The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-05-13
Copyright. 1908. BY the Bobbs-r1errilI Co.

pihn0tlou OI uls unceremoulOub appear
ance. $50 took the liberty OF following
on the heels Of the bell hop. dear boy.
And how are you? Why the anxious
undertone detected In your notef"
He continued to stare curiously into
Sirkwood's face. At glance this
Mr.. Brentwick was man Of tailish
figure aud rather slender. with a coun
tenance thin and flushed a sensitive
pink. out OF which his eyes shone.
keen. alert. humorous and trace
wistfnl behind his glasses. His years
were indeterminate, with the aspect Of
fifty. the spirit and the verye Of thirty
assorted oddly. But his hands were
old. delicate. fine and fragile. and the
lips beneath the dropping white mus
tache at times trembled. almost i'm
perceptibly. with the generous senti-
ments that come with mellow age. He
held his back straight and his head
with ma air-an air that was not q
swagger. but the sign token Of sea-
soned experience In the world. The
most carpIng could have found no
daw In the quiet taste Of his attire.
To sum up. KIrkwood's very good
friend. and his only one then In Lon
ton. Mr. Brentwick. looked and was
an English gentleman.
-Whyr' he persisted an the younger
man besitated. Il am here TO fnd out
Tonight I leave for the continent In
the meantime
And NJ midnight l san for the
States" added Kirkwood. THAT is
mainly why wished to see you-to
say eoodby for the time.s
You're going home A shadow
clouded Brenfwick's clear eycs.
TO fight II out. shoulder to shoul-
der. with my brethren In adversely"
Ths, cloud liffed. THAT n the spir.
it, declared the elder man. For the
moment ! did you the injustice to be-
lieve fhnt you were running away.
But now I understand. Forgive me.
Pardon. too. the stupidity which l
must lay NJ the door OF my advancing
years. To me the thought Of you as a
Partisan fixture has become such a
commonplace. Philip. that the news Of
the disaster hardly stirred me. Now
I remember thar you are a Callfor-
MAN"
Il was born IN San Francisco" af.
firmed Kirkwood. BIT sadly. aMy
father ard mother were buried there"
.And your fortuner'
Il inherited my fathers interest In
The firm Of Kirkwocd & vanderlip.
When came over 10 study painting
left everything In yanderiip's hands.
The business afforded me handsome
living"
you have heard from Mr.. Wander.
lIpy'
Fifteen minutes ago. Kirkwood
took cabiegram. stili damp. from bis
pocket and handed II 10 bis guest
Unfolding II the latter read:
klrkwood. piess. London.
Stay where you are. No good coming
hack. Everything gone. No insurance
Letter follows. VANDERBILT.
when got the news in Paris"
Kirkwood volunteered. Il tried the
banks They refused TO honor my
drafts. I had little money In hand.
enough 90 see me home. so closed
the studio and came across. I'm
booked on the Minneapolis. sailing
from Tilbury at daybreak. The boat
train leaves at if30. had hoped
you might he able 10 dine with me and
see ne or.
In silence Brcntwick returned the
cable mcssage. Then. with thought.
full look. You are sure this Is wiser
be gueried.
sits the only thing ! can see.'
"But your partner says
"Nniuraliy be thinks that by this
time | should have learned TO paint
well enough to support myself for a
few months until he can get things
running again. Perhaps | might"
Brentwick supported the presumption
with decided gesture. "But have ]
right to leave vandcrlip 70 flght Il
out alone? For vandcrllp has a wife
and Riddles 20 support r.
"your geniusr'
.My ability. such as II is. and that
only. II can walt. No: this means
simply that must come down from
the clouds. plant my feet on solid
earth and get to work"
"The sentiment Is sound" admitted
Brentwick. "ihe practice " Il folly
Have you stopped 20 think what part
a rising young portrait painter can
contribute toward the rebuilding Of Q
devastated cityT'
sThe painting can wait" reiterated
Kirtwood. 4 can work like othcl
men"
"you can do yourself and yuur gen
ius grave Injustice, and fear me yot
viii. dear boy. It's in keeping will
| your heritage of American ohstinacy