The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-05-20

She seemed to realize his meaning
with surprise, as one whose thoughts
have strayed afar recalled to an i'm
perative world.
"Oh. did l forget? Tell him, please.
10 drive to No. Frognall street.
Bloomsbury"
Constraint hung like curtain be-
tween the two. a silen hich the
young man forbore to !. ind
ing more delight than he ha~ 4
dared confess to In. contemplat.
the pure girlish profile SO close to HIN.
She seemed quite unaware OF him,
lost In thought. large eyes sober, lips
serious that were fashioned for laugh
ter, round little chin firm with some
occult resolution. 1t was not hard to
fancy her nerves keyed to high pitch
Of courage and determination nor easy
to guess for what reason. Watching
always. keenly sensitive to the beauty
OF each salient line betrayed by the
flying lights. Kirkwood's own con-
sciousness lost itself In profitless.
even perilous. labyrinth Of cSijecture.
The cab stopped. Both occupants
came to their senses with a little start
The girl leaned out over the apron.
recognized the house she sought in one
swift glance. testified to the recogni-
tion with hushed exclamation and
began to arrange her skirts. Kirk
wood. unheeding her faint hearted pro
tests. jumped out. interposing his cane
between her skirts and the wheel. ST.
multaneously he received vivid men,
tai photograph Of the locality.
Frognall street proved to be one of
those byways short block in length
which, hemmed In on all sides by a
meaner purlieu. have teven In Blooms
bury escaped the sordid commercial
eye Of the keeper-of furnished lodg-
ings. retaining jealously something Of
the old time dignity and reserve that
were their pride in the days before 80
ciety swarmed upon Mayfair and Bel
gravia.
Its houses loomed tall. with many
windows. mostly lightless, materially
aggravating that air Of isolate. cold
dignity which distinguishes the Eng.
lishman's castle. Here and there stood
one less bedraggled than its neighbors.
though all. without exception, spoke
assertively Of respectability down at
the heel. but fighting tenaciously for
existence. Some. vanguards Of that
imminent day when the boarding
house should reign supreme. wore
with shamefaced air placards Of estate
agents advertising their susceptibility
to sale or lease. In the company Of the
latter was No. 0.
The American noted the circum-
stance subconsciously at a moment
when Miss Calendars hand. small as a
child's, warm and compact in its white
glove. lay ir his own. And then she
was on the sidewalk. her face, up
turned to his. vivacious with excite
ment
"You have been so kind" she told
him warmly. shat one hardly knows
how to thank you. Mr.. Kirkwood."
Il have done nothing-nothing al
ALL" he mumbled. disturbed by sud
den unreasoning alarm for her.
She passed quickly to the shelter Of
the pillared portico. He followed
clumsIly. On the doorstep she turned
Offering her hand He took and re
tained f.
Good night" she said.
"I'm TO understand that I'm dis
missed. them" he stammered ruefully
| She evaded his eyes. "I-thank you
have no further need
"you are quite sure7 Won't you be
lieve me az your servicef"
/ She laughed uneasily. SIN all right
now"
II can no nothing more-sure?"
/ "Nothing. But you-you make m'
almost sorry can't impose still fur
ther upon your good nature"
'Please don't hesitate"
"Aren't you very persistent. Mr.
Kirkwoody" Her fingers moved in his
Burning with the reproof. he released