Oxford Democrat., 1909-10-26

Permit me to Introduce an old friend. >
his, my name is really Dorothy Cal.
| endar," she observed. And then, not
ing his astonishment. You would be
privileged to doubt under the circum.
Stances" she added. "Please let us be
| frank"
"Since 1t is to be condolences" (this
she questioned with an all but imper.
ceptible lifting of the eyebrows). 81
don't mind telling you my own name
Is really Philip Kirkwood."
"And you are an old friend Of my
fathers"
He opened his lips. but only to close
them without speaking. The girl
moved her shoulders with shiver OF
disdain.
81 knew 1t wasn't so."
"You know 1t would be hard for a
young man like myself to be a very
old friend" he countered lamely.
How long, then, have you known
each other?'
MUST anSwerF
"Please."
Between three and four hours"
81 thought as much" She stared
past him. troubled Abruptly she said.
"PleaSe smoke"
"Shall I? II you wish It, Of course
She repeated, "Please."'
1--WE were to wait ten minutes or
So" she continued.
He produced his cigarette case.
"If you care to smoke 1t will seem
an excuse" He lighted his cigarette
"And then you may talk to me-" she
concluded calmly
II would gladly If l could guess
what would interest you."
yourself. Tell me about yourself"
she commanded.
1T would bore you." he responded
tritely. confused.
"No. You interest me very much"
She made the statement quietly, con.
temptuous Of coquetry.
every well. then. am Philip Kirk
wood, an American"
Nothing more?"
Little worth retailing"
"I'm sorry"
"Why?" he demanded, piqued.
because you have merely indicated
that you are a wealthy American"
"Why wealthyY'
"If not you would have some aim In
life, a calling or profession"
"And you think have none?"
"Unless you consider it your voca-
ton to be wealthy American"
"I don't. Besides, I'm not wealthy.
In point Of fact. r. He pulled up
short on the verge Of declaring him
self pauper. 81 am painter"
Her eyes lightened with interest.
"An artist"
II hope So don't paint signs-or
houses" he remarked.
Amused. she laughed softly. II sus-
pected It," she declared.
"Not reallyT
ut was your way Of looking at
things that made me guess 1.-THE
painters way. have often noticed
It."
"As If mentally blending colors all
the timer"
"Yes; that and-seelng flaws"
81 have discovered none," he told her
braZenly.
But again her secret cares were
claiming her thoughts. and the gay,
inconsequential banter died upon her
scarlet lips MS second time her glance
ranged away. sounding mysterious
depths Of anxiety.
Provoked. he would have continued
the chatter. II have confessed he
persisted. You know everything Of
material Interest about me. And your
self?"
81 am merely Dorothy Calendar"
she answered.
Nothing more" lie laughed.
"That Is all. If you please. for the
present"
~ am to content myself with the
promise Of the future"
"The future" she told him seriously.
rs tomorrow. and tomorrow She
moved restlcssly in her chair. eyes
and lips pathetic in their distress
please. we will 60 now. II you arc
ready"
~ am quite ready. Miss Calendar"
he rose. A waiter brought the girls
cloak and put 1t in Kirkwood's hands
He held 1t until. smoothing the wrists
of her long white gloves. she stood up.
then placed the garment upon her
white young shoulders. troubled by
the indeHnable sense Of intimacy i'm
parted by the privilege. She permitted
him this personal service. He felt that
she trusted him; that out Of her grad'