held
open the door of "15," and he entered
Mienriy, not wholly understanding tne
change In her manner. She stood be
foro the dresser, drawing off her
g-'ves and removing her hat.
"Will you be t,i;r,l. Ci.ptain; the
arm-chair by tho wtwit.w e more
ooiufortuble." Shu turned l'va.-i Mm
, almost shyiy, yet with womanly cu.
' osity which would not be stilled. "Was
: your call upon Miss Macluire very in
teresting? Did you admire her very
f much?"
Keith's eyes lifted to her face, his
ears quick to detect the undertone
in her voice.
"Interesting? yes, for I was seeking
after information, and met with some
success. As to the other question, I
am not sure whether I admire the lady
or not. She is bright, pretty, and
companionable, and in spite of her
profession, at heart, I believe, a good
woman. But really, Mlsa Hope, I was
too decjiy immersed in my purpose
to give her personality much consid
eration. Among other things we spoke
of you."
Of me? Why?"
"I told her something of our ad
ventures together; of how both Haw
ley and I had been confused. She wu '
I - 1 U VA I
unfortunately, I have never, even yet,
heard yur name."
"You have not?"
"No; I left you at Fort Lamed be
lieving you Christie Maclalre sup
posing it your stage name, of course
and was confirmed in this belief by
finding In the holster of the saddle
you had been riding an envelope bear
ing that addresa."
"I remember; It contained the note
the man brought to me from Hawley;
he had written it that way." She
crossed the room, sinking down Into a
chair facing him. "And you have
actually confused me with Christie
Maclalre all this while? Have never
known who I was?"
He shook his head.
"I told you to call me Hope; that la
my name I am Hope Watte."
"Walte!" he leaned forward, star
tled by the possibility "not not "
"Yes." she burst in, holding out her
"Was Your Call Upon Miss Maclalre
Very Interesting?"
hands, clasping tne fficspi, "Term -mrs
whs my father's; where did you get
It?"
He took the trinket from her. turn
Inir It over In hlB fingers. Little by lit
tle the threads of mystery were be
ing unraveled, yet, oven now, he could
not see very far. Ho looked up from
the locket Into her questioning face.
"lild I not tell you? No; then it
was an oversight. This was about the
throat of one of the men I burled at'
Clmmaron Crossing, but but, Hope,
it was not your father."
"I know," her voice choking slight
ly. "Mrs. Murphy found that out;
that is why I am hire. I beard my
father came to Sheridan, and I wanted
you to help me find him."
He was thinking and did not answer
at once, and she went on in some
alarm.
"Do you know anything about him,
Captain Keith? Where is he? Why
is he here? Don't be afraid to tell
me."
He pressed the locket hack Into her
haryl, retaining the latter, unresisted,
within his own.
"I have not seen your father, Hope,
but he was certainly here a few days
ago, for Falrbaln met him. They were
together In the army. I am going to
tell you all I know it seems to be a
tangled web, but the ends must be
somewhere, although, I confess, I am
all at sea."
He told It slowly and simply, bring
ing forth his earlier suspicion, and
how he bad stumbled upon facts ap
parently confirming them. He related
her father's robbery, bis loss of valu
able papers, and the conversation be
tween Hawley and Scott which led to
the suspicion that these same pa
pers had fallen Into the hands
of the former, and were the
basis of hfs plot . Hope listened,
breathless with interest, her widely
opened eyes filled with wonder. As
ho concluded speaking she burst
forth:
"But I don't understand In the least,
Captain Keith. Why did this man
Hawley send me to the Salt Fork?"
"He thought he was dealing with
Christie Maclalre. He had some rea
son for getting her away; getting her
w here he could exercise influence over
her."
"Yes yes; but who Is she?"
"That is what makeg the matter so
hard to unravel. She doesn't even
know herself. Hawley Is going to
take advantage of her Ignorance in
this respect, and convince her that
she is the person he wishes her to
represent but who la the person? If
we knew that we might block the
game."
Both Fat silent, striving to figure
out tome reasonable explanation.
"Do you know of any special papers
your father carried?" he asked.
"No; none outside his business
aerrnnientji "
f $255? n
"Has any one ever disappeared con
nected with your family? Did you
have an older sister?"
"Fred and I were the only children.
Why should you ask that question?"
"Because something of that nature
would seem to be the only rational ex
planation. Your brother must have
to'd Hawley something some family
secret which he felt could be utilized
to his own advantage. Then he saw
your picture, and was immediately re
minded of the remarkable resem
blance between you and Christie
Maclalre. Evidently this discovery
fitted into his plan, and made It pos
sible for him to proceed. He has been
trying ever since to get an Interview
with the woman, to sound her, and
tnd out what he can do with her. He
has written letters, sufficiently ex
plicit to make it clear hla scheme is
based upon a will drawn, at he claims,
by ChrUtle'e grandfather. No doubt
by this time he has fully convinced
the girl that she is the rightful heiress
to property as he stated to Scott
valued at over a million dollars. That's
a stake worth fighting for, and these
two will make a hard combination.
