The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-07-15

found himself forced to be cruel to Ne
kind to the girl. and Dorothy's cheer
full acquiescence to their sole alterna-
tive Of tramping the street until day
break did nothing to alleviate Kirk
woods evaporation.
1t was permitted them to occupy a
bench outside the station. There the
girl, her head pillowed on the treas
ure bag. mapped uneasily. while Kirk
wood plodded restlessly to and fro.
up and down the platform, adding his
poor, weary wits with the problem Of
the future-not SO much his own as
the future Of the unhappy child for
whose welfare be had assumed re-
sponsibiltty. Dark for both Of them,
In his understanding tomorrow doomed
darkestsfor her.
Not until the gray. formless light Of
the dawn dusk was wavering over the
land did be cease his ORGANIZATIONS
Then a gradual stir Of life In the city
streets, together with the appearance
Of station porter or two. opening the
waiting rooms and preparing them
against the trafiic Of the day. warned
him that he must rouse his charge.
He paused and stood over her, reluc-
tant to disturb her rest. such as 1t was,
his heart torn with compassion for
her. his soul imbittered by the cruel
irony Of their estate.
II what he understood were true. a
kings ransom was secreted within the
cheap imitation leather satchel which
served her for pillow. But 1t availed
her nothing for her comfort. II what
he believed were true, she was abso-
lutte mistress Of that treasure Of jew
els, yet that night she had been forced
to sleep ON q hard. uncushioned bench
I'm the open air, and this morning he
must waken her to the life Of hunt
ed thing. A week ago she had had at
her command every luxury known to
the civilized world; today she was
friendless hut for his inefficient. worth
less self and In q strange land. A
week ago. had he known her then. he
bad been free to tell her Of his love.
to offer her the protection Of his name
as well as bis devotion; today he was
an all but penniless vagabond and
there could be no dishonor deeper than
to let her know the nature Of his
hearts desire.
Was ever lover hedged from a dec
laratioa to his mistress by circum-
stances 20 hateful, % untoward? He
could have ragged and rallied against
his fate like any mailman. for he de-
sired her greatly. and she was very
lovely In his sight. She was TO him
Of all created things the most wonder
full, the most desirable.
The temptation of his longing seem
ed more than he could long withstand.
But resist he must or part forever
with any title to her consIderation--or
his own. He shut his teeth and knot
ted his brows In q transport Of desire
to touch. IL only with ibis finger tips,
the woven wonder Of her hair.
And thus she saw him when, with
out warning. she awoke.
Bewilderment at first informed the
wide brown eyes. then. rs their
drowsiness vanished, q little laughter.
a little tender mirth.
Good morning. Sir knight OF the
Somber countenance- she cried.
standing up. Am ! 30 utterly dlsrep-
utable that you nnd IL necessary 10
fsuwn on me 50 darkly?-
He shook his head, smiling.
Il know I'm q fright" she asserted.
vigorously shaking out the folds OF her
plated skirt. "And. as for my hat. II
win never be on straight; but. then.
you wouldn't know"
1T seems an right be replied
eantiy.
Then please to try to look little
happier since Joe ind me quite pre-
senthble-
Il do
Without Hitting her Bonded head she
ACsr0 NY AeSuAhes NV 49, bsSASSss.
YOU'D say 50 reallyY
Far down the railway tracks there
rose a murmuring that waxed to a
rumbling roar. A passing porter an
swered Kirsvood's inquiry: It was the
night boat train from ostend. lie
picked up their bags and drew the girl
Into the ". iting room. troubled by n
siekening foreboding.
Through be window they watched
the train roll In and stop
Among others alighted, Sinking. the
unspeakabis Hobbs.
He lifted his hat and bowed jaunti-
" to the waiting room window, max.
ing II plain that his keen eyes had dis.
covered them instantly.
CHAPTER xxvI.
~ IRKw GODS heart sank with
II the hopelessness Of Il all. II
N the railway directories Of Eu.
~ - robe conspired ngaIngt them