gether happily. "Let me explain, Captain Keith, for
really I have not been masquerading. Doctor Fairbain and I arrived upon
the same train last evening. He is such a funny man, but was very nice,
and offered to escort me to the hotel. I remember now that although he
introduced himself, I never once thought to mention 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 saw 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 Hickock--and the impudent
fellow actually declared he knew me, that I was Christie Maclaire. 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 me by
that name?"

"Quite likely; at least Fairbain still believes it was the fair Christie
whom he so gallantly escorted last night."

"How provoking," her foot tapping the floor, a little wrinkle between
her eyes. "It seems as though I couldn't escape that woman--does
she--does she really look like me?"

"At a little distance, yes," he admitted, "her form and face resemble
yours very closely, but her hair is darker, her eyes have a different
expression, and she must be five or six years older."

"Do--do you know her well?"

"No, indeed; I have seen her several times on the stage, but never met
her until a few moments ago."

"A few moments ago! Do you mean she is here in this hotel?"

"Yes, Miss Hope, and that was what made the mistake in names so
laughable. Fairbain gave me your message, but as coming from Christie. I
was, of course, greatly surprised, yet responded. The lady very promptly
denied having sent for me, but as I 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 not go to your room? I have
much to tell you."

Her questioning eyes left his face, and stared down over the rail. A
heavily built man, with red moustache, leaned against the clerk's desk,
his face toward them.

"Do you k