Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-11-02
CHAPTER xXX1.

- tighten beneath the gloves;
otherwise her mouth seemed to grow
more straight and hard.
"Dorothy!" cried the adventurer
with touch of displeasure. "You
heard me?"
81 heard you." she replied a little
YEARLY, more than little contemptu-
ously Don't mind him. please, Mr..
kirkwood" with an appealing ges-
ture. as Kirkwood. unable to contain
himself, moved restlessly in his chair,
threatening to rise. Don't say any
thing. have no intention whatever
of going with this man."
Calendars features twitched nerv-
ously. He chewed a corner of his
mustache. fixing the girl with black
stare. II presume" he remarked, aft
er moment. with slow deliberation,
you're aware that as your father |
am in a position to compel you to ac-
company me-"
II shall not go with YOU" iterated
Dorothy in a level tone. You may
threaten me. butt shall not go. Mr..
Brentwicl and Mr.. Kirkwood are TAX
ing me to-friends. who will give me a
home until | can find way to take
care OF myself. That is all l have to
say TIC you"
Bravo, my dearv' cried Brentwick
encouragirgly.
"Mnd your business, SIR Numbered
Calendar, his face darkcning. then
to Dorothy. You understand. trust,
what this meansE' he demanded. II
offer YOU a home, and good one Re.
fuse and you work for your living.
my girl! You've forfeited your leg.
acy"-
81 know, know" she told him in
cold disdain. Il am content Won't
you be kind enough to leave me
alone?"
For breath Calendar glowered over
her. Then. II presume" he observed,
that all these heroics are inspired by
that whippersnapper Kirkwood. Dc
you know that he hasn't brass far
thing to bless himself with?"
what has that cried the girl in
dignantly.
why, it has everything to do with
me, my child. AS your doting parent
can't consent to your marrying moth
ing year, for l surmise you intend to
marry this Mr.. kirkwood, don't you?"
There followed little interval of
silence, while the warm blood famed
in the girls face and the red lips
trembled as she faced her tormentor
Then. with quaver that escaped hel
control, IF Mr.. Kirkwood asks me
shall' she stated very simply.
THAT" interposed Kirkwood, ISIS
completely understood" His gaze
sought her eyes, but she looked away
You forget that am your father,
sneered Calendar, "and that you are q
minor. | can refuse my consent
But you WON'T" kirkwood told him
with assurance.
The adventurer stared. No" he
agreed after slight hesitation; mo.
shan't interfere. Take her. my boy. II
you want her. and fathers blessing
into the bargain. The Lord knows I've
troubles enough. A parents lot is not
what it's cracked up to be-" He
paused, leering, ironic. But" DELHI
erately, there's still this other mat.
ter of the gladstone bag l don't mind
abandoning my parental authority
when my child's happiness is concern
ed, but as for my property
ut is not your property" interrupted
the girl.
at was your mothers, dear child
It's now mine"
II dispute that assertion" Kirkwood
put in.
You may dispute it till the cows
come home, my boy. The fact will re
main that intend to take my property
with me when | leave this room
whether you like it or not. Now, are
you disposed to continue the argument
or may l count on your being sensi
ble?"
You may put away your revolver. II
that's what you mean" said Kirkwood
I'VE certainly shan't oppose you will
violence. but l warn you that Scotland
Yard
"Oh, that be blcwed!' the adventur
err snorted in disgust. II can sail cir
cles round any tee that ever blew on,
Of Scotland Yard! Give me an hours
start and you're free to do all the
funny business you've mind to will
Scotland Yard!
"Then you admit" queried Brent
wick civilly. that you've no legal title
to the jewels in dispute?'
Look here. my FRIEND" chuckled
Calendar: when you catch me admit
ting anything you write it down III
your little book and tell the bobby or
the corner. Just at present I've got
other business than to stand round
admitting anything about anything
Cap'n. let's have that bag of my duti
full daughters"
"'Ere you are" Stryker spoke fol
the first time since entering the room
taking the valise from beneath the
chair and depositing it on the table.
"Well, we shan't take anything thai
doesn't belong to u.s." laughed Calen
dar. fumbling with the catch. mo
even so small matter as my owl
child's travelling bag. A small-heavy
gladstone bag" he grunted opening
the valise and plunging in one greedy
hand. will-just-about-d for miner
With which he produced the article
mentioned. This for the discard
cap'n," he laughed contentedly, push
| ing the girls valise aside. and. rum
bling with stentorian mirth, stood
beaming benignantly over the assem-
bled company.
| ..NEhuV lan In nnod ..this. ,,,nn,o,,