Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-10-01

1t. I've never been IN brussels, ana
heaven only knows how long it would
take us to cab it from the Care du
Midi to the Nord."
In this statement, however, Mr..
Kirkwood was fortunately mistaken.
Not only heaven, it appeared, had
cognizance of the distance between
the two stations. While Kirkwood
was still debating the question, with
pessimistic tendencies. the friendly |
guard had occasion to pass through |
the coach and, being tapped, yielded
the desired information with entire
tractability.
1t would be a cab ride of perhaps ten
minutes. Monsieur. however, would
serve himself well if he offered the
driver an advance tip as an incentive
to speedy driving. Why? Why, be-
cause (here the guard consulted his
watch, and Kirkwood very keenly re-
gretted the loss of his own)-because
this train, announced to arrive in Brus-
sells some twenty minutes prior to the
departure of that other, was already
late. But, yes, matter of some ten
minutes-could that not be made up?
All, monsieur, but who should say?
The guard departed, doubtless with
private views as to the madness of all
English speaking travellers.
"And there we are" commented
Kirkwood in Fictitious resignation.
IF were obliged to stop overnight in
Brussels our friends will be on our
back before we can get out in the
morning If they have to 1come by
motor car" He reflected bitterly on
the fact that with but a little more
money at his disposal he, too, could
hire motor car and cry defiance to
their prosecutors. However" he
amended, with rising spirits, 80 much
the better our chance of losing Mr..
Hobbs. We must be ready to drop o.
the instant the train stops"
He began to unfold another time
table, threatening again to lose HIM
self completely, and was thrown into
the utmost confusion by the touch Of
the girls hand, in appeal placed lightly
on his arm. And had she been observ-
ant she might have seen second time
| his knuckles whiten beneath the skin
as he asserted his self control, though
/ this time not over his temper.
His eyes, dumbly eloquent, turned to
meet hers. She was smiling.
"Please!' she iterated, with the least
! imperative pressure on his hand. push
ing the folder aside.
II beg pardon!' he muttered blankly.
rs it quite necessary, now, to study
those schedules? Haven't you decided
to try for the Bruges eNpress?"
"Why, yes, but
Then please don't leave me to my
thoughts all the time, Mr.. kirkwood."
There was tremor of laughter in her
voice, but her eyes were grave and
earnest. I'm very weary of thinking
round in Il circle. and that" she con
GUIDED. with nervous little laugh, sis
all I've had to do for days"
Pm afraid I'm very stupid he hui
morcd her
She watched him, Il little piQued by
his absentminded mood for moment
then, and not without Il trace of NAL
ice, Must l tell you again what tc
talk about" she asked.
> "Forgiye me. | was thinking about
if not talking to you. I've been won
derins just why it was that you left
the !Aethea at Queensborough to &C
on by steamer"
And Immediately he was sorry thai
his tactless query had swung the con
vcrsation to bear upon her father, thu
thought of whom could not but prove
painful to her. But it was too late t;
mend matters. Already her evanescen
flush of amusement had given place tt
remembrance.
ut was on my fathers account" sh
told him in steady voice, but wit
averted eyes. He is q very poor sal
or, and the promise of a rough passag
l terrified him. believe there was
. difference of opinion about it, he dis
putting with Mr. Mulready and Capital
1 Strykcr That was just after we ha
: left the anchorage They both insiste
that it was safer to continue by th
Alethea, but he wouldn't listen
them and in the end had his wa.
into the mouth of the Midway an
put us ashore Just in time to catch til
. steamer"
"Wcre you sorry for the changer
,. "I?" She shuddered slightly. "Hardl,
:, think l hated the ship from the M
= ment l set foot on board her. 1t w;
:, dreadful place. 1t was all nightma
:. ish that night, but it seemed most tie
:, rible on the Alethea with CAPITA
Stryker and that abomnable NJ
e Hobbs. l think that my unhappine
u had as much to do with my father
= insstence on the change as anythin
=. He was very thoughtful most of Il
:. time"
- Kirkwood shut his teeth on what
q knew Of the blackguard.
y. 81 don't know why" she continue
wholly without affectation, "but l w
~ wretched from the moment you lie
r. me in the cab to wait while you we
- in to see Mrs. Hallam. And when :
= left you at Bermondsey Old Stall
10 after what you had said to me, felt
IN 1 hardly know what to say-abandon
" in way"
III But you We're with your father,
~ his care"
81 know, but l was getting &C
Is fused. Until then the excitement h
" kept me from thinking. But you ma
IN me think. l began to wonder, to OUT
ST ton But what could do?" She S
We nificd her helplcssness with a qui