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(Copyright. a McClurf & Co.. 1918.)
CHAPTER XXII.
An Interrupted Interview.
Miss Christie Maclalre, attired In a
oft lounging robe, her luxuriant hair
wound simply about her head, forming
a decidedly attractive picture, gazed
"with manifest dissatisfaction on the
bare walls of her room, and then out
through the open window Into the
comparative quiet street below. Th
bar tender at the "Palace," directly
opposite, business blng slack, was
.leaning negligently In the doorway.
IHls roving eyes caught the fair face
trained In the window, and he waved
his hand encouragingly. Miss Chris
tie's brown eyes stared across at him
In silent disgust, and then wandered
again about the room, her foot tapping
inervously on the rag carpet. I
'It's my very last trip to this town," ,
ehe said decisively, her red lips
.pressed tightly together. i
Miss Maclalre had indeed ample '
reason to feel aggrieved over her re-
ceptlon. She had written to have the '
best apartment in the house reserved
.for her, and then, merely because sh
bad later been Invited out to Fort
Hays, and was consequently a day be-I
bind in arrival, had discovered that
another woman a base imposter, act
uallv masaueradlrc under her name
bad been duly Installed In the coveted
partment. Driving in from the fort
that morning, accompanied by two of
the more susceptible Junior officers,
oonsclous that she had performed
most artlstlo work the evening before
In the spacious mess-ball, and feeling
4onfldent of comfortable quarters
.waiting her, It had been something of
a shock to be Informed by the per
turbed clerk that "15" was already
occupied by another. "A lady what
come in last night, and I naturally
supposed it waa you."
In vain Miss Maclalre protested,
iably backed by the worshipful officers
-who still gallantly attended her; the
management was obdurate. Then she
would go up herself, and throw the
hussy out Indeed, too angry for
bantering further words, Christie had
actually started for the stairs, intend
ing to execute her threat, when the
perspiring Tommy succeeded in stop
ping her, hy plainly blurting out the
exacttruth.
-wont you ever do it," he insisted.
""The marshal brought her in here,
land fired a fellow out o' the room so
as to give it to her. He'd clean out
this house if we ran In a cold deck on
a friend o' his."
"What do I care for what your
marshal does?"
"But he's Bill Hickock, Miss, 'Wild
.Bill.' "
Miss Maclalre leaned hack against
'the stair-rail, her eyes turning from
Tommy to her speechless supporters.
Slowly the truth seemed to penetrate
her brain.
"Oh," she gasped at last "Then
then what else can you give me?"
The officers had long since depart
ed, promising, however, to remain I
ever in town and hear her again that
night at the Trocadero, with hints as
to a late supper; she had received a
call from the manager of that most
popular resort, and had rendered his
life miserable by numerous demands;
lad parsed half an hour practicing
with the leader of the orchestra; but
row was at last alone, tired, decided-1
ly irritable, and still tempted to in-,
Tade "15." and give that other woman
a piece of her mind. Then some one
rapped on the door. There was a de- j
elded accent of vexation in the voice 1
which bade the one outside enter, but
the lady's mood changed swiftly as ;
her brown eyes perceived standing in :
the doorway the erect form of Keith, j
the light from the window revealing
clearly his strong face. The man j
stood hat in hand, bowing slightly, un-1
able to comprehend why he should
have been sent for, yet marvelling
again at the remarkable resemblance '
between this woman and that other
'whom he had left at Fort Lamed. As
Miss Maclalre stood with back towsrd
the window, she pre.-ented the same
jyouthful appearance, the SRine slen- :
'derness of figure, the same contour of ,
tface.
"Miss Christie Maclalre?" he asked,
'as though In doubt.
' "Yes," graciously, won Instantly by
!the man's appearance and manner,
"you wished to Bee me? Will you be
laeated?"
He crossed the narrow room to the
tiff-backed chair Indicated, and the
lady sank negligently down into het
own, resting her head against a pll
!low, and regarding blm expectantly
!He could view her now much more
distinctly, observing the slight differ
ence In age. the fuller lips, the darker
iahade of the hair, and the varied ex
pression of the eyes. It was as if a
different bouI had locked forth from
ithe same face. He had never before
jreallied how little, apparently trifling
'details marked the human counten
ance, and, embarrassed hy her owb
crutlny, his glance swept about th
'room.
Misunderstanding this shifting
0 eyes, MiBB unnwv aungm iu pmi
the man more at ease.
