The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1909-09-10

vance from the shadow. Muiready
started and Hxed him with q troubled
and UBfrieDdly stare. The girl greeted
him with a note Of sincere pleasure 70
her surprise.
why, Mr.. RirkWOodl But left you
At Mrs. Haliam'sF'
KirkWOOd bowed, smiling openly at
Mulrehdy's discontinue.
by your fathers grace came with
him." no said. "YOu ran away without
saying good night, you know, and I'm
q Jealous creditor"
She laughed excltedly. turning 10
Calendar. but you were 20 meet me
at Mrs. Hallam'sT
"Mulready was good enough to try
10 save me the trouble, my dear He's
an unselhsh soul. Mulready. Fortu-
nately II happened that I came along
not Eve minutes after he'd carried you
on. How was that. DorOthyT
Her glance waveFed uneasily between
the two, Mulrendy and her father The
former. Struggling TO declare bis indlf.
ference turned bis back squarely upon
them. She frowned.
"He came out Of Mrs. .HaIlam's and
got into the four wheeler, saying you
had sent him 10 take your place and
would Join us on the Alethea."
"So-ol How about It. MureadyP'
The man swung back slowly. what
you choose 70 think" he said after q
deliberate pause.
"Well. never mindl Wen 20 over
the matter nc our leisure on the Ale
thea"
There was IN the adventures tone
q menace, bitter and not to be ignored,
which Mulready saw 6t to challenge.
II think not" he declared. 81 think
not I'm weary Of your addIe pated
Suspicious. IT'D be plain 10 any one
but a fool that ! acted for the best
interests Of ell concerned IN this mat.
ter. II you're not content 10 see II IN
that light I'm done"
"Oh. " you want 10 put II that way
I'm not content Mr.. MulFeady," 70.
t0rted Calendar dangerously.
please yourself. bid yOu good
evening and-goOdby." The man took
a step toward the stairs.
Calendar dropped his right hand into
his topc0at pocket. "Just a minute"
be said sweetly. and muIready stopped.
Abruptly the fat adventureFs smOIder-
ing resentment leaped in dame. THAT
Will be about all. Mr. Mulreadyi Bout
face you hound. aud get into that
bont! D'y0u think III temP0rlze With
you 100 duomsdsyi Then forget H.
You're wrong, dend wrong. Your
bluG's called. aid with an evll chuc-
klc-"i hold u full house. AlulrCady-
every chamber taken" tie lifted |
meanlngly the hand IN the coat pocket !
"Now. ~ with YOU
with a grin aud swaEger Of pure
brayndO Mulready turned and Obeyed |
UnnOtlced Of any save perhaps Calen. !
dar himself the bont had drawn IN at
the stage d moment earlier. Mulready |
dropped into II and threw himself sui
lenly upon the mIdships thwart
Nov. Dorothy. IN you 90, my dear"
continued Calendar. with a self salts
ned wag OF his head.
Half dazed. 10 oil seeming, she NOV
cd toward the boat with clumsy and
assertiye gallantry her father stepped
before her. Offering his hsnd-hls hand |
which she ala not touch. for In the act
Of descending she remembered and
swung impulslvely back b Klrkwood |
Good night, Mr. KlrkwOOd. Good
night. ] shan't forget"
He took her hand and bowed above
u, bHt when bis head was lifted be
still retained her fingers IN q lingering !
clasp
Good night" he said reluctantly. !
In q sudden flush OF daring he turned |
and nodded coolly TO Calendar. "wlth !
your permission" he said negllgontly
and drew the girl aside 10 the angle
OF the stairway.
"Ailss Calendar ho began, but was
interrupted.
Here EayT'
Calendar bad started toward him an
grily,
Klrhwood calmly waved him back.
II want a word IN private with your
Daughter, Me-. Calendar" he an
nounced, with quiet dignity. Il don't
think you'f deny me- I've saved you
some slight trouble tonight"
DisgFuntled. the adventurer paused
"Oh. Ell right" be grumbled. he 70
turned 20 the boat