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


any one in England to whom you can
go without invitation and be welcomed
and cared for--any friends or reIa-
tions?"
Dorothy will be with me-" Mrs.
Hallam answered for her. with cold
defiance.
Deliberately insolent, Kirkwood
turned his back to the woman. Miss
Calendar. will you answer my question
for yourself?' he asked the girl point
eddy.
"Why. yes, several friends-none in
London. but
Dorothy
Zone moment, Mrs. Hallam." Kirk
wood flung crisply over his shoulder.
I'm going to ask you something rath.
er odd. Miss Calendar" he continued.
seeking the girls eyes. Il hope
Dorothy. r.
III you please. Mrs. Hallam." sug-
gested the girl. with just the right
shade Of independence, Il wish to
listen to Mr.. Kirkwood. He has been
very kind to me and has every right"
She turned to him again. leaving the
woman GREATNESS and speechless with
anger.
you told me once" Kirkwood coz
tinued quickly and. he felt, brazenly,
that you considered me kind. thought
full and considerable. You know me no
better today than you did then. but l
want to beg you to trust me little.
Can you trust yourself to my protec-
ton until We reach your friends In
England?"
why, r. the girl faltered. taken
by surprise.
"Mr. Kirkwoodr cried Mrs. Hallam
angrily. finding her voice.
Kirkwood turned to meet her on
slaught with mien grave. determined,
unf1inching. please do not interfere.
madam" he said quietly.
You are impertinent, sir! Dorothy.
l forbid you TO listen to this person"
The girl flushed. lifting her chin a
trife. "Forbid?" she repeated wonder.
ingly.
Kirkwood was quick to take advan.
tage of her resentment. Mrs. Hallam
Is not fitted to advise you." be insisted.
nor can she control your actions. II
must already have occurred to you
that you're rather out of place In the
present circumstances. The men who
have brought you hither believe you
already see through to some extent
Forgive my speaking plainly. But that
Is why you have accepted Mrs. Hal
lam's offer OF protection. WIN you
take my word for It when l tell you
she has not your right interests at
heart, but the reverse? happen TO
know. Miss Calendar. and r.
How dare you. sir?"
Flaming with rage. Mrs. Hailam put
herself bodily between them. confront.
ing Kirkwood In white Tipped despera.
ton, her small gloved hands clinched
and quivering at her sides. her green
eyes dangerous.
But Kirkwood could silence her. and
be did. DO you wish me 10 speak
frankly. madam? Do you wish me to
tell what I know and all ! know"
with rising emphasis. "of your social
status and your relations with Calen.
dar and Mulreadyf promise you that
II you wish II or force me TO IT,
But he had need 10 say nothing fur
Their. The woman's eyes wavered be
fore his, and a little sob OF terror forced
itself between her shut teeth. Kirk.
wood smiled grimly. with face of
brass. impenetrabie, innexible. And
suddenly she turned from him with In
different bravado.
"As Mr.. Kirkwood says. Dorothy, I"
she said IN her high metallic voice. ~
have no authority over you. But II
you're silly enough TO consider for a
moment this fellows insulting sugges'
tion. n you're fool enough to 30 with
him unchaperoned through Europe and
imperil your
"Mrs. Hallam!~ KIrkwood cut her
short. with a menacing tone.
why. then. I wash my hands Of
you concluded the woman dehantly
snake your choice. my child" she
added. with a meaning laugh. and