L "The room Ii a perfect fright" "he
TT
h i
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- - y
)3F)THE
p
MALE Or THE PLAINS
Ramdaix Padpish-
"AirrHOROr'MY Lady Or The South.
i Wilderness Was King. TCtlC
rations Bv DcARown Nclviix
observed briskly, "but wnat can on
expect in these mushroom towns
Really I had never been here before
or I shouldn't have come. They paj
eood money though for talent, and
we all have to live, you know. Are
are you in professional work?"
He shook his head, smiling, some
what perplexed at his reception.
"Really I didn't suppose you were,'
she went on, "you dont look It. Bui
there are so many who come to nu
to help them that I have grown bus
plcious of every stranger. May I ask
why you desired to see me?"
Another suspicion had taken poe
session of her mind, for the men ol
that section were never backward It
exhibiting admiration, yet someho
this man did not seem exactly of thai
kind. "
"I came merely because I was sent
for, Miss Maclalre," he replied, hli
gray eyes once again upon her face
"Doctor Fairbaln gave me your mes
sage; I am Jack Keith."
She looked the complete astonish
ment she felt, sitting up In the chair,
her eyes filled with questioning doubt
"Doctor Fairbaln! My message!
Surely you are mistaken? I know n
one of that name, and have sent ni
message.
"You did not express a desire to set
me?"
She laughed, exhibiting a row of
white teeth.
"Certainly not; not until this mo
ment was I even aware of the exis
tence of Mr. Jack Keith."
His own eyes smiled In response U
challenge of hers.
"I can assure you the surprise wai
mine also," he hastened to inform her,
now more at ease, as he grasped th
situation. "I could not understand
how I had become known to you, yet
I pledge you my word the message
was actually brought. Of course yovi
may suspicion otherwise, for I have
seen you on the stage, and being a
normal man, have wished that I could
devise some excuse for meeting you
"Indeed!" her eye-brows slightly up
lifted. "Tea, I make that confession frank
ly, yet this call comes from no auch
desire. I had no question when I
came, ljjit what I had been sent for
you wii believe this?"
"Lm.'rar.psa I must, yet it seems very
peculiar," sne replied, feeling con
vinced that he was a gentfoman, and
troubled aa to what she had best do.
"Yet now that you have discovered
your mistake "
"I hope to take advantage of the
opportunity," he broke In firmly,
leaning slightly forward. "May I ask
you a question?"
"I could hardly prevent it, and real
ly I do not know that I have anything
to conceal."
"Then I will risk the effort do you
know a man named Hawley? Bart
lett Hawley?"
Her eyes did not falter, although
a red spot shot Into her cheeks, and
her lips pressed together.
"No; that is I have never met him,"
she acknowledged. Just a little con
fused. "Hut I have received two let
ters signed by that name, and rather
expected the gentleman would call
Keith Backed Into the Corner
Hand In His Pocket.
-His
upon me here in Sheridan during my
engagement Is that your mission?
Were you sent by him? or are you Mr.
Hawley?"
"I disclaim all relation, Miss Mac
lalre, even friendship. You, of course,
know who this individual is?"
No, the short monosyllable waa
not encouraging. "His messages were
of a business character.'
"So 1 presumed, yet one like to
know something even of the person he
does business with. I have been ac
quainted with Haw'ey for several
years, and hi"ve never been aware of
any honorable business he has ever
erg(d in. He is a professional
gan tier, known on the frontier aa
' 'Black Bart;' last night he was run-
ring a faro garre across there In the
'Palace.' I cannot help wondering
ef biuinesa auch a fellow
' 4lllF"'1
could rossTbly tav6 with you, Miss
Maclalre." I
The woman's eyes flashed, harden
ing in their brown depths.
"What right have you to ask?" she
began indignantly. "I am capable of
deciding my own affairs. As I have
told you I have never met Mr. Haw
ley, but I am not to be Influenced
against him merely by the denuncia
tion of an avowed enemy. He has
written me of something he has dis
covered which is of deep personal in
terest to me, and has promised to tell
me the details, as well as place within
my hands certain necessary papers."
"I appreciate your feelings," he said
gently, as she paused, "but would you
mind telling nie the nature of those
papers?"
