Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 8, 2025
"But I have received two letters signed by that name, and rather expected the gentleman would call 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 Maclaire, even friendship. You, of course, know who this individual is?" "No," the short monosyllable was not encouraging.
Whether I wish to or not, I am compelled to trust myself to your protection. You may call me Christie Maclaire, or anything else you please; you may even think me unworthy respect, but you possess the face of a gentleman, and as such I am going to trust you I must trust you. Will you accept my confidence on these terms?" Keith did not smile, nor move.
Then his eyes chanced to meet hers across the narrow table, and instantly the gentleman within him reawoke to life. "I have been a perfect brute," he acknowledged frankly, "with no thought except for myself. Hunger was my master, and I ask your forgiveness, Miss Maclaire." Her eyes smiled.
"Was your call upon Miss Maclaire very interesting? Did you admire her very 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.
This evening, taking advantage of the remarkable resemblance existing between herself and Miss Maclaire, Miss Hope decided upon a mask " "What's that," Waite broke in excitedly. "Is Hope here?" "Yes, has been for a week; we've had all the police force of Sheridan hunting you."
The face under the shadow of the mantilla was so arch and piquant, Keith could not disguise his admiration. "Am I Christie Maclaire?" she asked laughingly. "Sufficiently so to fool our friend," he returned, "but I am ready to swear that lady never looked so charming." "A compliment, and spoken as though you really meant it."
"If he only knew I was here," she exclaimed wearily, "it might be so different, but, oh, we are all of us just groping in the dark." Then Keith turned to his chance meeting with Miss Maclaire, and repeated carefully their conversation, dwelling particularly upon the few admissions which had slipped through her lips.
Hope's picture shown by the boy, and reminding Hawley at once of Christie Maclaire, had been the basis of the whole plot. Exactly what the details of that plot might be Keith could not figure out, but one thing was reasonably certain it was proposed to defraud Hope. And who in the very truth was Hope?
One thing alone she felt was in her favor however familiar Hawley attempted to be, he was evidently not yet sufficiently sure of Miss Maclaire to become entirely offensive. She might not have frowned at his love-making, but apparently he had not yet progressed sufficiently far in her good graces to venture to extremes.
"Miss Christie Maclaire?" he asked, as though in doubt. "Yes," graciously, won instantly by the man's appearance and manner, "you wished to see me? Will you be seated?" He crossed the narrow room to the stiff-backed chair indicated, and the lady sank negligently down into her own, resting her head against a pillow, and regarding him expectantly.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking