Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-08-12

Scared sillyw commented Kirk
wood. Why
Having spoken 10 his waiter Caen-
dar for some seconds raked the room
with quick gl0nces. as II seeking an
acquaintance. Presumably disappoint-
ed. he swung back TO face the girl.
bending forward to reach her ears
with accents low pitched and conf
dental. She on her part fell at once
attentive. grave and responsive Per
haps dozen sentences passed be-
tween them. At the outset her brows
contracted, and she shook her head I'm
gentle dissent. whcreupon Calendars
manner became more imperative.
Gradually, unwillinSly, she seemed to
yield consent Once she caught her
breath sharply and, infected by her
companions agitation sat back. color
fading again in the round young
cheeks.
Kirkwood's waiter put I'm an inop-
perfume appearance with the bill The
young man paid II. When he looked
up again Calendar had swung square
ly about In his chair. His eye encoun-
tered Kirkwood's. He nodded pleas
antly. Temporarily confused. Kirk
wood returned the nod
In twinHinR he bad repentcd.
Calendar had left his chair and was
vending his way through the tnbles
toward Kirkwood's. Reaching It, he
paused, offering the hand OF genial
fellowship. Kirkwood accepted II half
heartedly (what else was he To doO,
remarking at the same time that Cal
endar had recovered much OF his com
posture. There was now n normal col
oring in the heavily jowled counte-
nance, with less CLINT OF fear I'm the
quick. dark eyes, and Calendars hand.
even II moist and cold, no longer trem-
bled. Furthermore, IL was immediate
~ demonstrated that his impudence
had not deserted him.
why, Kirkwood, my dear felloww
he cruwed, not so loudly as to attract
attention, but In a tone assumed TO
divert suspicion, should he be over
heard. "rhis is great luck. you know,
TO find you here"
lis IT." returned KirkwoOd cooily
He disengaged his fingers
The pink plump face was contorted
In a furtive grimace OF depreciation.
Without waiting for permission Calen-
dar dropped into the vacant chair.
MY dear sir" he proceeded, uR-
abashed, ~ throw myself upon your
mercy"
THE devil you do"
IL must. I'm I'm the deuce of hole,
and there's no one L know here be-
sides yourself. II
Kirkwood saw fit TO lead him on,
Ntrf Of m Of Inf
eye he was aware of the girls uncon-
cealed suspense. go on, please. Mr..
Calendar You throw yourself on Il
total strangers mercy because you're
In the deuce OF II hole. and
ITS this way. I'm called away on
urgent Dusiness-imperatlye business.
1 must go at once. My daughter is
with me-my daughter! Think OF my
embarrassment. / cannot leave her
here alone, nor can permit her 10 go
home unprotected"
Calendar paused in anxiety.
That's easily remedicd then" sug-
gested KlrkwOod.
Howl
Put her In a cab at the door"
mo. The devil! / couldn't think of
st. You won't understand. r.
81 do not understand" amended the
younger man politely.
Calendar compressed his lips nerv-
ously. 1t was plain that the man was
quivering with Impotence and half
mad with excitement He held quiet
only long enough 10 regain his self
control and take counsel with his pru-
dence
1T IS impossible. Mr. Kirkwood. I
must ask you TO be generous and be
licve me-"
Very well. Tor the sake OF the ar.
gumcnt I do believe you, Mr. Calen-
dar."
Swiftly, stammcring in his haste:
Il can't let Dorothy accompany me to
the door" declared Calendar. SHE
II throw myself upon your mcrcyr'
what AGAIN.
The truth-thc truth Is. If YOU VIII
have &C. that I am I'm danger of arr.qf
the moment leave here. II MY daugh.
ter IS with me she VIII have TO endure
the shame and humiliation
Then why place her in such posi-.
tionr' KirkwOod demanded sharply.
Calendars eyes burned, incsndesoent
with resentment offended. he offered
20 rise aud CO. but changed hts mind
and sat tight IN hope
IT beg Of you. sir
"One moment. Mr. Calendar"
Abruptly Kirkwood's weathorcock
humor shifted. amusement Yielding to
Intrigued interest. After sI why not
oblige the fellow? what did anything
matter now? what harm could visfr
him IL he yielded 10 this corpuient ad-
venturer's inslstencc? Besides. there
was the girl 20 be considered.
I<irkwood considered her forthwith
Tn the process thereof his eyes SOUGHT
her perturbod Their glancos closhcd
She looked away hastily. crimson 10
her temples