Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-06-10
CHAPTE H--Continued.

"Why. Kirkwocd. my dear feiiow!' he crowed. not so loudly as to attract attention. but in tone assumed to divert suspicion. should he be over heard. This is great luck. you know. to find you here"
 "Is it?" returned KirkwOOd cooily He disenguged his fingers.
 The pink plump face was contorted ilI furtlve grinace of deprecation. Without waiting for permission Calen- dar dropped into the vacant chair.
 My dear sir he proceeded. un- abashed. "I throw myself upon your mercy"
 ''The devil you dol"
 "l must I'm iI the deuce of hole. ard there's no one know here be- sides yourself l-I"-
 krkwood saw tit to lead him on, partly because out of the corner of hi5 eye he was aware of the girls uncon- cealed suspense. Co on. please. Mir Calendar. You throw yourself on a total strangers mercy because you're In the deuce of Il hclc. and
 Its this way. I'm called away cu urgent business-imperative business 1 must go at once. My daughter Is with me--my daughter. Think of my embarrassment. 1 cannot leave Der here alone. nor can permit her to gu home unprotected"
 Calendar paused in anxiety.
 That's easily remedied then." sug- gested KlrkwoOd.
 How"
 "Put her in cab nt the door,"
 No. The devil. couldn't think of it. You won't understand. l"-
 "l do not understand" amended the younger man politely. Calendar compressed. his lips nerv- ously. It was plain that the man was quivering with impatience and half mad with excitement. He held quiet only long enough to regain his. self control and take counsel with his pru- dence.
 1t is impossible. Mir. Kirkwood. must ask you to be generous and be- lievc me-
 Very well. For the sake of the ar. gument do believe you. Mir. Calen. dar''
 Swiftly. stammering In his haste: "l can't let Dorothy accompany me to the door," declared Calendar She I-l throw myself upon your mercyr'
 What. again?'
 ''The truth-the truth Is. if you will have it. that am in danger of arrest the moment leave here. If my daugh- ter is with me she will have to endure the shame and huniiliaiion"-
 Then why .lare her in such posi- tion:" kirkwood demanded sharply. Calendars eyes burned. incandescent with resentment Offended. he offered to rise ard go. but changed his mind and sat tight in hope. ''l beg of you. sir "One moment. Mir. Calendar" Abruptly Kirk woods weathercochy humor shifted. amusement yielding to intrigued interest. After all. why not oblige the fellow? What did anything | matter now? What harm could visit him If he yielded to this cornulent nd venturpr's insistence? Besides. there | was the girl to be considered. Kirkwocd considered her forthwith l In. the process thereof his eyes sought her. perturbed. Their glances ciashed She looked away hastily. crimson tc
 her temples.
 | Instantly the conflict between curi osity and caution. inclination and dis
 trust. was at an end. With sudden compliance the young man rose. | "I shall he most happy to be of serv
 fec to your daughter. Mir. Calendar
 he said. placing the emphasis with be
 coming gravity. And then. the fat ad | venturer leading the way. Kirkwood ] strCde across the room, wondering I somewhat at himself. if the whole
 truth Is to be disclosed. |