Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-10-01

might prove to her.
And she was insistent. He might not
dodge the issue "Why?" she repeated
as he paused.
81 wish you wouldn't press me for
an answer just now. Miss Calendar"
Don't you think | had better llnow?"
Instinctively he inclined his head in
assent.
"Then why?"
Kirlwood bent forward and patted
the flank of the satchel that held the
gladstone bag.
What does that mean, Mr.. Kirk
wood?
"That 1 have the jewels" he told her
tersely, looking straight ahead.
At his shoulder he heard a low gasp
of amazement and incredulity COM
mingled.
"But-how did you get them? My
father deposited them in bank this
morning?"
HE must have taken them out
again. l got them on board the
Alethea, where your father was con-
ferring with Mulready and Captain
Stryker"
1.-The Alethea!'
Yes
"You took them from those men
you! But didn't my father
II had to persuade him." said kirk
wood simply.
But there were three of them
against you!"
"Mulready misunderstanding very
we'll, and Stryker's a coward. They
gave me no trouble. locked them in
STRIKERS room, lifted the bag of jew
els and came away. | ought to tell
you that they were discussing the ad-
visibility of sailing away without you.
leaving you here, friendless and with
out means. That's why l considered
it my duty to take a hand. don't
like to tell you this so brutally, but
you ought to know
IL understand
But for some moments she did not
speak. He avoided looking at her.
The fiacre, rolling at top speed, but
smoothly, on the broad avenues that
encircle the ancient city, turned into
the Avenue de Keyser, bringing into
sight the Care Centrale
You don't-k-know"- began the girl
without warning. in a voice gusty with
sobs
STEADY on. said Kirkwood gently.
II do know, but don't let's talk about
it now Well be at the station in a
minute, and I'll get out and see what's
to be done about train if neither
Mulready nor Stryker is about. You
stay in the carriage. No." He
changed his mind suddenly. "I'll not
risk losing you again. It's risk well
have to run in company"
"Please." she agreed brokenly.
The fiacre slowed UP and stopped.
Are you all right. Miss Calendar?
IIirkwocd asked,
The girl sat up. lifting her head
proudly. 81 am quite ready" she said
steadying her voice.
Kirlwood reconnoitered through the
window while the driver was descend
ing.
Care Ccntrale, m'sieu'." he said
opening the door.
mo one III sight" kirkwood told the
girl. Come, please"
He got out and gave her his hand
then paid the driver picked up thu
two bags and hurried with Dorothy
into the station to find in waiting ;
string of cars into which people were
at the ticket window developed tn
fact that it was the 22:26 for Brussels
the last train leaving the Care Ger
trale that night and due to start in tie
minutes.
The information settled their plan
for once and all Kirkwood prompt
secured through tickets. also purcha!
ing reserve supplementary ticket
which entitled them to the use {
those modern corridor coaches whic
take the place of first class compar
ments on the Belgian state railways.
Its pleasure said Kirkwoo
lightly as he followed the girl int
one of these ITO find oneself in
common sense sort Of train agai
\ Feels like home" He put their lui
gage in one of the racks and sat dow
beside her.
The girl smiled bravely. And aft
Brussels?' she inquired.
First train for the coast" he sa
promptly" Ostend, Boulogn
whichever proves handiest, no matt
which, so long as it gets us on Enslis
soil without undue delay"
She said Eyes" abstractedly, restil
an elbow on the window sill and h
chin in her palm. to stare with SCI
Gus, sweet brown eyes out into Il
arc smitten night that hung benea
the echoing roof.
kirkwood tidgeted in despite of t
constraint he placed himself under
be still and not disturb her needlessl
Impatierce and apprehension of m
fortune obsessed his mental process
in equal degree The ten minut
seemed interminable that elapsed e
the grinding couplings advertised t
imminence of their start
The guards began to bawl the doc
to slam, belated travellers to dash ma
ly for the coaches. The train gave
preliminary lurch ere settling down
= it's league long inland dash.
-- Kirkwood, in Il fever of hope and
ague of fear. saw a man sprint
riously across the platform and thrt
himself on the forward steps of tn
coach on the very instant OF the sta
Presently he entered by the forwa
door and walked slowly through, N