The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-07-15
continual disappointment that be aid

continual disappointment that he did
not even let the girl into his plans IN
til they were aboard the 500 in COM
partment all to themselves. Then, hav-
ing with his own eyes seen Mr.. Hobbs
dodge into the third compartment In
the rear Of the same carriage, Kirk
wood astonished the girl by requesting
her to follow him. and together they
left by the door opposite that by which
they had entered.
The engine was running up and
down scale Of staccato snorts In
preparation for the race and the cars
were on the edge of moving. coup
lings clanking. wheels a-groan, ere Mr..
Hobbs condsscended to Join them be-
tween the tracks.
YEARLY. disheartened. Kirkwood re-
opened the door. flung the bags in and
helped the girl back into their despised
compartment. The quicker route to
England via Ostend was now out of
the question. As for himself. he walt
ed for brace of seconds. eying wick
edly the ubiquitous Hobbs, who had
popped back Into his compartment but
stood ready to pop out again on the
least encouragement In the meantime
he was pleased to shake friendly foot
at Mr.. Kirkwood. thrusting that mem
Der out through the half open door.
Only the timely departure Of the
train. compelling him 10 rejoin Doro-
thy at once II Mt all, prevented the
American from adding murder TO the
already noteworthy catalogue Of his
high crimes and misdemeanors.
Their simple meal. consumed TO the
ultimate drop and crumb while the
Dunkerque train meandered serenely
through a sunny. smiling Flemish
countryside. somewhat revived their
jaded spirits.
For time they laughed and chat
tered. pretending that the present held
no cares or troubles. but soon the girl.
nesting her head In corner OF the
dingy cushions. was smiling ever more
drowsily on Kirkwood. And presently
she slept In good earnest, the warm
blood ebbfns and flowing beneath the
exquisite texture OF her cheeks. the
ghost Of an unconscious smile CULVER
ing about the sensitive scarlet mouth.
the breeze through the open window
at her side wantoning nc win In the
sunlit witchery OF her hair. And Kirk
wood, worn with sleepless watching.
dwelt In longing upon the dear. limo
cent allure Of her until the ache IN
his heart had grown well nigh insup-
portable, then instinctively turned his
gaze upward. searching his heart.
reading the faith and desire Of II. 10
that at length knowledge and under
standing came to him Of his weakness
and strength and the clean love that
be bore for her. and, gladdencd. he sat
dreaming In waking the same clear
dreams that modelled her unconscious
lips secretly for laughter and the joy
Of living.
When DunkerQue halted their prog
ress they were Obliged TO alight and
change cars. Hobbs q discreetly sinis-
ter shadow at the end OF the platform.
By schedule they were to arrive In
Calais about the middle OF the fore
noon. with q waft Of three hours to b
bridged before the departure Of the
Dover packet. That would be an anx-
ious time. The prospect OF Il rendered
both Dorothy and Kirkwood doubiy
anxious throughout this final stage Of
their flight In three hours anything
could happen or be brought about.
Neither could forget that II was quite
within the bounds Of possibilities for
Calendar TO be awaiting them In Ca
lais. Presenting that Hobbs had been
acute enough to guess their plans and
advise his employer by telegraph. the
latter could readily have anticipated
their arrival. whether by sen In the
brigantine or by land. taking the direct
route via Brussels and Lille. n such
proved to be the case Il were scarcely
sensible TO count upon the arch adj
venturcr contenting himself with q
waiting role like Hobbs.
With such unhappy apprehensions
for . stlmulant. between them the
man and the girl contriyed a make
shift counter stratagem. or II were
more accurate 10 say that Kirkwood
proposed u. while Dorothy rejected.
disputed and ut length accepted II, al.
belt with sad misgivings. for II In
VOWED a separation that might not
prove temporary.
Together they could never escape the
surveillance Of Mr. Hobbs; parted he
would be obliged TO follow one or the
other. The task OF misleading the Ale
thea's mate KIrkwood undertook. dele
eating 10 the girl the duty Of escap-
Ing when be could provide her the op-
portunity. Of keeping under cover I'M.
Gil the hour Of sailing and then pro
ceeding 70 England with the gladstone
bag alone n kirkwood was unable or
thought II inadvisable TO join her on
the boat.
In furthernnce Of this design q ma
jorlty " the girls belongings were