Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-08-12

lie 0eClueu llul IL WIS HIS uulN W
remind himself from time to time
that his main interest must be in the
game itself. in the solution Of the rid
die. Whatever should befall, he must
look for no reward for his gratuitous
and self appointed part. Indeed, he
was ali but successful in persuading
himself that it was the fascination Of
adventure alone that drew him on.
A hapchance native whom he pres
entity encountered furnished minute
directions for reaching the Dockyard
station of the Southeastern and Chat
ham railway, adding comfortable in
formation to the effect that the next
eastbound train would pass through
in ten minutes-if Kirkwood would
mend his pace he could make it easily,
with time to spare.
KirkWood mended his pace accord
ingly, but, contrary to the prediction.
had 10 time to spare at all Even as
he stormed the ticket grating the train
was laundering in at the platform.
Therefore a Two ticket agent
passed him out q first class ticket In
stead of the third class he had asked
for, and there was NO time wherein to
have the mistake rectifled. Klrkwood
planked down the fare. swore and
sprinted for the carriages.
The first compartment whose door
Ae perked violently open proved to be
occupied and was, moreover, not a
cr,,o1-ir,,r q, IJn rn,ivn1 ~ Gant;,nr
impression of 81 woman's startled eyes
staring into his own through Il thin
mesh OF yelling. fell off the running
board, slammed the door and hurled
himself toward the next compartment.
Here happier fortune attended upon
his desire. The boxlike section was
un%tenanted, and a notice blown upon
the window glass announced that it
was Second Glass Smoking" Kirk
wood promptly tumhled in. and when
he turned to shut the door the coaches
were moving.
A pipe helped him to bear up while
the train was making it's two Other
stops in the borough of Woo!wich. II
consoled him little that none disputed
with him his lonely possession of The
compartment, that he had caught the
EhecrnpsS train or that he was really
losing no time. y sense of deep de
lection had settled down upon his con
~sciouSness, with Il realization OF hon
completely Il fools errand Was this q
his. He felt f~orcdoomed TO failure
He was never to see Dorothy Calcnda.
again, and his brain seemed num1
with disappointment. Presently h
toppled Imply over on the cushion
and fell fast asleep.
Rattling and swaying. the train lief
the town behind.
Presently he put aside his pipe an,
stared hlankiy out at q Keeling land
scare. the pleasant, homely, smilin.
countryside of Kent. \ deeper me-
ancholy tinted his mind-Dorothy Ca.
endnr was forever lost to him. Pres
emily he toppled Imply over on til
cushions and fell fast asleep.
After Il long time he seemed to rea
Ee rather hazily that the carriage doc
had been opened to admit somebod,
Its smart closing bang shocked hl1
awake. BE sat up, blinking in cor
fusion, hardly conscious Of more, t
begin with. than that the train ha,
paused and was again in full flight
Then, his senses clearing, he becam
aware that his solitary companion, jus
entered. was a woman. She was seate
across from him, her back to the er
CINE, in an attitude which somehow
suggested q highly nonchalant fran
Of mind. She laughed, and immediate
ly her speaking voice was high an
sweet in his hearing.
Beneath his breath the bewildere
man said, 1.-The deuce..' and above i
in q stupefed tone, Mrs. Hallamw
She nodded in a not unfriendly fast
ion, smiling brightly. Myself, MI
Kirkwood. Really our predestine
paths are badly tangled just nov
aren't they? Were you surprised t
find me In here with you? Come, now
confess you were!!'
He remarked the smooth, GIRLS
lFCSlllleSS ol 1eI CuSShS, VIC StLSG an
huInor of her mouth, the yelled CLEAR
OF excitement in her eyes of the chang
ing sea, and saw Is we'll that she wa
dressed for travelling, sensibly, bu
with an air, and had brought a sma
hand bag With her.
surprised and delighted" he repliet
recovering. with mendacity SO intez
tional and obvious that the woma
laughed aloud.
Il knew you'd be! You see, l ha
the carriage ahead, the II you didn
take. | was 80 disappointed when 70
flung up to the door and away agaiI
You didn't see me hanging half OF
the window to watch where you wen
did you? That's how I discovered tina
your d]iscourtesy was u~nintentiona
that you hadn't recognized me-by th
fact that you took this compartmer
right behind my own"
She paused invitingly, but kirkwoot
grown wary, contented himself wit
picking up his pipe and CAREFUL
knocking out the dottle on the windo,
ledge.
'I was Glad to coo VOL, ~ sha a IF rmo/