Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-11-09

'It's the barest chance" he muttered
perhaps We can make It."
"What are you going to dor asked
the woman.
"Give Mr.. Mulready run for his
money. Come along. Kirkwood! We
haven't a minute. Mrs. Hallam, per-
NIT u.s." She stepped aside, and be
brushed past her to the door. Come,
Kirkwoodw
He seemed to take Kirkwood's COM
pany for granted, and the young man
was not inclined to argue the point.
Meekly enough he fell in with Calen-
dar on the sidewalk. Mrs. Hallam fol-
lowed them out. 'You won't forget?'
she called tentatively.
an phone you II we find out any.
thing" Calendar jerked the words
uncermoniously over his shoulder as,
linking arms with Kirkwood, he drew
him swiftly along. They heard her
shut the door. Instantly Calendar
stopped. Look here, did Dorothy
have IA small parcel with herr"
She had gladstone bag"
"Oh, the devil. the devilw Calendar
started on again, muttering distracted.
". AS they reached the corner he
disengaged his arm. We've minute
and half to reach Charing Cross pier,
and think it's the last boat. You set
the pace. will you? But remember I'm
an oldish man and-and fat"
They began to run, the one easily,
the other numbering after like an old
fashioned square rugged ship paced BY
liner
The Thames appeared before them,
q river of ink on whose FURNISHED sur
face lights swan in long winding
streaks and oily blobs. By the floating
pier q county council steamboat strain.
ed Its hawsers, snoring huskily. Bells
were jingling in her engine room as
the two gained the head Of the sloping
gangway.
Kirkwood slapped a shilling down
on the ticket window ledge. Where
to-" he cried back to Calendar.
Cherry Gardens pier" rasped the
winded man. He stumbled after Kirk.
wood, groaning with exhaustion. Only
the tolerance of the pier employees
gained them their end. The steamer
was held some seconds for them. As
Calendar staggered to its deck the
gangway was jerked in, the last haw'
ser cast off. The boat sheered wide
out on the river, then shot In, arrow
like. to the pier beneath Waterloo
bridge.
The deck was crowded, and addi-
tional passengers embarked at every
stop. In the circumstances conversa'
ton. save on the most impersonal top
les, was impossible.
As the boat snorted beneath London
bridge Calendars impatience drove
him from his seat back to the gang
way. Next stop" he told KEkwood
curtly and rested his heavy bulk
against the paddle box, brooding mo-
rosely, until. after an uninterrupted
run of more than mile, the steamer
swept in. side wheels backing water
furiously against the ebbing tide. to
Cherry Gardens landing.
Sweet name for a locality unsavory
beyond credence!
Kirkwood shuddered, sticking close
to Calendars side as they landed
Life's naked brutalities had thereto.
fore been largely out of his ken. He had
heard Of slums. had even ventured to
mouth politely moral platitudes On the
subject Of overcrowding In great cen
tiers of population, but in the darkest
flights Of Imagination had never pic
tured to himself anything so unspeak-
ably foul and hopeless as this. And
they were come hither seeking Doro-
thy Calendar!
After some ten minutes steady walk
ing Calendar turned aside with NUT
tered word and dived down a covered
dark and evil smelling passageway
that seemed to lead toward the river.
Mastering his involuntary qualms.
Kirkwood followed.
Some ten or twelve PAGES from its
entrance the passageway swerved at
right angle, continuing three yards or
so to end in blank wall. wherefrom
q pickering, inadequate gas lamp jut.
ted. At this point stone platform
perhaps four feet square was discov-
cred, from the edge Of which a flight
Of worn and Shiny stone steps led
down to a permanent boat landing.
where another gaslight fared gustily
despite the protection Of Its frame Of
begrimed glass.
Good Lordr' exclaimed the young
man. What in heavens name. Cal
endar"-
"Bermondsey Old Stairs. Come on"
They descended to the landing stage.
Beneath them the pool slept, sheet of
polished ebony, whispering to itself.
tapping with small. stealthy gurgles
angles Of masonry and ancient piles.
On the farther bank tall warehouses
reared square old time heads. their un-
compromising, rugged profile relieved
81 h 90 10