uld not, as yet, fully grasp the situation, but
he remained loyal to the one overpowering truth that he loved Christie
Maclaire. Fairbain's nature was rough, original, yet loyal to the core.
He had lived all his life long in army camps, and upon the frontier, and
his code of honor was extremely simple. It never once occurred to him
that Christie's profession was not of the highest, or that her life and
associations in any way unfitted her for the future. To his mind she was
the one and only woman. His last memory of her, as the little party of
men filed out of that room, haunted him until he finally dropped out of
the search, and drifted back toward the hotel.

It was a late hour, yet it was hardly likely the woman had retired.
Her excitement, her interest in the pursuit, would surely prevent that;
moreover, he was certain he saw a light still burning in her room, as
he looked up from the black street below. Nevertheless he hesitated,
uncertain of his reception. Bluff, emphatic, never afraid to face a man
in his life, his heart now beat fiercely as he endeavored to muster the
necessary courage. Far down the dark street some roysterer fired a shot,
and sudden fear lest he might be sought after professionally sent the
doctor hurriedly within, and up the stairs. He stood, just outside her
door, quaking like a child, the perspiration beading his forehead, but a
light streamed through the transom, and he could plainly hear movements
within. At last, in a sudden spasm of courage, he knocked softly.
Even in that noisy spot she heard instantly, opening the door without
hesitation, and standing fully dressed within. She was no longer a
discouraged, sobbing girl, but an aroused, intent woman, into whose
pathetic, lonely life there had come a new hope. She appeared younger,
fairer, with the light shimmering in her hair and her eyes smiling
welcome.

"Oh, Doctor," and her hands were thrust out towards him, "I am glad you
have come. Somehow, I thought you would, and I have wanted so to talk to
someone--to you."

"To me! Do you really mean that, Miss Christie?"

"Yes, I really mean that, you great bear of a man," and the girl laughed
lightly, dragging him into the room, and closing the door. "Why, who
else could I expect to come to-night? You were the only one really good
to me. You--you acted as if you believed in me all the time--"

"I did, Christie; you bet I did," broke in the delighted doctor, every
nerve tingling. "I'd 'a'