Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1909-08-26
CHAPTER XVIII


ing Cross for perhaps the tenth
= time in the course Of his jour-
ney Kirkwood withdrew his gaze from
the window and turned to the girl. a
question ready framed upon his lips.
Are you quite sure he began, and
then. alive to the clear and penetrat ting
perception in the brown eyes that
smiled into his from under their level
brows. he stammered and left the
query uncompleted
Continuing to regard him steadily
and smilingly. Dorothy shook her head
In playful denial and protest. do you
KNOW" she commented. that this is
about the fifth repetition Of that iden-
teal question within the last quarter
hour?'
| How do you know what I meant to
say?" he demanded. staring.
| Il can see 1t in your eyes. Besides.
you've talked and thought Of nothing
else since we left the boat Won't you
believe me. please. when l say there's
absolutely not soul in London to
whom could go and ask for shelter?
don't think It's very nice Of you to
be so openly anxious to get rid of
me-"
This latter was so essentially unde-
served and so artlessly insincere that
he must needs. Of course, treat 1t with
all seriousness.
THAT isn't fair, Miss Calendar. Real
ly it's not"
"What am l to think? I've told Won
any number Of times that it's only an
hours ride on to Cbiltern, where the
Pyrfords will be glad to take me in.
You may depend upon It, by 8 tonight,
at the latest, you'll have me off your
hands-the drag and worry that I've
been ever since
"Don't! he pleaded vehemently.
Please! You know it isn't that, II
don't want you OF my hands, ever
That is to say, lab Here he was
smitten with a dumbness and sat
aghast at the enormity Of his blunder.
entreating her forgiveness with eyes
that very likely pleaded his cause
more eloquently than he guessed.
Il mean." he foundered on present
~, in the fatuous belief that he would
this time be able to control both mind |
and tongue-''what I mean is I'd he
glad to go on serving you in any way
might to the end of time II you'd |
give me-
He left the declaration inconclusiye
"a stroke Of diplomacy that would
have graced an infinitely more adept
wooer. But he used 1t all unconscious
ly. 20 Lord" he groaned in spirit.
Worse and more of it! Why in thun-
der can't say the right thing rightY
Dear Mr.. kirkwood." she said gen.
thy, bending forward as II to read be-
tween the lines anxiety had craven on
bis countenance, won't you tell me.
please, what 1t can be that so worries
your
In evaporation he interrupted al
most rudely. Its only this-I-I'm
strapped"
"StrappedY She knitted her brows
over this fresh specimen Of American
slang.
Flat strapped - busted - broke-on
ny uppers-down and out" He reeled
IF synonyms without a smile. 1T
haven't enough money to pay cab fare
lcross the town.
"OhP she interpolated, enlightened.
Ito say nothing OF taking US to
Chiltern. / couldn't buy you a glass
# water If you were thirsty. There
sn't a soul on earth within hail who
would trust me with a auarter-I mean
shilling-across London bridge. I'm
he original 1uckless wonder and the
My genuine Jonah extant."
With face the hue Of fire he cock
d his eyebrows askew and attempted
o laugh unconcernedly to hide his bit
er shame. 1--we led you out Of the
rying pan into the fire, and don't
now what to do. Please call me
ames." ,
"Oh. poor Mr.. Kirkwood! And it's ,
II because Of me! You've beggared
ourself'-
mot precisely. I was beggared to /
egin with" He FASTENED to disclaim I
he extravagant generosity Of which ,
be accused him. II had only three or