He's got the papers, or claims to have,
and they muBt be the ones stolen from
your father. I have been trusting you
might know something in your family
history which would make It all
plain."
"But I do not," decisively. "You
must believe me; not so much as a
hint of any secret has ever reached
me. There are only the four of us,
Father, Mother, Fred, and I. I am
sure there can be no secret; nothing
which I would not know. Perhaps, If
I could see Miss Maclalre "
"I am convinced that would bo use
less," he Interrupted, rising, and pa
cing across the floor. "If Hawley has
coivlnced her of the Justice of the
claim, he will also have pledged her
to secrecy. He Is working out of sight
like a mole, for he knows the fraud,
and will never come to the surface
until everything Is In readiness. 1
know a better way; I'll find Fred, and
bring him here. He would tell you
whatever It was he told Hawley, and
that will give us the clue."
He picked up his hat from the table,
but she rose to her feet, holding forth
her hands.
"1 cannot thank you enough. Cap
tain Keith," she exclaimed frankly.
"You are doing so much, and with no
personal Interest "
"Oh, but I have."
The long lashes dropped over the
brown eyea.
"What do you meRn?"
"That I have a personal Interest in
you, Hope."
She stood silent, her bosom rising
and falling to rapid breathing.
"You don t mind my calling you
Hope? I haven't got used to Miss
Walte yet."
Her eyes met his swiftly.
"Of course, not. Such ceremony
would be foolish after all you have
done for me. Do do you call her
Christie?"
He laughed, clasping her
closer.
"I insure you no she Is stvl-'Hy
Miss Maclalre, and," solemnly, "shall
be to the end of the chapter."
"Oh. well. I didn't care, only that
was wnat you called her whtn yen
were telling: me what the ssld. Are
you going?"
"Yes, to find Fred; the sooner we
can get thla straightened out, the bet
tor "
(To Ho Continued.)
Announcement.
Tlif! St. Mary's r.uild will hold
MiHr Annual Christmas Sale on
Wednesday, December 0, at
Hoales' hall.
Mr. and Mrs. 11. Wurl, wiin liavo
lici'ii visit i n pr Ihcir son, Olio, nnd
family, nf Quincy, III., for a week,
arrived this inornin.
C. A. RAWLS
LAWYER
Office First National Bank Building
Do You want an
AUCTIONEER?
If you do, get one who hwi
Experience, Ability, Judgement.
Telegraph or write
ROBERT WIKINSON,
Dunbar, Neb.
Dates made at this office or the
Murray State Bank.
Rates Reasonable
DR
Herman Groeder,
Graduate Veterinary Surgeon
(Formerly with U. S. .Department
Agriculture)
Licensed by Nebraska Stafe
Board
Calls Arswcrcd Promptly
relephono 37S Whito, i'luttsmioth
:r H
mi L
"rfV ! ', : i II M V I
iv ,i i-tfl ,ff
li -r , a
lift hi!
Woven-Wire Fences must be
V
heavy, as they have to turn animate hy
the sheer strength of the wire. Why?
A fence with barbs is protected from excessive pressure
because the animal fears the barbs. Remove tho hat bs ami the
createst strength of the animal is thrown upon the fence
Hence its wires must be larger and stronger. Therefore, to
have a longdife woven-wire fenen von must have a heavy fence.
Among the valuable features that distinguish American Fence is the
Hined-Joint (patented). We back this fcaturo with all our experience
as the largest niakr.s of fem e in the world.
Under side stress and strain the resilient Hinged Joint vieliN U pressure
and quickly returns to its old form without liendon; lm .il.i:;i; me stay
wires, the strain being taken up by the heavy lio:-ioni.il bars.
The real tost of a fence is the service yot ;i t out of it. Test, ju'lsnnf'
compare American Fence under any nml all conditions, and ymi wiU
find that the steel, tho structure and galvanizing arc equal in durability,
strength nnd efficiency to the hardest uses.
We have just received two carloads of fencing and can
fill orders for almost any design fence you would want.
Furthermore we figure our fence against any fence made, in
eluding the mail order houses. Bring your mail order cata
logue along and we will show
than any mail order house in
joyM 'BAU
PLUMBING!
HEATING!
NO MORE MAIL
FOR SANTA GLAUS
PostofTice Department Has An
nounced That All Such Letters
Must Be Returned.
Tim posloflico tli'iiarlnirnl an
nounces tlml, Idlers addressed
"Sanln Clans" are hereafler to he
marked "Fictitious" and returned
to tho sender or desl roved.