There was something In Keith's
face which told of honesty, and in
spired confidence. Miss Maclalre'a
worldly experience had given her deep
insight into the character of men, and
somehow, as she looked Into the clear
gray eyes, she felt Impelled to answer,
a vague doubt of the unknown Haw
ley in her mind.
"They they were papers to estab
lish Identity. He had discovered them
by accident; they have to do with an
inheritance. Really that ls-all I know,
for he wrote very briefly, stating it
would be safer to confer with me
personally only I imagine there is a
large sum involved."
"From whose estate?"
"My grandfather's."
"And his name was?"
"Why why, Mr. Keith, actually I
do not know. It may seem strange,
but but I cannot even tell the names
of my parents; I cannot remember
either my father or mother. Oh, I do
not know why I should tell you all
this! Who are you, really? Why do
you ask me such questions?"
He leaned forward, touched by the
woman's emotion.
"Miss Maclalre," he said gTavely. "1
am not prying into your life needless
ly, but am tndeavoring to serve you
as well as others. Hawley may in
deed possess papers of great value,
but if so they were not found by ac
cident, but stolen from the body of a
murdered man. These papers may
possibly refer to you, but if so Haw
ley himself does not believe it he
has simply chosen you to impersonate
the right party because of your phys
ical resemblance."
"Resemblance to whom?"
"To a young woman, a Miss Hope."
"But how do you know this? Why
should you De interested! Are you a
detective?"
"No, I am not a detective, but I
cannot explain to you ray Interest. I
am trying to serve you, to keep you
from being drawn into a plot "
"Rather to keep me from learning
the truth, Mr. Jack Keith," she burst
forth, rising to her feet indignantly.
"Ton are here trytnf to prejudice me
against Mr. Hawley. He is your ene
my, and you have come to me stab
bing him In the back for revenge.
That is your Interest Well, I am go-la&to-ue
tha man. and consider what
ne nas to say. I don't care halt bo
much about the money as I do to find
out who I am. If he can throw any
light on my early life, on my parent
age, I shall be the happiest woman
in the world. I am sorry I told you
anything but I am going to see him
Just the same. Perhaps he might tell
me something about you."
They were both standing, the wom
an's eyes flashing angrily, defiantly,
her hands clinched. Keith, realizing
the false position into which he had
drifted, hesitated to answer. He
meant to tell her the whole story, and
urge her to co-operate with him in
learning the gambler'a purpose. The
woman Impressed him as honest at
heart, in spite of her life and environ
ment; she was not one whom a swin
dler could easily dupe into becoming
a tool.
"Miss Maclalre," he began, de
termined on his course, "listen to me
for Just a moment. I am "
There was a rap at the door. The
eyes of both turned that way, and
then Keith backed alowly into the
darkened corner beyond the window,
his right hand thrust into the pocket
of his coat Miss Maclalre observed
the movement, her Hps smiling, a rod
flush on either cheek. Then the
stepped across the room, and opened
the door. Framed against the black
background of the hall, bis dark, rath
er handsome face clearly revealed aa
he fronted the window, his black, au
dacious eyes fixed appreclatlngly upon
the lady, stood "Black Bart" Hawley.
He saw no one but her, realized no
other presence, had no thought except
to make a good impression. He waa
facing a beautiful woman, whom be
sought to use, and he bowed low, hat
in hand.
"Miss Maclalre," he aaid, pleasantly,
"I trust you will pardon all that has
occurred between us, and permit me
to explain."
"I I do not understand," she re
piled, puzzled by these unexpected
words. "There baa nothing occurred
between us, I am sure, which require
explanation. Have we met before?"
The man smiled. Seeing the wom
an's face in the shadows he waa still
convinced she was the same he bad
last parted with on the Salt Fork.
However, if she preferred to ignore all
that, and begin their relations anew, it
was greatly to his liking. It gave him
insight into her character, and fresh
confidence that he could gain her as
sistance. Anyhow, he was ready
enough to play her game.
"Let us assume not," Just the slight
est trace of mockery in the tone, "and
begin anew. At least you will confess
the receipt of my letters I am Bart
lett Hawley."
She cast a half-frightened glance t
ward Keith, and the man, following
the direction of her eyes, perceived
leg went backward, his hand dropping
to the belt, his form stiffening erect
Kf'b' vnlw. Uiw but olasr 1b thf
6ilonce. seemed to cut the air.
"Not a motion, Hawley! I have yon
covered."
"Oh, gentlemen, please don't!"
