Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-02-16

| Deity Kirkwood forestalled her in
tention by inserting both foot and
corner of the newly purchased hand
/ bag between the door and the jamb.
He had dared too greatly to be thus
dismissed. Pardon me- he counter
ed, unabashed, but I wish to speak
with Miss Calendar.
| Dorothy" returned the lady with
| spirit, sis engaged. ."
| She compressed her lips, knitted her
brows, and disconcerting suddenness
thrust one knee against the obstruct-
ing handbag; Kirkwood, happily, an
ticipating the movement just in time
to reinforce the bag with his own
knee; it remained in place, the door
standing open.
The woman flushed angrily; their
glances crossed, her eyes flashing
with Indignation; but Kirkwood's held
them with level and unyielding
stare
Il intend" he told her quietly, "tc
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 for gendarme -
"You insolent puppy"
Madam, your wit disarms me"
What is the matter, Mrs. Hallam?"
interrupted voice from the other
side of the door who is it?"
miss Calendar" cried Kirkwood
hastily, raising his voice.
! "Mr. Kirkwood!" the reply came on
thes instant. she knew his voice!
'sPlease, Mrs. Hallam, I will see Mr..
kirkwood.''
"You have no time to waste with
him, Dorothy" said the woman cold
ly. II must insist"
But you don't seem to understand
1t Is Mr.. Kirkwood!" argued the girl
as If he were ample excuse for any
imprudence!
Kirkwood' scant store of patience
was by this time rapidly becoming ex,
hausted. 81 should advise you not to
Interfere any further, Mrs. Hallam, .
he told her In tone low, but charged
with meaning
How much did he know? She eyed
him an instant longer. in sullen suspic
fop, then swung open the door. Yield
ing with what grace she could won't
you come in, Mr. Kirkwood?" she in
fnuired with calculated courtesy
| IF you press me-" he returned win
ningly, "how can l refuse? You are
too good!''
His inpertinence disconnected even
himself; he wondered that she did moi
slap him as he passed her, entering
the room; and felt that he deserved
1t, despite her attitude But such
thoughts could not long trouble one
whose eyes were enchanted by the
sight of Dorothy, confronting him ir
the middle of the dingy ROOM hel
hands. bristling dangerously with hal
pins, busy with the adjustment of g
small gray toque atop the wonder thai
was her hair. So vivacious and charm
ing she seemed, SO spirited and brigh:
her welcoming smile, so foreign was
she distraught, that he had mentally
conjured up. that he stopped in ar
extreme of disconcertion; and dropped
the hand bag, smiling sheepishl,
enough under her ready laugh-mirtf
irresistibly melted by the PANTY reac
play of expression on his mobile count
enance.
You must forgive the unconven
tionality, Mr., KirEwood,' she apollo
gized, needlessly enough, but to cover
his embarrassment. II am on the
point of going out with Mrs. Hallan
and of course you are the last per
son on earth l expected to meet here!'
s'It's 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.
(To be Continued.)