Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-06-03

Kirkwood. 81 can work like other
men,"
"You a do yourself and your gen
lus grave injustice, and l fear me you
will, dear boy. It's in keeping with
your heritage of American obstinacy.
Now, If it were a question of money!
MIR. Brentwick," Kirkwood protest.
ed vehemently, I've ample for INV
present needs" he added.
"Of course" conceded Brentwiclz.
with a sigh. Il didn't really hope YOU
would avail yourself of our friendship.
Now, there's my home in Aspen Viii
las. You have seen it,"
"In your absence this afternoon yonr
estimable butler, with commendahle
discretion, kept me without the DOORS"
laughed the young man.
"1t's a comfortable home. You would
not consent to share it with me UNI
tip
"1ou are more than good; but, hon
estly, l must sail tonight. L wanted
only this chance to see you before L
left. You'll dine with me, won't you?"
"If you would stay in London, Phil
Up, we would dine together not once,
but many times. AS it is, | myself am
booked for Munich, to be gone a week,
on business. l have many affaira' need
ing attention between now and the
9:1O train from Victoria. If you will
no INV p11act nj tc,oo,, y-;I1o.t,
"Please" begged Kirkwood, with a
little laugh of pleasure because of the
others insistence. II only wish
could. Another day
"Oh, you will make your million in
a year and return ~scandalously in.
dependent. It's in your American
blood" Frail white fingers tapped an
arm Of the chair as their owner stared
gravely into the fire. 81 confess !
envy you," he observed.
"The opportunity to make a million
in a year?" chuckled Kirkwood.
mo. 1 envy you your romance,
You have youth, unconquerable youth
and the world before you. l must CO.
He rose stitly, as though suddenly
made conscious Of his age. The ole
eyes peered more than a trife wist
fully now into Kirkwood's. "You will
not fail to call on me by cable, deal
boy, if you need-anything? I ask il
as a favor. Pm glad you wished tc
see me before going out of my life
One learns to value the friendship OF
youth, Philip. Goodby, and good luck
attend YOU"
Alone once more, Kirkwood returned
to his window. The disappointment
he felt at being robbed of his antici
pated pleasure in Brentwick's com.
pany at dinner colored his mood IN.
pleasantly. His musings merged into
yacuity, into a dull gray mist of hope
lessness comparable only to the disma,
skies then lowering owe London town
Brentwick was good, but BrentwicI
was mistaken. There was really moth
ing for Kirkwood to do but to &C
ahead. But n steamer trunk re
manned to be packed. The boat train
would leave before midnight, the
steamer with the morning tide. By
the morrow's moo he would be upon
the high seas, within ten days in New
York and among friends, and then
The problem of that afterward per
| picked Kirkwood more than he cared
to own. Brentwick had opened his
eyes to the fact that he would b.
practically useless in San Francisco
He could not harbor the thought o.
going back only to become a charge
upon Nanderlip. No; he was resolved
that thenceforward he must rely uDoI
himself, carve out his own destiny
But-would the art that he had cul
tivated with such assiduity yield hin
a livelihood if sincerely practiced will
that end in view? Would the menta
and physical equipment of a painter
heretofore dilettante, enable him t.
become self supporting?
There came Il rapping at the door,
The knob was turned by a diminu
tive figure in the livery of the Pies.
pages.
"Mr. Kirkwood:'
Kirkwood nodded.
"Gentleman to see you, sir"
Kirkwood nodded again, smiling, i
somewhat perplexed. Encouraged, thu
child advanced, proffering a silver
card tray at the end of an unnatural,
rigid forearm. Kirkwood took til,
card obviously between thumb an,
forefinger and inspected it withou
prejudice.
"'George B. Calendar" he read
"'George B. Calendar!!' But I know
no such person. Sure there's no mis-
take, young man?"
The close cropped, bullet shape,
British head was agitated in vigorou
negation, and Gard for Mr.. Kirk
woodw was mumbled in dispassionat
accents appropriate to a recitation b,
rote.
every we'll. But before you shoy
him up ask this Mr.. Calendar If b
is quite sure he wants to see Phili
Kirkwood."
"Yessir."
The child marched out, punctiliousl
closing the door. Kirkwood tampe
down the tobacco in his pipe an,
pulled energetically, dismissing the IL
terrupt1on to his reverie as q matte