SYNOPSIS.
Jack Keith , a Virginian , now a bor
der plainsman. Is looking for roaming war
parties of savages. He sees a wagon team
at full gallop pursued by men on ponies.
When Keith reaches the wagon the raid
ers have massacred two men and de
parted. He searches the victims finding
papers and a locket with a woman s portrait
trait Keith Is arrested at Carson City ,
charged with the murder , his accuser be
ing a ruffian named Black Bart. A negro
companion in his cell named Neb tells mm
that he knew the Keiths in Virginia , Neb
ays one of the murdered men was Jonn
filbley. the other Gen. Willis Walte. form
erly a Confederate officer. The plainsman
and Neb escape , and later the fugitives
come upon a cabin and find its occupant
to be a young girl , whom Keith thinks
he saw at Carson City. The girl explains
that she is in search of a brother , who
had deserted from the army , and that a
Mr. Hawley Induced her to come to tne
cabin while he sought her brother. Haw
ley appears , and Keith In hiding recog
nizes him as Black Bart. There is a ter
rific battle in the darkened room in which
Keith Is victor. Horses are appropriated ,
and the girl who says that her name is
Hope. Joins In the escape. Keith explains
his situation and the fugitives make for
Fort Larned. where the girl is left with
-the hotel landlady. Miss Hope tells that
she Is the daughter of General Waite.
Keith and Neb drift Into Sheridan , where
Keith meets an old friend. Dr. Fairbain.
Keith meets the brother of Hope Waite.
under the assumed name of Fred Wll-
loujjhby. and becomes convinced that
Black Bart has some plot Involving the
two. Hope learns that Gen. Waite. who
was thought murdered. Is at Sheridan ,
and goes there , where she is mistaken for
Christie Maclaire. the Carson City singer.
Keith meets the real Christie Maclaire
and finds that Black Bart has convinced
her that there is a mystery in her life
which he is going to turn to her advan
tage. The plainsman tells Hope Waite of
her resemblance to Christie Maclaire.
They decide that Fred Wllloughby may
hold the key to the situation. Keith finds
Willoughby shot dead.
CHAPTER XXV. ( Continued. )
'Was that all ? "
De ol' gin'ral he didn't seem ter
know -what ter say ; he done set dar
Jookin' off ober de prairie like he was
far flumegasted. He sho' did look
Jke dat black debble bed hit him
r ghty hard. Den he says slow like ,
tmnin' his boss 'round : 'Bartlett , yo'
am puttin' up a good bluff , but , by
Gawrd. I'm goin' ter call yo' . Yo' don't
set a cent ob dat money 'less yo1 put
de proof. I'll meet yo' whar yo'
say , but ef I can git hoi' ob some pa
pers dat's mlssln' I'll take dat grin off
YO' face. ' De odder one laughed , an'
de ol' gin'ral started fo' ter ride away ,
den he pull up he's boss , an' look
back. * Yo * sorter herd wid dat kind
ob cattle. Bartlett. ' he say , sharp like ,
"maybe yo' know a gambler roun'
yere called Hawley ? ' De black debble
nebber eben lose he's grin. 'Do yo1
mean Black Bart Hawley ? ' 'Dat's the
man , where Is he ? ' 'Dealin' faro fo'
Mike Kenna In Topeka a week ago
friend ob yours ? ' 'Dat's none ob yo'
damned business , ' snorted de ol'
; gin'ral , givin' his boss de spur. Sho' ,
.Massa Jack , he nebber knowed he was
talkln' ter dat same Hawley , an' dat
black debble Jest laughed as he rode
off. "
"When was all this , Neb ? "
'Bout de time yo' all went up on
de hill , I reck'n. I done come right
yere. and waited. "
Keith walked across the room , se
lected a cigar , and came back , his
mind busy with the problem. Hawley
had In some manner , then , got into
communication with Waite. and was
threatening him. But Waite evidently
knew the man under another name
his given name and the gambler had
sent him off on a false trail. The lost
papers apparently contained the solu
tion to all this mystery. Waite be
lieved Hawley possessed them , but
did not suspect that Bartlett and Haw
ley were the same person. What
would he most naturally do now ?
Seek Hawley in Topeka probably ;
seize the first opportunity of getting
there. Keith turned impatiently to
the clerk.
