y you desired to see me?"

Another suspicion had taken possession of her mind, for the men of that
section were never backward in exhibiting admiration, yet somehow this
man did not seem exactly of that kind.

"I came merely because I was sent for, Miss Maclaire," he replied,
his gray eyes once again upon her face. "Doctor Fairbain gave me your
message; I am Jack Keith."

She looked the complete astonishment she felt, sitting up in the chair,
her eyes filled with questioning doubt.

"Doctor Fairbain! My message! Surely you are mistaken? I know no one of
that name, and have sent no message."

"You did not express a desire to see me?"

She laughed, exhibiting a row of white teeth.

"Certainly not; not until this moment was I even of the existence of Mr.
Jack Keith."

His own eyes smiled in response to the challenge of hers.

"I can assure you the surprise was mine also," he hastened to inform
her, now more at ease, as he grasped the 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 you 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 uplifted.

"Yes, I make that confession frankly, yet this call comes from no such
desire. I had no question when I came, but what I had been sent for--you
will believe this?"

"I suppose I must, yet it seems very peculiar," she replied, feeling
convinced that he was a gentleman, and troubled as 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 really I do not know that I have
anything to conceal."

"Then I will risk the effort--do you know a man named Hawley?--Bartlett
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 trifle
confused. "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 sho