Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1909-08-12

Madam. your wit disarms me-
what is the matter, Mrs Hallam r.
interrupted voice from the other side
Of the door 'Who is it?''
miss Calendar cried Kirkwood
hastily. raising his voice.
Mr.. kirkwood" the reply came on
the instant She knew his voice
please. Mrs Hallam, will see Mr.
Kirkwood."
you have no time to waste with
him. Dorothy" said the woman coldly
II must insist
But you don't seem to understand:
1t is Mr.. Kirkwoodw argued the girl.
as II he were ample excuse for any
imprudence.
Kirkwoods scant store OF patience
was by this time rapidly becoming ex-
hausted. II should advise you not to
interfere any further, Mrs. Hallam,"
! he told her IN tone low, but charged
with meaning.
How much did he know? She eyed
him an 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 in
quired. with hcidulated courtesy.
'If you press me-" he returned win
ningly, how can I refuse? You are
too good"
His impertnence disconnected even
himself. He wondered that she did
not slap him as he passed her, enter.
Ing the room, and felt that he deserved
It, 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, bristihg dangerously with ha,
pins, busy with the adjustment of Ii
small gray touue atop the W, er thai
was her hair. So yivaeious ara charm
Ing she seemed, so spirited and brigh,
her welcoming smile. so foreign Wa
she altogether to the picture of her
worn and distraught. that he had men.
tally conjurtd up. that he stopped
In an extreme of disconcertion and
dropped the hand bag, smiling sheep
ishly enough under her ready laugh
mirth irresistibly melted by the plain
| " read play of expression on his mo-
] bile countenance.
You must forgive the unconvention-
atty, Mr.. Kirkwood" she apologized.
| needlessly 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 Calen-
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 a mirror, patted
the small, bewitching hat an infinitesi-
NAL fraction Of an inch to one side and
| turned to him again. her hands free.
| One of them, small but cordial. rested
in his grasp for an instant all too
brief. the while he gazed earnestly into
her face. noting with concern what the
first glance had not shown him-the al
most imperceptible 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. her
nascent womanhood was stirring in
the bud. The child that he had met in
London In Antwerp he found grown
to woman's stature and slowly coming
to comprehension of the nature of the
change in herself. the wonder of 1t
glowing softly in her eyes
The clear understanding of mankind
that Is an appanage of woman's estate
was now added to the intuitions of a
girls untroubled heart. She could not
be blind to the mute alteration of his
gaze, nor could she resent 1t. Beneath
1t she colored and lowered her lashes.
Il was about to go out" she re-
peated In confusion. lifts pleasant
to see you toe. :"
Thank you /" he stammered ineptly
Up
If Mr.. Kirkwood will excuse us.
Dorothy" Mrs Hallam's sharp tones
struck in discordantly, I'VE shall be
glad to see him when we return to
London"
Il am infinitely complimented Mrs