Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-06-10

ly pitched for the ear of the hypothet-
ical Calendar alone. Then she swept
on, imperturhable, assured.
To the perplexed observer it was in
dubitably evident that some commu-
nication had passed from the woman
to the man. Kirkwood saw the fat
shoulders of the girls companion stiff
en- suddenly as the woman's hand rest
ed ut his elbow. AS She moved away
a little ripping shiver WAS plainly Wis
IDLE in the muscles of his back beneath
his coat, mute token of relaxing ten
sion. An instant later one plump and
notified hand was carclessly placed
where the Woman's had been and
was ut once removed with fingers
closed.
To the girl, Watching her face coy
ertly, kirllwood turned for Il clew to
the incident. lie made no doubt that
she had observed the passage. Proof
Of that one found in her sudden star
Ting pallor (of ~indignation3 and in her
eyes, briefly alight with some inscruta-
bic emotion, though quickly yelled by
lowered lashes. Slowly enough she
regained color and composure, while
her vis-a-vis sat %motionless, head in
clined, as if in thought.
Abruptly the man turned in his
chair to summon a waiter and exposed
his profile. kirkwood was in nowise
amazed to recognize Calendar-a bad
ly frightened Calendar now, however,
and hardly to be identified with the
sleek, glib fellow who had interviewed
Kirkwood in the afternoon. His fab
by cheeks were ashen and trembling,
and upon the back of his chair the fat
white fingers We're drumming inces-
sanity an %inaudible tattoo of shattered
nerves.
Scared silly" commented Kirk
wood. "Why?"
Having spoken to his waiter, Calen-
dar for some seconds raked the room
with quick glances, as If seeking an
acquaintance. Presumably disappoint-
ed, he swung back to face the girl,
bending forward to reach her ears
with accents low pitched and conf
Dental. She on her part fell at nee
attentive, grave and responsive. Per-
haps a dozen sentences passed be-
tween them. At the outset her brows
contracted, and she shook her head in
gentle dissent, whereupon Calendars
manner became more imperative.
Gradually, unwillingly, she seemed to
yield consent. Once she caught her
breath sharply and, infected by her
companions agitation. sat back. color
fading again in the round young
cheeks.
Kirkwood's waiter put in an mop
perfume appearance with the bill. The
young man paid it. When he looked
up again Calendar had wun square
ly about in his chair. His eye encoun-
tered Kirkwood's. He nodded pleas
antly. Temporarily confused. Kirk
wood returned the nod.
In a twinkling he had repented.
Calendar had left his chair and was
vending his way through the tables
toward Kirkwood's. Reaching it, he
paused, offering the hand of genial
fellowship. Kirkwood accepted it half
heartedly (what else was he to doD,
gemarking at the same time that Cal
endar had recovered much Of his COM
posture. There was now a normal col
oring in the heavily jowled counte-
nance, with less CLINT Of fear In the
quick, dark eyes, and Calendars hand,
even if moist and cold, no longer trem-
bled. Furthermore, it was immediate
ly demonstrated that his %impudence
had not deserted him.
"Why, Kirkwood, my dear fellow"
he crowed, not so loudly as to attract
attention, but in a tone assumed to
divert suspicion, should he be over
heard. "This is great luck, you know,
to find you here"
"Is it?" returned Kirkwood coolly.
He disengaged his fingers.
The pink plump face was contorted
in a furtive grimace of depreciation.
Without waiting for permission Calen-
dar dropped into the vacant chair.
my dear SIR" he proceeded, IN
abashed, II throw myself upon your
mercy"
1.-The devil you do"
II must. I'm in the deuce Of a hole,
and there's no Il l know here be-
sides yourself. 1-I"-
Kirkwood saw fit to lead him on,
partly because out Of the corner of his
eye he was aware of the girls uncon-
cealed suspense. go on. please. Mr.
Calendar. You throw yourself on a
total strangers mercy because you're
In the deuce of a hole, and"-
"It's this way. I'm called away on
urgent business-imperative business.
1 must go at once. My daughter is
with me-my daughter! Think Of my
embarrassment. l cannot leave hel
here alone, nor can I permit her to 60
home unprotected"
Calendar paused in anxiety.
That's easily remedied then," sug.
gested Kirkwood.
"How?"
"Put her in a cab at the door,"
mo. The devil! I couldn't think of
it. You won't understand. r.
II do not understand" amended the
younger man politely.
Calendar comprasood bio line oory-