Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-09-16

was pN lllS IHle fapldly becoming eX-
hausted. II should advise you not to
interfere any further, Mrs. Hallam,"
he told her in q tone low, but charged
with meaning.
How much did he know? She eyed
him IN 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 iu-
quired, With %acidulated courtesy.
eff you press me-" he returned Win
ningly, "how can 1 refuse? You are
too good!'
His impertinence disconnected ever
himself. He wondered that she did
hot slap him as he passed her, enter
Ing the room, and felt that he deserved
1t, 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 Il
small gray toque atop the wonder that
was lR' hair. 40 vivacious and charm
Ing she seemed, so spirited and bright
her welcoming smile, so foreign was
she altogether to the picture of her.
worn and distraught. that he had men
tally conjurcd up. that he stopped
i'll an extreme of di%sconcertion and
dropped the hand bag, 1s)iling sheep
ishly enough under her ready laugh
mirtll irreSistibly melted by the plain
" read play of expression ON his mo-
bile "countcnance.
"You must forgive the unconvcntion-
atty, Nj, Kirkwood,'' she apologizcd,
needlcSsly enough. but to cover his
embarrassment. Il am ON the point OF
going out With Mrs. Hallam. and of
course YOU are the last person on earth
| expected TO meet here"
Its good to see you, Miss Calcn-
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 Il mirror, paltcd
the small. bcwitching hat an inlinitesi-
NAL fraction of an inch to one side and
turned To Linn again. her hands free,
One of them, small, but cordial, rested
in his @fa>p for an instant all too
brief. the while he %aZcd earnestly int
her face, noting With concern what the
first glance had NOT shown him-tlle N
most iIape"cVptiole 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. hel
nascent Womanhood Was stirring il
the bud. The child that he had met II
London i'll Antwerp he found grow
to woman's stature and slowly coming
to comprehension of the nature of tho
change in herself, the wonder of i
glowing softly in her eyes.
The clear understanding of mankind
that is an appanage of woman's estat,
was DOW added to the intuitions Of
girls untroubled heart. She could no
be blind to the mute alteration Of hi:
SUE, ~ u III lCSGllC II. bGlleill
it she colored and lowered her lashes.
IL was about to go out" she re
peated in confusion. Tits pleasan
, to see you too.''
"Thank you," he stammered ineptly
DIP
"lf Mr.. kirkwood will excuse us
, Dorothy" Mrs. Hallam's sharp tone
struck in d~iscordantly, I'VE Shall b,
glad to see him when we return t,
l London
Il am infinitely complimented, Mrs
Hallam," Kirkwood assured her. an,
of the girl quickly, You're going bacl
home:" he asked.
She nodded, with a faint, puzzle,
smile that included the woman sAfte
a little-not Immediately. Mrs. Hal
lam is SO kind
Pardon me-" he interrupted, 'bu
tell me IL thing, please. Have 70,
any one in England to whom you cal
, go without invitation and be welcome,
! and cared for-any friends or rela
tions?'
dorothy will be with me" Mrs
t Hallam answered for her, with col,
defiance.
Deliberately insolent, !Iirkwoo,
: turned his back to the woman Mis-
Calendar, will you answer my questio,
E for Nourself?" he asked the Girl point
, eddy.
: why, yes, several friends-none i
: London, butt
: "Dorotly'-
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. 81 hope'-
dorothy, I"-
If you please, Mrs. Hallam,'' sug
gested the girl, with just the RICH
l shade of independence, II wish t,
listen to Mr.. Kirkwood. He has bee,
, very kind to me and has every right.
She turned to him again, leaving tn,