The San Francisco call., 1909-03-14

his tactless query had swung the con-
versation TO bear upon her father, the
thought of whom could not but prove
painful to her But 1t was too late to
mend matters; already her evanescent
flush Of amusement had given place to
remembrance.
Tt was on my fathers account" she
told him in a steady voice, but with
averted eyes; "he is a very poor sailor
and the promise of a rough passage
terrified him. I believe there was a
difference of opinion about 1t, he dis
putting with Mr.. Mulready and Captain
Stryker. That was just after we
had left the anchorage. They both
insisted that It was safer to continue
by the Alethea, but he wouldn't listen
to them, and in the end had his way.
Captain Stryker ran the brigantine into
the mouth of the Medway and put us
ashore just in time to catch the
steamer"
Were you sorry for the changer"
~" She shuddered slightly. Hard
lyi I think 1 hated the ship from the
moment I set foot on board her. It
was dreadful place; it was all night
marish, that night, but it seemed most
terrible on the Alethea with Captain
Stryker and that abominable Mr.. Hobbs,
I think that my unhappiness had as
much TO do with my fathers insistence
on the change as anything. He
he was very thoughtful most OF the
time"
Kirkwood shut his teeth on what he
knew of the blackguard.
II don't know why" she continued,
wholly without affectation. ''but I was
wretched from the moment you left
me in the cab. to wait while you went
In to see Mrs. Hallam. And when we
left you, at Bermondsey Old Stairs
after what you had said to me, felt
I hardly know what to say-abandoned,
in a way"
But you were with your father, in
his care
'I know but I was getting confused.
Until then the excitement had kept me
from thinking. But you made me
think. I began to wonder. to question
But what could 1 do?" She sig
nified her helplessness with quick and
dainty movement of her hands. He is
my father; and I'm not yet of age,
you know"
'T thought So" he confessed. troubled,
It's very inconsiderate of you, you
must admit"
Il don't understand it .
Because of the legal complication.
I've no doubt that your father can
have the law on me'-Kirkwood
laughed uneasily-"for taking you from
his protection
''Protectionw she echoed warmly.
"If you call 1t thatP'
kidnapping" he said thoughtful1y:
Il presume that'd be the charge"
OH" She laughed the notion to
scorn. Besides they must catch us
first, mustn't they?"
"Of course; and'-with a stimulation
Of confidence sadly deceitful-"they
shan't, Mr.. Hobbs to the contrary not
withstanding."
You make me share your confidence
against my better judgment"
I wish your better judgment would
counsel you to share your confidence
with me-" he caught her up. IF you
would only tell me what it is all about,
as far as you know, I'd be better able
to figure what we ought to do"
Briefly the girl sat silent, staring
before her with sweet somber eyes.
Then, in the very beginning" she
told him with conscious laugh-"this
sounds very story -bookish, 1 know
in the very beginning, George Bur-
goyne Calendar. an American. married
his cousin dozen times removed, and
an English woman, Alice Burgoyne
Hallam."
'Hallam"
Wait. please" She sat UP, bending
forward and frowning down upon her
interlacing, gloved fingers; she was
finding 1t difficult to say what she
must. Kirkwood. watching hungriIy
the fair dropping head, the f1awless
profile clear and radiant against the
night blackened window, saw hot sig
mails of shame burning on her cheek
and throat and forehead.
But never mind" he began awk-
wardly.
NO" she told him with decision.
please let me go on. :" She con-
tinued stumbling. trusting to his SYM