The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-07-08

/ Saiantly Hed ner company In Sheer
ness. She seemed to anticipate that
either Calendar or one of his fellows
would be discovered at the door, to
have surmised 1t without any excess
i've degree Of pleasure.
Only briefly she hesitated. while her
surprise swayed her Then, with
hardening Of the eyes and a curt lit
tie nod. I'm sorry" she said with de-
eision, but am busy and can't see
you now. Mr.. Kirkwood." and attempt
ed to shut the door in his face.
Deity Kirkwood forestalled her In.
tention by inserting foot between the
door and the jamb. He had dared too
greatly to be thus dismissed. Pardon
me-" he countered, unabashed. but
wish to speak with Miss Calendar"
Dorothy" returned the lady with
spirit. "is engaged"
II intend" he told her quietly. ito
see Miss Calendar. It's useless your
trying to hinder me. We may as well
understand each other. madam, and
I'll tell you now that If you wish to
avoid scene
Dorothy" the woman called over
her shoulder. ring for the porter
by all means" assented Kirkwood
agreeably. I'll send him for gen
| darme."
you insolent puppyr'
MADAM. your wit disarms me-
"what is the matter. Mrs. HallamT
interrupted voice from the other side
of the door. "Who Is iti"
miss Calendar cried Kirkwood
hastily. raising his voice.
"Mr. Kirhwoodw the reply came on
the instant. She knew his voice
please. Mrs. Hallam, VIII see Mr.
Kirkwood."
"You have no time 10 waste with
him. Dorothy" said the woman coldly
Il must insist
"But you don't seem to understand:
1t Is Mr.. Kirkwood.' argued the girl.
as II he were ample excuse for any
imprndence.
Kirkwood's 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 a tone low. but charged
with meaning.
How much did he know7 She eyed
him an insant longer In sullen suspi-
cion. then swung open the door. yield.
Ing with what grace she could. wont
-ou come In. Mr.. Kirkwoody' she in
quired. with calculated courtesy.
IF you press me-" he returned win
ningly. ''how can I refuse? You are
too goodr'
His impertinence Disconnected ever
himself. He wondered that she did
hot slap him as he passed her, enter
Inc the room. and felt that be deserved
II, 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. bristling dangerously with hat
pins. busy with the adjustment Of a
small gray toque atop the wonder that
was her hair. So vivacious and charm
Ing she seemed. so spirited and bright
her welcoming smile. so foreign was
she altogether to the picture Of her.
worn and dlstraught. that he had men.
tally conjured mp. 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 bis mo
bile countenance.
"You must forgive the uf.iconvention-
atty, Mr.. Klrkwood." 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
I expected 10 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. bewltching hat m infinitesi-
NAL fraction Of an inch 70 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-tbe al
most lmperceptible shadows beneath
her eyes and cheek bones. pathetic rec
ords Of the hours the girl had spent
since last be 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 be 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 Il
glowing softly In her eyes
The clear understanding OF mankind
that is an appannge Of woman's estate
was now added to the iniuitIons " a
girls untroubled heart. She could not
be blind TO the mute alteration OF his