Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-02-27

81 can surmise," interrupted the cid
er man shrewdly
you turned up in the nick of time,
for all the world like
Harlequin popping through stage
trap?"
Nolan incarnation of the Provi-
dence that watches over children and
FOOLS"
Brentwick dropped calming hand
upon his shoulder "Your smile seems
singularly happy, Philip. Permit me
to suggest that you join the child in
my study" He laughed quietly, with
a slight nod toward an open door at
the end of the hallway. For myself,
III be with you in one moment"
A faint, indulgent smile lurking in
the shadow of his white mustache, he
watched the young man wheel and
dart through the doorway Young
hearts!" he commented inaudibly-
and trace sadly. Youth! ."
Beyond the threshold Of the study,
Kirkwood paused. eager eyes search
ing it's somber shadows for sign of
Dorothy
A long room and deep, 1t was lighted
only by the circumscribed disk of IL
Elimination thrown on the central desk
by a shaded reading-lamp, and the
Pickering glow of q grate-f1re set be-
meath the mantel of a side-wall. At
the back, heavy velvet portieres cloak
ed the recesses of two long windows,
closed zealously even against the twi-
light. Aside from the windows, doors
and chimney-piece, every foot of wall !
space was occupied by towering book
cases or by shelves crowded to the
limit of their capacity with an amazing |
miscellany Of objects Of art, the fruit
of years of patient and discriminating
collecting. An exotic and heady
atmosphere, compounded of the faint
and intangible exhalations of these in
sentient things, fragrance of sandal
wood, myrrh and musk, reminiscent
whiffs Of half-forgotten incense, seem
ed to intensity the impression of
gloomy richness and repose.
By the fireplace, little to one side,
stood Dorothy, one small foot resting
on the brass fender, her figure merg-
ing into the dusky background, her
delicate beauty gaining an effect OF
elusive and ethereal mystery in the
waning and waxing ruddy glow up
flung from the bedded Goals.
ooh, Philip" She turned swiftly to
Kirkwood with extended hands and a
low broken cry, I'm so glad. 80"
A trace of hysteria in her manner
warned him, and he checked himself
upon the verge of too dangerous ten
derness. "There!" he said soothingly,
letting her hands rest gently in his
palms while he led her to chair. 1--WE
can make ourselves easy now" She
sat down and he released her hands
with a reluctance less evident than
actual ''If, ever l say another word
against my luck"
Who inquired the girl, lowering
} her voice, "who is the gentleman IN
the Powered dressing-gown?"
"Brentwick--George Sylvester Brent
wick: and old friend. I've known him
: for years-ever since I came abroad.
Curiously enough, however, this is the
first time I've ever been here. l called
once, but he wasn't ina few days
/ ago-the day we met. thought the
: place looked familiar. Stupid Of mel"
philip" said the girl with a grave
5 face but shaking voice, sit was. "
t She laughed provokingly. = s. ttIt was
i. so funny, Philip. l don't know why I
and while I ran, I was conscious OF
y the front door, here, opening, and this
D tall man in the Powered dressing
u gown coming down to the gate as II
o 1t we're the most ordinary thing in the
world for him to stroll out dressed
g that way, in the evening. And he
opened the gate, and bowed, and said
k ever so pleasantly, Won't you come
r in, Miss Calender!'-"
.He did" exclaimed Kirkwood
4 "But how"
A .'How can l say?" she expostulated
:. cat all events, he seemed to know me
I. and when he added something abou
= calling you in, too-he said Mr. Kirk
f. wood didn't hesitate
''It's strange enough, surely-ant
\ fortunate Bless his heart!" SAT-
! KirA wood.
It And, HUM" said Mr.. Brentwicl
d considerably, entering the study. H
o. had discarded the dressing-gown an
Is was now in evening dress.
ID The girl rose. Kirkwood turned
a, "Mr. Brentwick-" he began.
le But Brentwick begged his patienc
m with an eloquent gesture. ''Sir," h
is said, somewhat austerely permit m
in to put single question: Have 20
by any chance paid your cabby?"
ID why" faltered the younger maj
IF with flaming face "I-why, no :
III that is"
H. The other quietly put his hand upo
a bell-pull A faint jingling sound wa
n. at once audible, emanating from tn
is basement.
&c -, How l., much should you say you ow
is nlhl
Nv "I-I haven't penny in the world!
ar The shrewd eyes flashed the
" amusement into Kirkwoods. "Tu
" TUT" Brentwick chuckled. "Betwee
gentlemen, my dear boy! Dear me
&. you are slow to learn"
l. I'll never be contented to sponge c
"a my friends" explained Kirkwood
-, deepest misery. II can't tell when
~ 'tTut, tut! How much did ye
-, say?"
ts "Ten shillings-or say twelve, won
ie' be about right" stammered the Anne