The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-01-24

N@A AlHISciLB the Ooat nad drawn IN az
the stage a moment earlier. Mulready
dropped into It ana threw himself sui
Ienly upon the midships thwart.
Now. Dorothy. in you go. my dear"
continued Calendar. with a self-satis-
fed wag of hts head.
Half dazed. TO all seeming, she
moved toward the boat. With clumsy
and assertive gallantry her father
stepped before her. offering his hand
his hand which she did not touch; for
in the act OF descending she remem-
bered and swung impulsively back to
Kirkwood
Good night, Mr.. Kirkwood; sood
night shan't forget"
He took her hand and bowed above
It; but when his head was lifted he
still retained her fingers in a linger-
ing clasp.
Good night" he said reluctantly.
The Grass incongruity of her in that
setting smote him with renewed
force. Young, beautiful, dainty. brill
liant and graceful In her pretty
evening gown. she figured strange
Iy against the gloomy background of
the river, in those dull and mean sur
roundings of dank stone and rusted
iron She was like Che thought extrav-
agantly) a whifr OF flower fragrance
lost in the miasmatic vapors of a
slough.
The innocent appeal and allure OF her
face, upturned to his beneath the gas
light, wrought compassionately upon
his sensitive and generous heart. He
was aware of little surge OF blind
rage against the conditions that had
brought her to that spot and against
those whom he held responsible for
those conditions.
In sudden flush OF daring he turned
and nodded coolIy to Calendar. with
your permission" he said negligently.
and drew the girl aside to the angle
OF the stairway.
Miss Calendar" he began. but was
interrupted
."Here-I sayi"
Calendar had started toward him an
griIy.
Kirkwood calmly waved him back.
IT want a word in private with your
daughter, Mr.. Calendar" he announced
with quiet dignity. II don't think you'll
deny me? I've saved you some slight
trouble tonight"
Disgruntled. the adventurer paused.
"Oh-all right" he grumbled- Il don't
see what :" He returned to the
boat
Forgive me, Miss Calendar" contin-
ued Kirkwood nervously. Il know I've
no right to interfere. but"
Yes, Mr.. Kirkwoodr'
but hasn't this gone far enough?"
he houndered unhappily. II can't like
the looks of things Are you sure
sure that it's all right-with you. I
meanP'
She cid not answer at once. but her
eyes were kind and sympathetic. He
plucked heart of her intolerance.
ut isn't too late yet" he argued
Let me take you to your friends-you
must have friends In the city But this
this midnight flight down the Thames
this atmosphere Of stealth and sus-
picion. this"
But my place is with my father. Mr..
Kirkwood." she interposed. 'I daren't
doubt him-dare II"
ct suppose not"
so must go with him. I'm
glad-thank you for caring, dear
Mr.. Kirkwood And again good night"
Good luck attend you" he muttered,
following her to the boat
Calendar helped her in and turned
back to Kirkwood with look of arch
triumph Kirkwood wondered If he
had overheard Whether or no, he could
afford to be magnanimous. SEEKING
Kirkwoods hand he pumped it vigor-
ously.
My dear boy. you've been an angel
In disguisei And guess you think me
the devil in masquerade" He chuckled,
in high conceit with himself over the
turn of affairs Good night, and-and
fare thee well!" He dropped into the
boat, seating himself to face the recall
.:itrant Mulready Cast off. therel"
The boat dropped away, the oars
lifting and falling With a weariful
sense OF loneliness and disappointment
Kirkwood hung over tho rail- to watch
them out OF sight
dozen feet OF water lay between
the stage and the boat. The girls
dress remained spot of cheerful color;
her face was blur. As the watermen
swung the bows down stream she
looked back, lifting an arm spectral
In its white sheath. Kirkwood raised
his hat.
The boat gathered impetus, moment
nriiy diminishing in the nights iIiusory
perspective; presently it was little more
than fugitive blot gliding swiftly in
midstream. And then, it was gone en-
tirely, engulfed by the obiiteratinE
darkness.
Somewhat YEARLY the young man
released the railing and assembled tho
stairs. And that is the endr' he told
himself struggling with an acute sense
Of personal injury. He had been hardly
used For q few houra his life had