Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-12-28

II intend" he told her quietly. ito
see Miss Calendar. It's useless your
trying to hinder me. We may rs well
understand each other, madam, and
I'll tell you now that II you wish to
avoid scene"-
Dorothy" the woman called over
her shoulder. "ring for the porter"
by all MEANS" assented Kirkwood
agreeably. "I'll send him for q gen.
darme."
"You insolent puppyr
madam. your wit disarms me-
"What is the matter. Mrs HallamT
interrupted a voice from the other side
Of the door. "Who is it?'
"Miss Calendarr' cried Kirkwood
hastily. raising his voice.
"Mr. Kirkwood" the reply came on
the instant. She knew his voice
please. Mrs. Hallam, will see Mr.
Kirkwood."
"You have no time to waste with
him, Dorothy" said the woman coldly.
"I must insist
"But you don't seem to understands;
It is Mr.. KirkwoodT argued the girl,
as If he were ample excuse for any
imprudence.
Kirkwood's scant store Of patience
was by this time rapidly becoming ex-
hausted. IT should advise you not to
Interfere any further, Mrs. Hallam,"
he told her In tone low, but charged
with meaning.
How much did he know? She eyed
him an insant longer in sullen suspi-
cion, then swung open the door, yield
ing with what grace she could. won't
you come in, Mr.. Kirkwood" she in
quired, with acidulated courtesy.
'Tf you press me-" he returned win
ningly, chow can I refuse7 You are
too good!
His impertinence disconnected even
himself. He wondered that she did
not slap him as he passed her. enter
Ing the room, and felt that be deserved
It, despite her attitude. But such
thoughts could not long trouble one
whose eyes were enchanted by the
sight Of Dorothy confronting him In
the middle Of the dingy room. her
hands, bristling dangerously with hat
pins, busy with the adjustment Of
small gray toque atop the wonder that
was her hair. So vivacious and charm
Ing she seemed, so spirited and bright
her welcoming smile, 80 foreign was
she altogether to the picture Of her.
worn and distraught, that he had men
tally conjured up. that he stopped
In an extreme of disconcertion and
dropped the hand bag, smiling sheep
ishly enough under her ready laugh
mirth irresistibly melted by the plain
ly read play Of expression on his mo-
bile countenance.
"You must forgive the unconvention-
atty, Mr.. Kirkwood." she apologized,
needlessly enough, but to cover his
embarrassment. 81 am on the point OF
going out with Mrs. Hal!am, and OF
course you are the last person on earth
I expected to meet here"
"It's good to see you. Miss Calen-
dar," he said simply. remarking with
much satisfaction that her trim walk
ing costume bore witness to her state
ment that she was prepared for the
street.
The girl glanced into mirror, patted
the small, bewitching hat an infnitesi-
NAL fraction Of an inch to one side and
turned to him again, her hands free.
One Of them. small. but cordial, rested
in his grasp for an instant all too
brief, the while he gazed earnestly into
her face, noting with concern what the
first glance had not shown him-the al
most impsrceptible shadows beneath
her eyes and cheek bones, pathetic rec
ords of the hours the girl had spent
since last he had seen her in company
with care.
She was changed "a little, but
changed. She had suffered and was
suffering, and, forced by suffering. her
nascent wonianhood was stirring In
the bud. The child that he had met in
London In Antwerp he found grown
to woman's stature and slowly coming
to comprehension Of the nature OF the
change In herself, the wonder OF It
glowing softly In her eyes.
The clear understanding Of mankind
that is an appanage Of woman's estate
was now added to the intuitions Of
girls untroubIed heart. She could not
be blind to the mute alteration Of his
gaze. nor could she resent 1t. Beneath
1t she colored and lowered her lashes.
Il was about to so out" she re.
peated In confusion. lifts pleasant
to see you too"
THANK YOU" he stammered ineptly
"I-I"-
"If Mr.. Kipkwood will excuse us.
Dorothy" Mrs Hallam's sharp tones
struck In discordantly, I'VE shall be
glad to see him when we return to
London"
81 am Infinitely complimented. Mrs
Hallam." Kirk wood assured her. and
Of the girl quickly, You're going back
honc:" he asked.
She nodded. with faint. puzzled
smile that included the woman After
llttle-not Immediately Mrs. Hal
lam Is 50 kind"-
Pardon me-" he interrupted, but
tell me one thing, please. Have you
any one In England to whom you can
go without invitation and be welcomed
and cared for-any friends CT rela.
tions?"
Dorothy will be with me-" Mrs.
Hallam answered for her. with cold
defiance.
Deliberately insolent Kirkwood
turned his back to the woman. Miss
Calendar. will you answer my question
for yourself" he asked the girl point.
edly.
"Why. yes, several friends-none in
London. butt
Dorothy
Zone 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. II hope
Dorothy, p
"If you please, Mrs. Hallam," sug-
gested the girl, with just the right
shade of independence. II wish to
listen to Mr.. Kirkwood. He has been
very kind to me and has every right"