."Have no fear, Miss Maclalre; thii
man and I will settle our different
elsewhere, and not in your presence."
He stepped forth Into the middle o!
the room, revolver drawn, but held
low at the hip, his watchful eyei
never deserting the gambler's face.
"Back up against the wall, Hawley,"
he commanded. "I hardly need to tell
you how I shoot, for we, at least, have
met before. Now, I'm going out, and
leave you to your Interview with Mist
Maclalre, and I wish you happlnest
and success."
He moved across to the opening,
keeping his face toward his adver
sary; then backed out slowly, closed
the door with a snap, and sprain
aside to avoid any possibility of a buV
let crashing after him. No sound ol
movement from within reached hit
ears, however, and he walked silently
to the head of the stairs.
(To Be Continued.)
AT HOME
PREFERENCE TO OMAHA
A Couple of Incidents Which
Demonstrates That Goods Are
as Cheap or Cheaper.
Hayden Brothers of Omaha
have Hooded Cass county Willi
circulars enclosing samples of
poods and the prices per suit. A
friend of the Journal received one
of these "inducement" circulars,
and lie handed it to us that wo
might Compare prices on such
suits here in I'laltsmoulh and in
Omaha, which we lake great
pleasure, in doing, to show t lie fol
ly of some people in going to
Omaha heeause I hey are saving a
dollar or two hy going there. Now,
Hayden Hrot tiers are agents for
certain grades of clothes
in Omaha, and Wescott's Sons aro
agents for similar grades in
IMattsmonlh. There are four dif
ferent shades of goods on the
Hayden circular, any one of which
they will furnish you u suit of for
$12, as their advertised price
That looks cheap, hecavise it is a
firm in Omaha. Hut it is not, he
cause scoll's Sons have tho
same samples, and have already
advertised that they will furnish
a suit from cither sample for $10
or $2 less than Hayden Hrolhers
Now is this not a saving to you?
While we are at it, we will give
another illustration of Cass coun
ty ladies huying dress goods in
Omaha. A lady, who requests us
tud to give her name heeause she
docs not want, people to know that
she was such a "sticker," went in
to one of the leading dry goods
stores in Omaha, and after look
ing over 'the various patterns
hought one marked 99 cents per
yard. She brought it. home, of
course, and she says herself that
she thought she was gelling "a
bargain." A few days later she
passed a certain store in 1'lalls
inotith and in the show window
she spied the same kind of pat
tern, in both quality of goods and
((dor. She stepped in and exam
ined it, and became anxious to
know how much more the trice
was here than in Omaha. To her
surprise, of course, she soon
found out' that she could buy it
for 85 cents per yard, or U cents
less than she paid the Omaha
merchant. ,
Now, these are duly t wo in
slances. We could givo more, but
it is not necessary to convince
anyone with sound judgment that
it is not possible, to buy goods in
Omaha, where they have to pay
much higher rents, higher taxes
and higher living in general, than
here in I'lattsmoulh. There is a
moral in this which people who
go to Omaha to buy goods sooner
or later learn trade at home.
Don't trifle with a cold Is good
ndvico for prudent men and wom
en. II may be vital in case of a
child. Thero is nothing better
than Chamberlain's Cough Rem
edy for coughs and colds in chil
dren. It is safe and sure. For
salo by F, G. Fricke & Co.
Auto for Sale.
Two-passanger Ford Automo
bile, in good repair, just over
hauled and repainted; will sell for
$175.00, if taken within tho next
week. This Is a snap.
J. E. Mason.
For Sale.
A number of thoroughbred
Duroc-Jcrsey males.
Glen Perry.
Tho best plaster. A piece of
flannel dampened with Chamoer
Iain's Liniment and bound on over
the affected parts is superior to
a plaster and costs only one-tenth
as much. For sale by F. Q.
Fricke & Co.
liaHB ilvUIII
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n
lilE FIRST FRIDAY III
10 BE FIRE
i i
The Governor as Well as the State
Upon AH Citizens to Observe the Law, in Which All Public
School Teachers are Interested.
