Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-08-05

VI lcI eyes Ol IL Cut. IL WOulQ De DeSC
to defer explanations till q more con-
venient time, don't you think? Then,
If you like, we can chant condolences
in an antiphonal chorus. Just now
your-er-son is not enjoying himself
apparently, and the attention Of the
police had best not be called to this
house too often in one night"
His levity seemed to displease and
perturb the She turned from
him, with an impatient movement of
her shoulders.
Freddie. dear. do you feel able to
walk?"
"Eh? Oh, I dare say-I don't know.
Wonder would your friend-ah-Mr.
Kirkwood, lend me an arm?"
"Charmed," Kirkwood declared
suavely, "if you'll take the candle, Mrs
Hallam."
"One moment" she interposed in
confusion. Il won't keep you wait
ing" And, passing, with an averted
face, she ran quickly upstairs to the
second floor, taking the light with her
Its glow faded from the walls above,
and kirkwood surmised that she had
entered the front bedchamber. Fol
some moments he could hear her NOV
ing about. Once something scraped
and bumped on the floor, as if a heavy
Again there was a resounding thud
that defied speculation, and this was
presently followed by q dull clang of
metal.
Eventually-it was not really long
there came the quick rush of Mrs.
Hallam's feet along the upper hall.
and the woman r~eappcared, n hand
holding her skirts clear of her pretty
feet as she descended in a rush that
caused the candies fame to flicker
perilously.
Halfway down 'AIr. kirkwood.' she
called tempestuously.
Didn't you find it," lie countered
blandly.
She stopped jerkily at the bottom,
II after u moment of confusion 'Find
what, sir?" she asked.
what you sought, Mrs. Uallam."
Smiling, he bore u%n1linching the pro-
longed inspection of her eyes, at once
somber with doubt of him and flashing
with Indignation because of his impu-
dence.
"You knew 1 wouldn't find it, then,
didn't you?"
II may have suspected you
wouldn't"
Now be was sure that she had been
searching for the gladstone bag. That
evidently was the bone Of contention.
Calendar had sent his daughter for it,
Mrs. Hallam her son. Dorothy had
been successful. But, on the other
hand, Calendar and Mrs. Hallam were
unquestionably allies. Why, then
"Where is it, Mr.. Kirkwood?"
MADAM, have you the right to
know?"
Through another lengthening pause
while they faced each other he mark
ed again the curious contraction Of her
underlip.
81 have the right" she declared
steadily. Where is it,"
GLOW can I be sure?"
Then you don't know!"
Indeed" he interrupted, 81 would
be glad to feel that l ought to tell you
what l know"
what you know!!"
The exclamation, low spoken, more
an echo OF her thoughts than intended
for Kirkwood, was accompanied by a
little shake OF the woman'S head, mute
o,riln,,an rs +l,, r,,+ +l,,+ ~. $3.50 ~
wildereu by his inesse. And this de-
lighted the young man beyond meas
ure, making him feel himself master
of Il difficult situation.
The woman would have led again,
but Young Iallam cut in none too
c~ourtcously:
Il say, mamma, it's no good stand
in here p%alaverin' like a lot OF fats.
Besides, Pm awfly knocked up. Let's
get home and have it out there"
Instantly his mother softened. My
poor boy! OF course We'll go"
AS they passed out Kirkvvood shut
the door, and at the same moment the
little party was brought up standing
by q gruff and authoritative summons:
Just a minute, please, you there!"
"Aha!" said Kirkwood to himself.
II thought so. And he halted in I'M
feigned respect for the burly and i'm
pressive figure, CARRIED in blue and
brass, barring the way to the car
riage.
Mrs. Hallam showed less Difference
for the obstructionist. The assumed
hauteur and Impotence Of her pose
We're artfully reflected in her voice as
she rounded upon the bobby with an
indignant demand. "What is the mean
ing Of this, oficer?"
Precisely what I wants to know,
ma'am," returned the man, unyielding
beneath his respectful attitude. "I'm
obliged to ask you to tell me what you
were doing in that 'ouse. And what's
the matter with this ERE gentleman"
he added, with a dubious stare at
young Hallam's bandaged head and
rumpled clothing.
Perhaps you don't understand" I'D
mitted Mrs. Hallam sweetly. "Of
COurSe-I See--it'S nerfacflv n0fura1