"Any train running east ? "
"Well , they generally start one out
every day , " with a glance toward the
clock , " 'long 'bout this time. Maybe
It's gone , and maybe it hasn't. "
It was already nearly dark outside
as the two men hastened toward the
depot. They arrived there barely In
time to see the red lights on the last
car disappear. No Inquiries made of
those lounging about brought results
they had been interested in a lot of
drunken graders loaded on the flat
cars by force , and sent out under
guard and not one could tell whether
any man answering Walte'ft descrip
tion was In the single passenger
coach. Convinced , however , that the
General Trould waste no tlmn in prose
cuting his search , Keith believed him
already on his way east , and after dis
missing Neb. with instrufttions to
watch out closely for Hawley , he
made his own way back to the hotel ,
ft seemed strange enough how com
pletely be was blocked each time , just
as he thought the whole baling mys
tery was about to be made ctear. Haw
key was playing in rare lut c , all the
cards running easily to his t and , thus.
.t least , gaining time , and strengthen
ing his position. There couM no long
er be any doubt that the gambler pos-
eesed some knowledge wKlch made of
him a formidable adversary. From ly.
Waite's statement It was tie loss of
'the papers which left him helpless to
.openly resist the claim being made
upon him on behalf of the mysterious
Phyllis. 7s only hope , thereto , laj
\T * > < * ' M
LE OF THE PLAINS
PANDAIJUPADPISH- * .
* AUTHOR OF"MY LADY OF THE 5ouTHrx\ \ > '
WHEM WILDERNESS WAS KIN of Crc.fTC -
IULUSTRATIOMS BY DCARDORM MCLVILI
( Copyright , A. C. McClur * & Co. . 1910. )
in recovering these ; but , with time
limited , he had been sent back on a
wild goose chase , while Keith alone
knew , with any degree of positiveness ,
where those documents really were.
Hawley certainly had them In his pos
session the day before , for he had
taken them to Miss Maclaire to thus
convince her as to the truth of his
statements. And Hawley was still
in Sheridan. However , it was not
likely the man would risk carrying
documents of such value , and docu
ments connecting him so closely with
that murder on the Santa Fe Trail ,
about upon his person. At best , life
was cheap in that community , and
Black Bart must possess enemies in
plenty. Yet if not on his person
where ? Scott was only a tool , a mere
ignorant desperado , not to be trusted
to such a degree yet apparently he
was the only one working with the
gambler in this deal , the only one
cognizant as to his plans. Christie
Keith came to a stop in the street at
tbe , recurrence of the woman's name.
Why not ? If she had been convinced ,
if she really believed that these pa
pers proved her right to both property
and parentage , then she would guard
them as a tigress does her young. And
Hawley would know that , and must
realize they would be far safer in her
hands than in his pocket. She could
not use them without his aid and
guidance , and yet , whatever happened
to him they would still be safely be
yond reach. True , this might not have
been done ; the gambler might not yet
have felt that he had sufficient hold
upon the woman to trust her thus far ,
but it was , at least , a possibility to be
considered , and acted upon.
Still wrestling with the intricate
problem , Keith entered the dining-
room , and weaved his way , as usual ,
through the miscellaneous crowd , toward -
ward the more exclusive tables at the
rear. A woman sat alone at one of
these , her back toward the door. His
first thought was that it must be
Hope , and he advanced toward her ,
his heart throbbing. She glanced up ,
a slight frown wrinkling her foreheal ,
and he bowed , recognizing Christie
Maclaire.
CHAPTER XXVI.
A Chance Conversation.
The opportunity thus so unexpected
ly afforded was not one to be wasted ,
and Keith accepted it with swift deter
mination. The expression in the wom
an's face was scarcely one of wel
come , yet his purpose was sufficiently
serious to cause him to ignore this
with easy confidence in himself.
"I am. Indeed , most fortunate to dis
cover you alone. Miss Maclaire , " he
said , avoiding her eyes by a swift
glance over the table , "and evidently
at a time when you are only beginning
your meal. May I Join you ? "
She hesitated for an instant , debat
ing with herself , and as quickly de
ciding on disagreeable tactics.
"I presume this is a public table ,
and I consequently have little choice
in the matter , if you insist , " she re
plied , her voice more civil than her
words. "Still. Mr. Keith , I am not
accustomed to associating with crim
inals. "
He smiled , holding his temper In
check , more than ever determined to
win.
