The San Francisco call., 1909-01-17
II understand. MISS calendar.s

Tive never for an instant questioned
that" he returned with q qualm Of
shame; for what he said was not trus-
Thank you
The four wheeler Bwung out OF OK
ford street into Charing Cross road.
Rirkwood noted the fact with q feel
ing OF some relief that their ride was
TO be so short; like many OF his fellow
sufferers from "the artistic tempexA~
ment." he was acutely disconnected By
spoken words Of praise and graxitudes
Miss Calendar, unintentionally enough,
had succeeded only In rendering him
self-conscious and I'll at ease.
Nor had she fully relieved her
mind. nor voiced all that had perturhed
her. There's one thing more she
said presently. my father. I'll hcDs
you will think charitabiy Of him"
Indeed. I've no reason or right -
think otherwise"
'T was afraid-afraid his actions
might have seemed peculiar. to-
There are lots of things I DON'T un-
derstand. Miss Calendar. Some day,
perhaps, It viii all clear up-this trou-
BILE OF yours. At least, one supposes
It is trouble. of some sort And then
you viii tell me the whole story.
Won't your" Kirkwood insisted
smile OF shGdowed sadness. I'VE are to
say good night In a moment or two.
and-!t will be goodby an well IT'S
unlikely that we shall ever meet
again"
'T refuse positively to take such q
gloomy view OF the case"
She shook her head. laughing with
him. but with shy regret. IT'S so,
none the less. We are leaving London
guH& 60
leaving England, for that matter"
Leaving EnglandT" he echoed.
You're not by any chance bound for
America, are your"
'T can't tell you"
But you can tell me this: are you
booked on the Minneapolis"
''No-o; it is a-quite another boat"
'Tt wouldn't be me to have any sort
OF luck"
She made no reply beyond q low
laugh. He stared gloomily out OF his
window. noting indifferently that they
were passing the National gallery. On
their left Trafalgar square stretched
broad and bare, a wilderness OF sooty
stone with an air Of mutely toierating
fits incongruous fountains. Through
buses and hackney carriages.
Glumly the young man foresaw the
passing Of his abbreviated romance;
their destination was near at hand.
Brentwick had been right. to some ex-
tent, at leact; It was quite true that
the curtain had been rung up that very
night upon Kirkwood's romance; un-
happily. as Brentwick had not fore
seen, 1t was Immediately to be rung
down.
The cab rolled soberly into the
Strand
Since we are to say goodby so very
soon," suggested Kirkwood, may
ask a parting favor, Miss CaIendar?"
She regarded him with friendly eyes.
you have every right" she affirmed
gently.
Then please to tell me frankly, are
you going into any further danger7"
And is that the only boon you crave
at my hands, Mr Kirlwoodr'
Without impertinence -
For a little time, waiting for him TO
conclude his vague phrase. she watched
him in an expectant silence. But he
was dif1dent to q degree At
length, somewhat unconsciously, 'T
think not" she answered. No; there
win be no danger awaiting me at Mrs.
Hallam's. You need not fear for me
any more. Thank you"
He lifted his brows at the unfamiliar
name. Mrs. Hallam-7"
II am going to her house IN Craven
street"
Your father is to meet you thereY"
persistently.
HE promised to-"
"But If he shouldn'tT'
''why . +" Her eyes clouded;
she pursed her lips over the oonjectural
annoyance. why. in that event,
suppose It would be very en-
barrassing You see. I don't know Mrs.
Hallam; don't know that she expects
me, unless my father is already there.
They are old friends :. could
drive around for awhile and come back,
I suppose"
But she made It plain that the pros
pect did not please her.
Wont you let me ask II Mr.. Caien-
dar Is there, before you get out, then7
I don't like to be dismissed" he
laughed; "and. you know, you shouldn't
go wandering round all alone"
The cab drew up. Kirkwood put a
hand on the door and awaited her
will.
Tit would be very kind I
hate TO impose upon you"
He turned the knob and got out.
IF you'll wait one moment" he said
superhuously, as he closed the door.
Pausing only to verify the number,
he Eprang up the steps and found the
Dell button.
It was q modest little residence. IN
nothing more remarkable than its
neighbors. unless II was for g certain
air Of extra grooming; tho area railing
was sleek with fresh black paint: the
doorstep looked the better for vigor-
Gus stoning; the door itself was I'M
maculate, itE brasses shining lustrouB
against red lacquered woodwork. A
soft glow filed the fanlighE Overhead
the drawing room windows shons with
q cozy, warm radiance
The door opened, framing the figure
Of q maid gketched broadly IN masses
Of somber black and dead white.
''Cau you tell me- 10 Mr.. Calendar
hereT
The servants eyes left his faoa,
looked past him at the waiting cab.
and returned
'Tm not sure. sir. If you win please
step IN"
Kirkwood hesitated briefly. then 40
ceded. The maid closed the door.
What name shall say, sirf"
mfr. Kirkwood."
eff you will please to wait one mo-
ment, sir"
He was left In the entry hall. the
servant hurrying to the staircase and
up Three minutes elapsed; he was on
the point OF returning to the girl, when