Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-03-04

threw over one shoulder; come in,
shut the door and lock it. Let's all be
sociable, and have a nice quiet time"
Stryker obeyed, with errisive grim
ace for Kirkwood.
Calendar advanced jauntily to
point within yard of the table, stop
ped, smiled affably down upon his
prospective victims, and airily twirled
his revolver.
Good evening. ALL" he saluted
them blandiy. Dorothy, MI child"
with assumed concern, you're look
ing trifle upset; I'm afraid you've
teen keeping late hours. Little girls
must be careful, you know, or they
lose the bloom of roses in their cheeks
Mr.. KirkWood, it's pleasure
to meet you again! Permit me to para
phrase your most sound advice, and
remind you that pistol shots are apt
to attract undesirable attention 1t
wouldn't be wise for you to bring the
police about our ears. believe that in
substance such was your sapient coun-
sci to me in the cabin of the Alethea;
was it not? e And you, sir"
fixing Brentwick with cold unfriend-
ly eye. "You animated fossil, what
d'you mean by telling me to go to the
devil? = But let that pass. I
hold no grudge. What might your
name be-"
ut might be Brentwick," said that
gentleman placidly.
'tBrentwick, Ell? Well. I like man
of spirit. But permit me to advise
YOU
"Gladly," nodded Brentwick.
"Eh? Don't come a sec
ond time between father and daugh-
ter; another man might not be as pa
tient as l, Mister Brentwick. That's a
law in the land, if you don't happen to
know it,
81 congratulate you on your success
in evading 1t" observed Brentwick,
undisturbed. "And it was considerable
of you not to employ it in this in
stance" Then, with a sharp change of
tone, Come, sir!" he demanded. "You
have unwarrantly intruded in this
room, which l have engaged for pri-
vate use Get through with your bust
ness and be off with you
"All in good time, my antediluvian
friend. When I've wound UP my bust
ness here I'll go--not before But, just
to oblige you, We'll get down to it.
Kirkwood, you have a re-
volver of mine. Be good enough to re-
turn it,
81 have it hereunder the table, y
interrupted Brentwick suavely. "Shall
I hand it to your
"By the muzzle. if you please. Be
very careful; this ones loaded ,gtoo =
apt to explode any minute
To Kirkwood's intense disgust
Brentwick quietly slipped one hand be-
meath the table and, placing the re
volver on its top, delicately with his
finger tips showed it toward the far
Their edge. With grunt of approval
Calendar swept the weapon up and
into his pocket.
ANY more ordnance?" he inquired
briskly, eyes moving alertly from face
to face. <'No matter; you wouldn't
dare use 'em, anyway. And Pm about
done. Dorothy, my dear, it's about
time you returned to your fathers
protection. Where's that gladstone
bag?"
'sIn my travelling bag" the girl told
him in toneless voice.
"Then you may bring it along. You
may also say good night to the kind
gentlemen"
Dorothy did not move; her pallor
grew more intense and Kirkwood saw
her knuclJes tighten beneath the
gloves. Otherwise her mouth seemed
to grow more straight and hard.
"Dorothy!' cried the adventurer,
with a touch of displeasure. "You
heard me?"
ct heard YOU she replied little
YEARLY, more than a little contemp'
tuously. Don't mind him, please, Mr.
Kirkwood! with an appealing ges
ture as Kirkwood, unable to contain
himself. moved restlessly in his chair
/ threatening to rise. Don't say any
/ thing. l have no intention whatever
of going with this man."
Calendars features twitched ner
vously; he chewed a corner Of his
mustache, fixing the girl with blank
stare 81 presume" he remarked aft
er moment, with slow deliberation
you're aware that, as your father,
am in a position to compel you to &C
company me-"
Shall uot ~ Will sou, W. o'SN
Dorothy in level tone. "You may
threaten me, butt shall not go. Mr.
/ Brentwick and Mr.. Kirkwood are TAX
ing me to - friends, who will give
me home until can find way tt
take care of myself. That is all have
!; to say to you."
Bravo, my dear!" cried Brentwicl
encouragingly.
"Mind your business, sir!" thunder
ed Calendar, his face darkening. Then
| to Dorothy you understand, / trust
what this means?" he demanded. $
offer you home-and good one
Refuse, and you work for your living
my girl! You've forfeited your leg
acy-"
| 81 know, know" she told him il
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