Oxford Democrat., 1909-10-26
Ghe
BLACK
BAG
By Louis Joseph Vance
rcoNT1NUED.l

Kirkwood's waiter put in an mop.
perfume appearance with the bill. The
young man paid 1t. When he looked
up again Calendar had swung square.
ly about in his chair. His eye encoun.
tered Kirkwood's. He nodded pleas.
antly. Temporarily confused. Kirk.
wood returned the nod.
In a twinkling he had repented
Calendar had left his chair and was
vending his way through the tables
toward Kirkwood's. Reaching 1t, he
paused. Offering the hand Of genial
fellowship. Kirkwood accepted 1t half
heartedly (what else was he to doD.
remarking at the same time that Cal
endar had recovered much Of his COM
posure. There was now a normal col
oring in the heavily jowled counte-
nance. with less CLINT of fear In the
quick. dark eyes, and Calendars hand,
even If moist and cold. no longer trem-
bled. Furthermore, 1t was immediate
ly demonstrated that his impudence
QuQ not UeSeTteu ullu.
"Why. KirkwOod. my dear fellOwT
he crowed, not 80 loudly as to attract
attention, but in tone assumed to
divert suspicion. should he be over
heard This Is great luck. you know.
to find you here"
"Is it?" returned KirkwoOd coolly
He disengaged his fingers.
The pink plump face was contorted
in furtive grimace Of depreciation.
Without waiting for permission Calen-
dar dropped into the vacant chair.
"My dear sir" he proceeded, un.
abashed. 81 throw myself upon your
mercy"
"TEe devil you do"
II must Pm in the deuce Of hole.
and there's no one l know here be-
sides yourself. II
Kirkwood saw ft to lead him on,
partly because out Of the corner Of his
eye he was aware of the girls uncon.
cealed suspense. go on. please, Mr.
Calendar You throw yourself on 4
total strangers mercy because you're
in the deuce Of hole, and
.'It's this way. I'm called away On
urgent business-imperative business
| must so at once. My daughter is
with me-my daughter Think of my
embarrassment. | cannot leave her
here alone. nor can permit her to go
home UNPROTECTED"
Calendar paused in anxiety.
That's easily remedied then." sug.
gested Kirkwood.
How
"Put her in cab at the door,"
mo. The devil! couldn't think Of
it. You won't understand. r.
81 do not understand" amended the
younger man politely.
Calendar compressed his lips nerv-
ously. 1t was plain that the man was
quivering with impatience and half
mad with excitement. He held quiet
only long enough to regain his self
control and take counsel with his pru-
dence.
1T Is impossible. Mr.. Kirkwood.
must ask you to be generous and be-
lieve me-"
Every well. For the sake Of the ar.
gument | do believe you, Mr.. Calen-
dar."
Swiftly, stammering In his haste:
~ can't let Dorothy accompany ME to
the door," declared Calendar. She
IL throw myself upon your mercy"
what, again?'
"The truth-the truth Is. II you will
have 1t, that | am in danger Of arrest
the moment leave here. II my daugh.
ter is with me she will hate to endure
the shame and humiliation
"rhen why place her In such posi-,
ton" Kirkwood demanded sharply.
Calendars eyes burned. incandescent
with resentment Offended, he offered
to rise and go. but changed his mind
and sat tight in hope.
II beg of you. SIR
Zone moment, Mr.. Calendar"
Abruptly Kirkwood's weathercock
humor shifted, amusement yielding to
intrigued interest. After all. why not
oblige the fellow? What did anything
matter now? What harm could visit
him If he yielded to this corpulent ad-
venturers insistence? Besides. there
was the girl to be considered.
Kirkwood considered her forthwith
In the process thereof his eyes sought
her, perturbed. Their glances clashed.
She looked away hastily. crimson to
her temples.
Instantly the conflict between curl.
osity and caution, inclination and dis.
trust. was at an end. With sudden
compliance the young man rose.
81 shall be most happy to be Of serv-
Ice to your daughter, Mr.. Calendar"
he said. placing the emphasis with be-
coming gravity. And then. the fat ad-
venturer leading the way. Kirkwood
strobe across the room, wondering
somewhat at himself, II the whole
truth is to be disclosed.
CHAPTER III.