Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1909-08-12

AA..'~fn, hnkwoO0 assured her. ana
OF the girl quickly, You're going bacl
homer he asked.
She nodded with a faint puzzled
smile that included the woman. "Afte,
q little-not Immediately. Mrs. Hal
lam is so kind"-
Pardon me-" he interrupted, "but
tell me one thing, please. Have you
any one In England to whom you car
go without invitation and be welcomed
and cared for-any friends or rela
tions?"
Dorothy will be with me-" Mrs
Italian answered for her, with cold
defiance.
Deliberately insoIent, Kirkwood
turned his back to the woman. Miss
Calendar. will you answer my question
Tor yourscif?" he asked the girl point.
eddy.
why. yes, several friends-none in
London. but
Dorothy
"One moment, Mrs. Hallam," Kirk
wood flung crisply over his shoulder
I'm going to ask you something rath-
er odd. Miss Calendar" he continued.
seeking the girls eyes. Il hope"-
Dorothy. p
IF you please, Mrs. Hallam," sug-
gested the girl. with just the right
shade of independence, Il wish to
listen to Mr. kirkwood He has been
very kind to me and has every right"
She turned to him again. leaving the
woman GREATNESS and speechless with
anger.
You told me once" Kirkwood coz
unued quickly and, he felt. brazenly,
that you considered me kind, thought
full and considerable. You know me no
better today than you did then, but l
want to beg you to trust me a little.
Can you trust yourself to my protec-
ton until we reach your friends In
England?"
why, p the girl faltered. taken
by surprise.
Mr.. kirkwood!" cried Mrs. Hallam
angrily, finding her voice.
kirkwood turned to meet her on
slaught with mien grave, determined.
unflinching. please do not interfere.
madam" he said quietly.
you are impertinent, sir! Dorothy.
| forbid you to listen to this person.
The girl flushed, lifting her chin
trifle. "ForbidY" she repeated wonder
ingly.
kirkwood was quick to take advan-
tage of her resentment. Mrs. Hallam
is not fitted to advise you," he insisted,
NOR can she control your actions. 1t
must already have occurred to you
that you're rather out of place in the
present circumstances. The men who
have brought you hither l believe you
already see through to some extent.
Forgive my speaking plainly But that
is why you have accepted Mrs. Hal
lam's offer of protection. VIII you
take my word for 1t when 1 tell you
she has not your right interests at
heart, but the reverse? l happen to
know. Miss Calendar, and r.
"How dare you, sir?"
Flaming with rage, Mrs. Hallam put
herself bodily between them. confront
Ing Kirkwood in white Tipped despera-
e4oh, hck SiAldll &IONeu uduu8 cllncneO
and quiyering at her sides. her green
eyes dangerous.
But kirkwood could silence her, and
he did. DO you wish me to speak
frankly, madam? Do you wish me to
tell what l know and all l know"
with rising emphasis, .of your social
status and your relations with Calen-
dar and Mulready? l promise you that
If you wish it or force me to it,
But he had need to say nothing fur
Their. The woman's eyes wavered be-
fore his, and little sob of terror forced
itself between her shut teeth Kirk
wood smiled grimly, with a face of
brass, impenetrable. infiexible And
suddenly she turned from him with in
different bravado
"As Mr.. Kirkwood says, Dorothy"
she said In her high metallic voice, II
have no authority over you But If
you're silly enough to consider for
moment this fellows insulting sugges-
ton. IL you're fool enough to go with
him unchaperoned through Europe and
imperil your
Mrs. Hallam! Kirkwood cut her
short, with menacing tone.
why. then. | wash my hands OF
you,' concluded the woman defiantly
MAKE your choice, my child" she
added, with meaning laugh, and