The San Francisco call., 1909-03-14


cruel irony of their estate.
II what he understood were true, a
kings ransom was secreted within the
cheap, imitation leather satchel which
served her for pillow. But It avatled
her nothing for her comfort. II what he
believed were true, she was absolute
mistress of that treasure of jewels:
yet that night she had been forced to
sleep on hard, uncushioned bench in
the open air. and this morning he must
waken her to the life of hunted
thing. A week ago she had had at
her command every luxury known to
the civilized world: today she was
friendless but for his inefficient worth
less self. and in a strange land A
week ago-had he known her then
he had been free to tell her OF his
love, to offer her the. protection OF his
name as well as his devotion; today
he was an all but penniless vagabond.
and there could be no dishonor deeper
than to let her know the nature of his
hearts desire.
Was ever lover hedged from a dec
laration to his mistress by circumstan-
ces so hateful. so untoward, He could
have ragged and rallied against his fate
ike any madman. For he desired her
greatly, and she was very lovely in
his sight II her nights rest had
been broken and but a mOckery. she
showed few signs OF IT.; the faint, wan
complexion Of fatigue seemed only to
enhance the beauty OF her maiden
mood; her lips were as fresh and de-
sfrous as the dewy petals of Grim
son rose; beneath her eyes soft shad-
oWs Aurked where her 1ashes lay trem-
uious upon her cheeks OF satin. :.
Sne was to him of all created things
the most wonderful, the most desirable.
Inc temptation of his longing seemed
ha
But resist he must, or part forever
with any title to her consideration
or his own He shut his teeth and
hnotleo his brows In a transport OF
uesire to touch, II only with his finger
UPS. the woven wonder OF her hair.
ana tnus she Eaw him, when, without
warning. she awoke.
Sewlderment at first informed the
Wlde brown eyes; then, as their droy-
siness vanished, a little laughter. a
little tender mirth
GOOD morning, Sir knight OF the
Somoer Countenance" she cried. stand
ing up Am so utterly disreputabIe
mat you md 1T necessary to frown
on me SO darkly?'
He shook his head, smiling.
know I'm a fright" she asserted
vigorously. shaking out the folds NJ
her pleated skirt And as for nv
hat, 1T will never be on straight-but
then you wouldn't know"
cantly.
Then please to try to look a little
napplerS since you find me quite pre-
II do.
Without lifting her bended head. she
looked up. laughing. not Ill pleased.
You'd say so reaIlv?'
SCommonplace enough, this banter.
TINS pitiful endeavor to be oblivious to
tnelr common misery; but like the look
sne gave him, her words rang In his
mead like potent fumes of wine. He
turned away. utterly Disconnected for
the time, knowing only that he must
overcome his weakness
Far down the railway tracks there
rose murmuring, that waxed to a
rumoling roar. A passing porter an
sWered Kirkwood's inquiry; 1t was the
night boat train from Ostend. He
picked up their bags and drew the
girl into the waiting room, troubled
oy sickening forebodipg.
inrough the window they watched
the train roll In and STOP
Among others alighted, smirkine tha
unspeakable Hobbs
He lifted his hat and bowed tauntfIv
70 the waiting room window. maxim 3
1t plain that his keen eyes had dis
covered them instantly
kirkwood's heart sank with the
hopelessness of it all. If the rail
way dfrectorates of Europe consnfrad
against them, what chance had thew
II the night boat train from Ostend
mad only had the decency to be 25
minutes late, instead OF arriviu z
promptly on the minute of 4:45. thew
two might have escaped by the sos
for Dunkerque and Calais.
There remained but single untried
ruse In his bag of tricks mercifully
1t might suffice
Miss Calendar" said Kirkwood from
his heart, Just as soon as I get Won
home. safe and sound, I am going to
take day OF, hunt up that little
villain, and fay him alive. In the
meantime, I forgot to dine last night.
and am reminded that we had better
forage for breakfast"
Hobbs dogged them at a safe dis
lance. while they sailed forth and In a
neisnoorins street discovered an early
Dird bakery. Here they were able to
purchase rolls steaming from the oven
fresh pats OF golden butter wrapped
In clean lettuce leaves, and milk In
twin bottles; all of which thew pro-
saicaily carried with them back to the
station, lacking leisure as they did 10
partake Of the food before train time
V1thOuI attempting COnCeQlmont
(Hobbs. he knew, was eavesdropnin1 .
around the corner OF the door) Kirk
wood purchased at the ticket window
passages on the Dunkerque train. Mr..
Hobbs promptly fattered him by imi-
tation; and SO Jealous of his luck was
Kirkwood by this time grown. through
continual disappointment, that he ala
not even let the girl into his plans
until they were aboard the SOC, in a
compartment all to themselves. Then.
having with his own eyes seen Mr..
Hobbs dodge into the third compart-
ment in the rear OF the same carriage.
Kirkwood astonished the girl by re-
questing her to follow him; and to-
gether they left by the door opposite
that by which they had entered
The engine was running up and
down scale OF staccato snorts. in
preparation for the race, and the cars
were on the edge or moving. coup-
fngs clanking, wheels a-groan. ere
Mr.. Hobbs condescended to join them
between the tracks.
Wearily, disheartened, Kirkwood re-
opened the door. flung the bags in.
and helped the girl back into their
despised compartment; the Quicker
route to England via 0zfapd u,o. -.