One of the wisest laws passed
by the last session of the legis
lature was that establishing a
'Tire day," and providing a sys
tem of instruction to be carried
out in the public schools of the
slate, setting apart one day in
each month for such instruction
and making it tho duly of the
chief deputy lire commissioner
and the slate superintendent of
public instruction to prepare a
book, conveniently arranged in
chapters or lessons, such chap
ters or lessons to be in number
sumcicnt to provide a dill'erent
rhapler or lesson for each month
of the maximum school year. Such
a text book has been prepared by
C. A. Randall, Jlrn commissioner
for Nebraska, and is entitled the
"Fire Prevention Text Hook." The
book is in phamplet form and con
sists of 47 pages of printed mat
ter. A copy of (his book should
be in every home in the stale.
On August 2 4 the governor is
sued a proclamation setting apart
the llrst I riday in November as
"Fire day," and specially request
ed all teachers of public, private
and parochial schools of the stale
to appropriately observe the day.
And the governor slates that the
school children of Nebraska
should be an object of special
solicitude, and iudhinK should be
Visits Plattsmouth Friends.
Frank Sabalka, who left Plalts-
tnoulh last July with Roy pellon
to go to Norlh Platte to work on
the government building, relum
ed this morning for a few days'
visit with friends. F.d Kinsev and
William Ilinker, who left at tho
same lime and who worked on the
poslolllce building here last sum
mer are with the "gang" yet, and
are well and happy. The building
at North Plalto is lo bo a three
slory slrticlnre, and tho walls arc
not yet completed for the llrst
story. Frank brought some pic
lures showing Ihe building when
the boys llrst arrived, and at dif
ferent stages of j'ls -progress
fince. Frank expects to return
to Norlh Platte next Sunday.
Moving the Dirt.
Mr. McF.iit.co has again began
to move the dirt from tho Mc
Daniel lots on tho hill. A largo
number of wagonloads aro being
used by K. G. Dovey & Son in till
ing in about their warerooin and
ice bouse. Yesterday afternoon
ho began to fill tho south half of
tho residence lot of C. C. Parmele,
and this will require many wagon
loads of dirt to bring it up with
tho government lot on tho east.
Tho value of all these properties
will bo greatly enhanced when tho
1111 is completed.
For Sale.
Fine Barred Rock Cockrcls at
7Dc apiece if taken at once. In
quire of Mrs. N. II. Isbcl.
10-23-ltd-2tw.
All kinds of cool summer drinks
at Bookmeyer & Maurer's.
. -JJI
mery
An Elegant Line
of
LARGE,
MEDIUM and
SILL
Please Call and See
6
MEIER IS
DM" III
Deputy Fire Commissioner Call
left undone to reduco to a minim
um the danger from disaster by
lire breaking out in school build
ings. Tho Are chief has provided that
instrutcions be given to tho chib.
dren concerning the dangers from
fire and on the following topios
September lesson lecturs,
"Matches;" October, "Chimney
and Flues;" November, "Stove
and Stovepipes;" December,
"Christmas;" January, "RubbisH
and Ashes;" February, "Kero
sene;" March, "Gasoline and
Nap! ha;" April, "Calcium Car
bride and Acetylene Gas;" May,
"Independence Day;" June, "Fir
Insurance."
In the preface of his book lha
chief slates that this law has been,
enacted in over half of tho state
in the Union and is materially re
during the hiss by lire in the
stales where it is in operation,
and doubtless the law will bo en
acted in every slate in the Union
as soon as its cfTcrlivcnoss 1
brought to their nllention.
The law requires thirty minutes
to be devoled to the subject ot
lire dangers each month. Th
plan of the lillle text book is tr
have every school in I he state,
leach the same subject nl th
same lime, making a uniform
crusade against lire dangers.
1 Construct Ice House.
S "Your Undo Turn" Kennish Anrl
a force of men aro working lika
beavers during Mr. Dovey'
Absence, converting tho oil
smoke house adjacent lo the
warcrooms of K. U. Dovey & Son
into an ico house. Tho bouse
will bo twenty feet below the ton
of tho ground, is walled witn
brick, and when the workmen ar
through with it the building will
have a concrelo floor, with drain
ago outlet in tho center of tht
floor into the sewer and a con
crete wall three feet up from the
bottom all around to keep th
moisture from the brick wall
entering the ico room. Tho house,
will have a capacity of sixty ton
and will be u line convenience for
Hie firm.
CARPENTERS,
CONTRACTORS
BUILDERS!
and
Estimates cheerfully furnished for
all kinds of work in the building linft
from foundation to roof complete.
We are prepared to do all
kinds oi Building Work.
Plattsmouth, Nebraska.
ITS
NEBRASKA
u
PETERS ii RICHARDS,
