The San Francisco call., 1909-01-03

j
posure. There was now a normal col
oring in the heavily jowled counte-
nance with less CLINT Of fear in the
quick, dark eyes; and Calendars hand,
even If moist and cold. no longer
trembIed. Furthermore it was i'm
mediately demonstrated that his i'm
pudence had not deserted him.
why. Kirkwood my dear fellow
he crowed-not so loudly as to attract
attention, but in tone assumed to
divert suspicion. should he be over
heard. This is great luck, you know
Ito find you here"
"Ts it?" returned Kirkwood coolly.
He disengaged his fingers.
The pink plump face was contorted
in a furtive grimace OF depreciation.
without waiting for permission Cal
endar dropped into the vacant chair.
MY dear sir" he proceeded. una
Dashed. '1 throw myself upon your
mercy"
THE devil you dor'
'I must. I'm in the deuce Of a hole
and there's no one l know here besides
yourself IL"
Kirkwood saw fit to lead him on
partly because, out OF the corner OF
his eye he was aware Of the girls
unconcealed suspense. go on, please,
Mr.. Calendar. You throw yourself on
a total strangers mercy because you're
in the deuce Of hole; ard-y
IT'S this way: I'm called away on
urgent business-imperativ business
I must goat once. My daughter is
with me-my daughteri Think of my
embarrassment; I can not leave her
here, alone, nor can 1 permit her to
go home unprotected
Calendar paused IN anxiety.
That's easily remedied, then" sug-
gested Kirkwood.
'IIow?"
Put her In a cab at the door"
ct No. The DEVIL I couldn't
think of it You won't understand.
T."
'T do not understand" amended
the younger man politely.
Calendar compressed his lips nerv-
ously. Tt was plain that the man was
ouivering with impatience and half
mad with excitement He held quiet
only long enough to regain his self
control and take counsel with his pru-
dence.
'Tt is impossible, Mr.. Kirkwood. ]
must ask you to be generous and be-
Iieve me-"
Very well; for the sake OF argu-
ment, I do believe you. Mr.. Calendar -
HIP exploded the elder man In
an undertone. Then swiftly, stammer-
ing in his haste: "I can't let Dorothy
accompany me to the door," he de-
clared She'll throw myself upon
your mercy"
"What-again?
The truth-the truth is II you will
have 1t, that / am in danger of arrest
the moment 1 leave here. If my
daughter is with me, she will have to
endure the shame and humiliation
Then why place her In such a posi-
tion2" Kirkwood demanded sharply
Calendars eyes burned. incandescent
with resentment. Offended. he offered
to rise and go. but changed his mind
and sat tight in hope.
II beg of you. sir
"One moment, Mr.. Calendar
Abruptly Kirkwood's weathercock
hunor shifted-amusement yielding to
intrigued interest After all. why not
obiige the fellow? What did anything
matter. now2 What harm could visit
him IL he yielded to this corpulent
adventurer's insistence? Both from ex-
perience and observation he knew this
for a world plentifully peopled by sol
diers of fortune, contrivers of snares
and pitfalls for the feet of the unwary
On the other hand ii is automatic that
a penniiess man is perfectly safe any
where. Besides. there was the girl to
be considered.
Kirkwood considered her, forthwith
In the process thereof. his eyes sought
her, perturbed. Their glances clashed.
She looked away hastily, crimson to
her temples.
Instantly the conflict between curl
osity and caution, inclination and dis
trust, was at an end. With sudden
compliance the young man rose.
II shall be most happy to be Of