The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-08-12

II know, know" she told him In
cold disdain. II am content Won't
you be kind enough to leave me
al0new
For breath Calendar glowered over
her. Then. II presume" he observed,
that all these heroics are inspired by
that whippersnapper Kirkwood. DO
you know that he hasn't brass far.
thing to bless himself within
"What has that cried the girl In.
dignantly.
why, 1t has everything to do with
me. my child. As your doting parent
can't consent to your marrying moth.
ing year, for ! surmise you intend ia
marry this Mr.. Kirkwood, don't your
There followed little interval Of
silence. while the warm blood famed
In the girls face and the red lips
tremblcd as she faced her tormentor.
Then. with quayer that escaped her
, control, IF Mr.. Kirkwood asks me
SHALL" she stated very simply.
THAT" interposed Kirkwood. ia
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. mo-" 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. ironlc. 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
at is not your property" interrupted
tie girl.
1T was your mothers, dear child.
It's now mine"
Il dispute that assertion" Kirkwood
put in.
you may dispute II till the cows
come home, my boy. The fact win re-
main that intend to take my property
with me when leave this room.
whether you like ii or not. Now. are
You disposed TO continue the argument,
or may count on your being senst
ble?"
"you may put away your revolver. II
that's what you mean" said kirkwood
I'VE certainly shan't oppose you with
violence. but warn you that Scotland
Yard
"0h. that be bowed the adventur-
er snorted In disgust. II can san cir.
cles round any tee that ever blew out
Of Scotland Yard! Give me an hours
start and you're free TO do all the
funny business you've mind TO with
Scotland Yardr
Then you admit" queried Brent
wick civilly. that you've no legal title
TO the jewels In disputeT
Look here. my friend" chuckled
Calendar: when you catch me admit.
ting anything you write it down In
your little book and tell the bobby on
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 for
the first time since entering the room,
taking the vaIise from beneath the
chair and depositing IL on the table.
well. we sban't take anything that
doesn't belong TO u.s. laughed Calen.
dar. fumbling with the catch. mot
even 50 small matter as my own
child's travelling bag. a sinall-heavy
GLADSTONE bag" he grunted. opening
the valise and plunging Ia one greedy
hand. just-about- for miner'
With which be produced the article
mentioned. This for the discard.
cap'n." be laughed conteDtedly. push
IN; the girls valise aside. and. rum.
bling with stentorian mirth. stood
beamIng benignantly over the assem-
bled company.
Why" he exclaimed. .'this moment
Is worth all Il cost me. Ny children,
forgive you freely. Mr.. Kirkwood
| felicltate you cordially on having
secured q most expensive wife. Really
d'you know. | feel an II | ought q
do little something for you both"
The thick. notified fingers tore nerv
ously az the catch. Eventually he go'
the bag open. Those about the tabl,
bent forward. all quickened by th,
prospect Of for the first time behold
Ing the treasure over which they hac
fought for which they bad suffered
so long.
4 heady and luscious fragrance per
yaded the atmosphere. exhalIng from
the open mouth ~ the bag. A silence
indefinitely sustained. impressed itsel
upon the little audieDce-a breathles,
pause ended eventually by a sbarI
snap Of Calendars teeth. "Mm-m.'
grunted the adventurer IN bewildcr
ment lie began TO pant.
Abruptly his heavy hands delvet
into the contents Of the bag. like tbI
paws Of a terrier digging In earth. r,
kirkwood the afr seemed temporaril,
thirk with flying objects. Beneath hi
ast0nisbed eyes a towel fell upon thl