Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-09

that. Why, you fool" - here tho
mask Of irony was cast-"did you
think for moment I'd let myself be
nabbed by that zap from Scotland
Yard? Were you banking Oh that? !
give you my faith I ambled out under
his very nose! Dorothy, my dear.
turning impatiently from Mulready
where's that bag?"
The girl withdrew puzzled gaze
from Mulready's face Ut was apparent
to Kirkwood that this phase Of the af.
fair was no more enigmatic to him
than to herr and drew aside a corner
of her cloak, disclosing the gladstone
bag securely grasped in one gloved
hand.
II have 1t. thanks to Mr.. Kirkwood."
she said quietly.
Kirkwood chose that moment to ad-
vance from the shadow. Mulready
started and fixed him with a troubled
and unfriendly stare. The girl greeted
him with a note Of sincere pleasure In
her surprise.
"Why. Mr.. KIrkwood! But left you
at Mrs. Hallam's"
Kirkwood bowed. smiling openly at
Mulready's discontinue.
by your fathers grace came with
him." he said. You ran away without
saying good night, you know. and I'm
q jealous creditor"
She laughed excitedly, turning to
Calendar. But you were to meet me
at Mrs. Hallam's|
"Mulready was good enough to try
to save me the trouble, my dear. He's
an unselfish soul, Mulready. Fortu'
nately 1t happened that came along
not five minutes after he'd carried you
of. How was that. Dorothy?"
Her glance wavered uneasily between
the two, Mulready and her father. The
former. struggling to declare his indif-
ference, turned his back squarely upon
them. She frowned.
HE came out Of Mrs. Hallam's and
got into the four wheeler, saying you
had sent him to take your place and
would Join us on the Alethea."
500! How about 1t, Mulready|
The man swung back slowly. What
you choose to think" he said after a
deliberate pause.
"Well. never mind. Well 60 over
the matter at our leisure on the Ale.
thea"
There was in the adventurer's tone
a menace, bitter and not to be ignored,
which Mulready saw at to challenge.
81 think not" he declared. 81 think
not. I'm weary Of your addle pated
suspicious. It'd be plain to any one
but a fool that I acted for the best
interests Of all concerned In this mat
ter. II you're not content to see 1t In
that light I'm DONE"
"Oh, If you want to put It that way
I'm not content, Mr.. Mulready." re-
torted Calendar dangerously.
please yourself. bid you good
evening and-goodby." The man took
a step toward the stairs.
Calendar dropped his right hand into
his topcoat pocket. Just minute"
he said sweetly, and Mulready stopped.
Abruptly the fat adyenturer's smolder.
ing resentment leaped In fame. THAT
will be about all, Mr.. Mulready! Bout
face. you hound, and get into that
boat! D'you think I'll temporize with
you till doomsdayl Then forget 1t.
You're wrong, dead wrong. Your
bluffs called, and"-with an evil chuc-
kle-'T hold a full house, Mulready-
every chamber taken" He lifted
meaningly the hand n the coat pocket
Nov, In with your
With grin and swagger Of pure
bravado Mulready turned and obeyed.
Unnoticed Of any save perhaps Calen.
dar himself the boat had drawn In at
the stage a moment earlier. Mulready
dropped into 1t and threw himself sui
lenly upon the midships thwart.
Nov. Dorothy, in you 60, my dear" "
continued Calendar. with self satis.
fed wag Of his head.
Half dazed, to all seeming, she NOV
ed toward the boat With clumsy and
assertive gallantry her father stepped
before her, Offering bis hand-his hand
which she did not touch, for In the act
Of descending she remembered and
swung impulsively back to Kirkwood.
Good night Mr.. Kirkwo0d. Good
night I shan't forget"