"Then , possibly , you may rather
welcome a new diversion. I can as
sure you our criminals out here are
the most interesting portion of our
population. I wish I might have your
permission. "
Standing there before her , bare
headed , his slightly tanned face strong
and many , his gray eyes filled with
aumor , Miss Maclaire recognized
again that he was not of the com
mon herd , and the innate coquetry of
ier nature obtained mastery. What
harm could it do for her to chat with
him for half an hour ? It was better
than eating a lonely meal , and , be
sides , she might learn something of
value to report to Hawley. Her own n
eyes brightened , the slight frown dis
appearing
"You are certainly an Illustration of
your theory , " she said pleasantly. "I
shall have to say yes. but , really. I did
not suppose you would enjoy being
ranked among that class. "
He drew out a chair , and sat down
facing her , leaning slightly forward
upon the intervening table.
"Nor would I , only I recognize you
do not comprehend. The source of V
your Information is a bit polluted. tl :
Miss Maclaire. There are those whose
good opinion I do not seek , and you
should not form your decisions on the
unsupported testimony of a personal w
enemy. " t : :
"Oh. indeed , " rather resenting the H
Hw
words , and already regretful of her w
compliance. "Surely I have as much
reason to trust my informant as I
have you. He , at least , has proven f (
himself a friend. " tl
tlei
"I wish I could feel as fully assured ! ei
that as you do , " he returned honest- eiw
. "I would then have every tempta I
tion to meddle further taken away y <
from me. Do you realize that my In fc
terest is very largely upon your ac fcPi
count ? " Pi
"Oh , no. " laughing. " 1 couldn't b -
Heve ! that I I have heard it wnis-
pered ; it might be because of the other
girl. "
"The other girl ! " in complete sur
prise at this swift return.
"Yes. sir , " conscious of having at
tained the upper hand. "Miss Hope
Waite. "
"Some more of Mr. Hawley's fan
cies , " he retorted , perplexed that so
much should be suspected. "Have you
seen her ? "
"Why , of course. I am a woman ,
Mr. Keith , with all the natural curi
osity of my sex. In this case I had
special reason to be interested. One
does not meet her counterpart every
day. "
"The resemblance between you is
certainly most striking. "
"Sufficiently so , " she said slowly ,
her eyes on his face , "to abundantly
confirm in my mind the truth of all
that has been told me. "
The waiter approached with the or
ders , and the two remained in silence
until he had deposited his load upon
the table , and departed. She was
watching the face opposite through
lowered lashes that veiled her eyes ,
but Keith was first to break the still
ness ,
"I wish I might be told what that
was. "
"To what do you refer ? " apparent
ly forgetful as to where their conver
sation had been broken.
"To Hawley's proposition. "
"No doubt , " her lips smiling , "but
you have come to the wrong market.
Mr. Jack Keith. "
"Yet , " he insisted earnestly , "if this
is all straight , with no fraud conceal
ed anywhere , if you have the proofs in
your hands , why are you afraid to talk
openly ? The very manner in which
Hawley works should convince you
he ' is himself afraid to face the truth. "
"No , you are wrong. There are per
fectly satisfactory reasons why we
should for the present keep our plans
"I Like Many People Whom Perhaps I
Ought Not , Including You , Mr.
Jack Keith. "
secret. There are details yet to be de
cided upon , and Mr. Hawley's present
objection to publicity Is only ordinary
prudence. "
She leaned toward him , her fingers
playing nervously with a knife.
"Mr. Keith. I cannot help but like
you , and I also feel most kindly dis
posed toward Mr. Hawley. I wish in
this 1 was no longer compelled to con
sider you an enemy of us both. There
is no reason why I should , except for
your blind prejudice against this other
man who is my friend. I know you
have some cause , for he has told me
the entire story , yet I am sure he did
no more than his actual duty. He let
me realize how very sorry he was that
the marshal at Carson City had called
upon him for assistance. "
"Who ? Hawley ? " Keith questioned ,
hardly trusting his own ears.
"Yes ; indeed he is a very different
man from what you have been led to
believe. I know he is a gambler , and
all that , but really It is not altogether
his fault. He told me about his life ,
and it was very sad. He was driven
from home when only a boy , and
naturally drifted into evil company.
His one ambition is to break away ,
ind redeem himself. I am so anxious
to help him , and wish you could real
ize his purpose , as I do , and become
tils friend. Won't you , for my sake ?
Why , even in this affair he has not
he slightest mercenary purpose he
las only thought of what was rightful7
y mine. "
u
Keith listened , feeling to the full the
c
woman's earnestness , the impossibill-
y of changing her fixed conviction.
Hawley had planted his seed deep and
svell in fruitful soil.
