Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-01-12

ed her balance; she swayed a little,
and in the effort to recover, rested the
tips of her yloyed fingers upon the
edge of the table. simultaneously
(Kirkwood could have sworn) single
word left her lips, word evidently
pitched for the ear Of the hypothetical
Calendar alone. Then she swept on,
imperturbable, assured
To the perplexed observer it was IN
dubitably evident that some commute.
cation had passed from the woman to
the man. Kirkwood saw the fat shoul-
ders of the girls companion stiffen
suddenly as the woman's hand rested
at his elbow: as she moved away, a.
little ripping ahiver was plainly Wis
ible in the muscles of his back, be.
meath his coat-mute token OF relax.
ing tension. An instant later one
plump and notified hand was careless
ly placed where the woman IS, had been,
and was at once removed with fingers
closed.
To the girl, watching her face COW
ertly, Kirkwood turned for clue to
the incident. He made no doubt that
she had observed the PASSAGE, proof. OF
that one found in her sudden startling
pallor (of indignation?) and in her
eyes, briefly alight with some lnscrut-
ible emotion. though quickly yelled BY
lowered lashes. Slowly enough she
regained color and composure, while
her vis-a-vis sat motionless, head in
clined as if in thought.
Abruptly the man turned in ms
chair to summon a waiter, and exposed
his profile. Kirkwood was in no wise
amazed to recognize Calendar-a bad
| ly frightened Calendar now, however,
and hardly to be identified with the
sleek. glib fellow who had interviewed
Kirkwood in the afternoon. His fiabh}s
cheeks we're ashen and trembling, and
upon the back of his chair the fat
white fingers were drumming inces-
sanity an inaudible tattoo OF shattered
nerves.
| Scared silly commented kirk
! wood. "Why?"
Having spoken to his waiter, Caien-
dar for some seconds raked the room
with quick chances as il seeking an &C,
| uuaintance Presumably disappointed
he swung back to face the girl. benolns
forward to reach her ears with accents
low-pitched and confidential. She. On
her part, fell at once attentive, grave
and responsive. Perhaps dozen sen
fences passed between them. At th2
outset her brows contracted and she
shook her head in gentle dissent
whereupon Calendars manner became
more imperative Gradually, unwiil-
ingly. she seemed to yield consent
Once she caught her breath sharply.
and infected by her companions agi'
Ok AGAIN
in the round young cheeks.
Kirkwood's waiter put in an 1noppor'
tune appearance with the Dill, ihe
young man paid it. When he looKeo
up again Calendar had swung squarels
:, about in his chair. His eye encouA
tered Kirkwood's. He nodded pleas
antly. Temporarily confused, hlrh
wood returned the nod.
In twinkling he had repented; Cal
endar had left his chair and was wend
ing his way through the tables ft
Kirkwood's. Reaching it, he paused
Offering the hand of genial fellowship
Kirkwood accepted it half-heartedlJ
:. what else was he 10 do?) remarkina
at the same time that Calendar had
recovered much Of his composurc
There was now normal coloring in
) the heavily jowled countenance, WIFI
. less CLINT of fear in the quick darF
ewes. and Calendars hand, even il
moist and cold, no longer trembled
Furthermore it was Immediately dem
onstrated that his impudence had moi
deserted him.
"Why, Kirlkwood. my dear fellow
he crowed-not so loudly as to attrac
attention. but in a. tone assumed x
J divert suspicion, should he be over
heard. This is great luck, you know
to find you here"
I as it," returned Kirkwood coolly
He disengaged his fingers.
. The pink plump face was contortet
, in furtive grimace of depreciation
Without waiting for permission Calen
dar dropped into the vacant chair.
"My dear sir" he proceeded, un
abashed, 81 throw myself upon you
mercy"
t "The devil you do.'
81 must. am in the deuce of
I hole, and there's no one | know her
: besides yourself. II
J Kirkwood saw At to lead him on
partly because, out of the corner OF hi
eye, he was aware of the girls uncor
Ceal6d suspense. W oli. pledSc, N1i
: Calendar. You throw yourself on
: total strangers mercy because your
: in the deuce of hole: and"
r Its this way: I'm called away o
$ urgent business-imperative business
). must goat once. My daughter
with me--my daughter! Think of m
/ embarrassment: can not leave he
J., here alone, nor can | permit her
a 20 home unprotected.
;. Calendar paused in anxiety.
/ That's easily remedied, then. SUI
F.; gested Kirkwood.
S How
n Put her in cab at the door
e. Il No. The devil
It couldn't think of it. You won't unde
l. stand. L"
!. 81 do not understand amended tn
II younger man politely.
S Calendar compressed his lips ne
Y vously. 1t was plain that the man W.
a. quivering with Impotence and ha
n mad with excitement. He held quiz
" only long enough to regain his Sc!
y. control and take counsel with his pr
IS dence.