It is very likely trim that many
precious children, nd to say
i?rown-us, have composed these
letters as an indirect inelhod of
solieilinK charily thai, could not
he ohlaineil on Urn nmrils of the
case. Nevertheless, I here is un
derneath all I he money-KelliiiMr n
spark of senlinienl, and romance
in our people, that is fanned to
life at least annually hy I ho Rift
spirit of Ihe Christmas lido.
Most children still believe the
Santa Clauds myth, which brines
a bright ray of hope and sunshine
inlo many a sordid tenement.. No
doubt many of the Santa loiters
are genuine. The pracliea! result
is Ihal some wealthy people nre
assisted lo solve the embarrass
ing problem of how to spend their
money, nnd that somo children of
Ihe darksome slums learn that
Ihe world slill has kind human
hearts. Lot tho charitable so
cieties have tho letters, please,
Mr. Ililehoock, and use Ibeir own
judgment aso responses.
Change at Bank of Union.
Hoy A. Flanagan, who lias been
nssislant cashier of the Hank of
I'nion for the past two years, has
concluded lo locale on the Pacific
coast, probably at Spokane,
Wash., and has tendered his
resignation, lo lake effort about
November 1, or as soon I hereafter
as convenient for him lo be re
lieved. Mr. Flanagan's many
friends will regret his decision to
locale elsewhere, as ho has been n
very court eons nnd faithful official
and good citizen and filled the
position very acceptably.
The new nssislant cashier will
be .lack M. Patterson of IMatls
nioiitli, a young gentleman in
every way ipialilled for Ihe posi
tion, lie is a son of T. M. Pat
terson, cashier of the Hank of
Cass County, and has bad special
training, as well as practical ex
perience in the hanking business.
Mr. Pnllorson came on Monday
and is working in the bank to
familiarize himself with the
duties hero and lo form tho nc
fpiainlanco of the hank's patrons
before Mr. Flanagan retires.
I'nion Ledger.
"P. iV M" tin' new so cigar,
made in Plallsmouth. Try one.
-v.
r 1.
,U4
AtaJa of Hard, Stiff WTre, of Honest QitaHty
you that we sell fence cheaper
existence.
In!,
HARDWARE
Oscar Hassman Here.
Oscar F. Hassman, second 80iY
of Charles Hassman, formerly of
Ibis city, is in town, the guest of
Oscar's aunt, Mrs. C. A. Turn,
who is a sister of Oscar's father,
Oscar has a good job as fireman
on Ihe Southern Pacific, which
brings him over $100 per month,
nnd hns his hendipmrlers at Al
bany, Oregon. Tho Hassman
family have been on tho CoasV,
about seven years, and in that
lime Charles, who was formerly
clerking in the K. O. Dnvey &
Son's store, has acquired two
farms nnd very recently purchased
a third tract of land. Mrs. Hass
man, who had poor health here,
has entirely recovered and is feel
ing fine, Mr. Hassman is within
a short distance of Ihe ocean,
where Ihe sea atmosphere is in
vigorating. :
Pay Losses Promptly.
11. Model, clerk of tho local
camp of Ihe YV. O. W. lodge here,
last evening received n draft for
$1,500, payable lo Mrs. John P.
Trilsch, covering the policy thft
late Mr. Trilsch carried in this
popular insurance order. Mr.
Trilsch joined Ihe order little
more than a year ago. In addition
lo Ihe policy so promptly paid,
I ho company will erect a monu
ment at Ihe grave of the deceased,
costing $100.
W. T. Richardson Doing Nicety.
W. T. Richardson of Mynard,
fhe Missouri Pacific wreck victim
whose right leg was amputated
Monday at Ihe Methodist hospital,
is rapidly gaining strength after
the operation. Richardson's
splendid condition brought him
through Ihe ordeal much belter
than had been anticipated.
Omaha World-Ilerald.
Met With Mrs. Hadraba.
The Ladies' Aid society of the
Swedish church met last Thurs
day with Mrs. Joe lladraba at her
residence on High School Hill.
There was a good attendance and
matters of importance pertaining
lo the work of Ihe church were
discussed. It was an interesting
session, and all present were well
repaid for the time occupied with
the meeting.
John Carlson and his mother,
Mrs. Peter Carlson, and her lit
tle grand-daughter, Ililina Nyden,
accompanied by Miss 1,1 Ion Carl
son, were Omaha passengers on
the morning train today, whore
they spent the day visiting the
land show and at the same time
wore entertained at Hie homo of
Mr. and Mrs, Nyden, Mrs. Carl
son's dautrhtor.
F. E. Pierson of fhe Neilson
laundry was called to Omaha on
business this afternoon.
M