"You make a strong and charming
idvocate. Miss Maclaire , " he returned ,
'eeling the necessity of saying some-
ihing. "I should like to have you
jqually earnest on my side. Yet it
ivill be hard to convince me that
Black Bart' is the paragon of virtue
rou describe. 1 wish I might believe
'or your sake. Did he also explain
low he came into possession of these
japers ? "
"Ob. yes. indeed ; there IK no secret
about that They were entrusted to
him by an old man whom he discov
ered sick in Independence , and who
died in his rooms three years ago
Mr. Hawley has been searching ever
since for the old man's granddaughter
It is remarkable how he was finally
convinced that I was the one. "
"A photograph , was It not ? "
A gleam of sudden suspicion ap
peared in the brown eyes , a slight
change in facial expression.
"That was a clue , yes , but far from
being all. But why should I tell you
this ? you believe nothing I say. "
"I believe that you believe ; that
you are fully convinced of the justice
of your claim. Perhaps it is just , but
I am suspicious of anything which
Bart Hawley has a hand in. Miss
Christie , you really make me wish to
retain your friendship , but I cannot
do so if the cost includes faith in
Hawley. Do you know that is not
even his name that he lives under an
alias ? "
"Is there anything strange in that
out here ? " she asked stoutly. "I told
you how deeply he regretted his life ;
that alone would be sufficient cause
for him to drop his family name. Did
you ever learn his true name ? "
He was not sure only as Neb hac
reported what Waite had called the
man , yet ventured a direct reply.
"Bartlett , I believe he uses it now
as a prefix. "
"Bartlett ! Bartlett ! " her hands
clasping , and unclasping nervously
"Why , what a strange coincidence ! "
"How ? What do you mean ? "
"Oh , nothing nothing , " bitting her
lips In vexation. "The name merely
recalled something. But really , I must
go , Mr. Keith , or I shall be late at the
theater. You have not attended since
I came ? "
"No , " arising from the table with
her. "However , I have heard you
sing before , and hope I may again. "
"How tenderly you dwell on thai
word 'hope. ' " she said banteringly. "It
almost makes me envious. "
"Your resemblance almost makes
me forget. "
"But not quite ? "
"No , not quite , " he confessed ,
smiling back into her quizzing eyes.
They went out into the hall togeth
er , only to meet with Doctor Fairbain
at the door. The latter stared at the
two with some embarrassment , for a
moment forgetful of his purpose. His
gaze settled on the face of the lady.
"Always getting you two mixed. " ho
blurted forth. "Never saw such re
semblance positively uncanny same
hotel too means trouble this Miss
Waite ? "
"No , Doctor ; I am Miss Maclaire.
"Ought to have known it if 1 knew
as much about faces as I do about an
atomy never would make such mis
take very sorry what fooled me was
seeing you with Keith thought he
was after the other one gay dog
though never satisfied was hunting
after you. "
"After me ? " evidently amused.
"Certainly you went to the room
then to the clerk said you were
In at supper just occurred to me
streets here bad at night thought I'd
ask you to let me escort you to thea
ter and back a bit of lunch later "
he glanced suspiciously at Keith
"probably got here too late. "
"Well , really , you have. Doctor , "
she replied sweetly , veiling her eyes
to hide their laughter. "But I can as
sure you it is not Mr. Keith , " cour-
tesying slightly to the latter , "for he
has not honored me ; we merely met
by chance at the table. 1 am sure I
should enjoy your company exceeding
ly , but to-night I must plead a previ
ous engagement. "
"Ah ah , some other night ? "
"With pleasure , yes. "
The doctor faded away into the of
fice , not wholly satisfied because Keith
still lingered. Miss Christie extended
her hand.
"Isn't he a funny man ? But I do like
him someway-I like so many people
whom perhaps 1 ought not , including
you. Mr. Jack Keith. Please think
over what I told you about Mr. Haw
ley , won't you ? "
"Certainly ; you have given ma food
for thought I presume he is to be
your escort ? "
She bowed , evidently resenting the
question.
"Yes , and it may Interest you to
know that he has something of the ut
most importance to tell me to-night
he has actually seen my guardian.
Don't you wish you could be there ? "
She gave him a tantalizing smile ,
withdrawing her hand , and running
up the stairs before he could answer.
Over the railing of the landing she
glanced down , and then disappeared.
( TO BE CONTINUED. )
His Worth.
"You want $50 for that dog ? It's
preposterous. "
"But he's a splendid bloodhound. "
"Then by your own admission. he'
only worth a scent. "
Paraplule Prattle.
"Why didn't you bring my umbrella
back before ? "
'It's been raining all the week. "
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