Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1909-06-10

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"Per1ntt me to Introduce an Old friend"
thing which served to make him more
tongue tied than ever
As for his Involuntary protegee, she
exhibited such sweet composure that
he caught himself wondering II she
really appreciated the seriousness Of
her parents predicament-if. for that
matter. its true nature were known to
her at all. Calendar. he believed, was
capable Of prevarication. polite and
impolite. Had he lied to his daughter
or to Kirkwood? To both possibly, to
the former alone not improbably.
That the adventurer had told him the
desperate truth Kirkwood was quite
convinced, but he now began to be-
lieve that the girl had been put of
with some fictitious explanation Her
tranquility and self control were re-
markable otherwise. She seemed very
young to possess those qualities in
such eminent degree.
She was looking YEARLY past him,
her gaze probing some unguessed
abyss Of thought Kirkwood felt him.
self privileged to stare In wonder. Her
naive aloofness of poise gripped his
imagination powerfully-the more SO
perhaps since it seemed eloquent Of
her intention to remain enigmatic-
but by no means more powerfully than
the unaided appeal Of her loneliness.
Presently the girl herself relieved
the tension of the situation, fairly star
Ting the young man by going straight
to the heart of things. without pref
ace or warning, lifting her gaze to
his. my name is really Dorothy CAL
endar,' she observed. And then, not
ing his establishment, You would be
privileged to doubt under the circum-
stances" she added. please let us be
frank"
"Since 1t is to be condolences" (this
she questioned with an all but imper-
ceptible lifting Of the eyebrows). 81
don't mind telling you my own name
is really Philip Kirkwood."
"And you are an old friend of my
father's?"
He opened his lips. but only to close
them without speaking. The girl
moved her shoulders with a SILVER of
disdain.
II knew 1t wasn't So"
'You know 1t would be hard for q
young man like myself to be a very
old friend" he countered lamely
''How long. then, have you known
, each otherY'
Must l answer7"
"Please."
Between three and four hours.'
II thought as much" She stared
past him. troubled. Abruptly she said,
"P1ease smoke"
"Shall 1? If you wish It, Of course
She repeated. please"
"We were to wait ten minutes or
So" she continued.
He produced his cigarette case
IF you care to smoke 1t will seem
an excuse" He lighted his cigarette.
, "And then you may talk to me-" she
concluded calmly.
81 would gladly If l could guess
, what would interest you"
;. yourself Tell me about yourself"
? she commanded.
ut would bore you." he responded
tritely. confused.
mo. You interest me very much"
=. She made the statement quietly, con-
temptuous of coquetry.
every we'll then. l am Philip Kirk
u wood, an American"
Nothing more?"
Little worth retailing"
"Tm sorry"
r. 'Why?" he demanded, piqued.
because you have merely indicated
+, that you are a wealthy American"
y "Why wealthy"
"If not you would have some aim In
\ life, calling or profession"
:, "And you think have none?"
n UNLESS you consider it your voca-
ton to be wealthy American"
Il don't Besides, I'm not wealthy.
a In point of fact. r. He pulled up
short on the vesge of declaring him
!. self a pauper. 81 am painter
\ Her eyes lightened with interest.
r. "An artst?"
r 81 hope so. l don't paint signs-or
n houses" he remarked.
q Amused, she laughed softly. II sus-
pected it, she declared.
s. "Not really?"
pit "It was your way of looking at
d things that made me guess 1.-THE
OF painters way. l have often noticed
IN it."
"As If mentally blending colors all
T, the timer"
In Eyes; that and-seeing flaws"
DR. 81 have discovered none," he told bel
a.
e. fro BE CONTINUED