Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-01-14
CHAPTER III-Contlnued.

it,
GAS if mentally blending colors all
the time?''
Eyes; that and-seeing flaws
81 have discovered none" he tod
her brazenly
But again her secret cares wore
claiming her thoughts, and the gray,
inconsequential banter died upon hef
scarlet lips as second time hef
glance ranged away, sounding myster-
ious depths of anxiety.
Provoked. he would have continued
the clatter, 81 have confessed" he per-
sisted. "You know everything of mat
terial interest about me. And your
self?
81 am merely Dorothy Calendar"
she answered.
Nothing more?" He laughed.
.'That is all, if you please, for the
present"
AZ am to content myself with the
promise of the future?"
aThe future" she told him seriously,
as tomorrow; and tomorrow
She moved restlessly in her chair, eyes
and lips pathetic in their distress.
"Please, we will go now, If you are
ready"
~ am quite ready, Miss Calendar.
He rose. A waiter brought the girls
cloak and put it in Kirkwood's hands.
He held it until smoothing the wrists
of her long white gloves, she stood up,
then placed the garment upon her
white young shoulders, troubled by the
indef,nable sense of intimacy impart-
ed by the privilege. She permitted
him this personal service! He felt
that she trusted him, that out of her
gratitude had grown simple and al
most childish faith in his generosity
and considerateness.
AS she turned to go her eyes thank
ed him with an unfathomable glance.
He was again conscious OF that esoter-
ic disturbance in his temples. Puzzled,
hazily Analysing the sensation, he fol-
lowed her to the lobby.
A page brought him his top-coat,
hat and stick; tipping the child from
sheer force of habit, he desired a
gigantic porter impressively ornate in
hotel livery, to call a hanson. To-
gether they passed out into the night,
he and the girl.
Beneath a permanent awning of
steel and glass she waited patiently,
slender, erect, needless Of the atten-
tion she attracted from wayfarers.
The night was young, the air mild
Upon the sidewalk, muddied by mil
lion feet, two streams of wayfarers
flowed necessarily, bound west from
Green Park or east toward Piccadilly
Circus; a well-dressed throng for the
most part, with here and there man
in evening dress. Between the car
riages at the curb and the hotel doors
moved others, escorting fluttering but
terfly women in elaborate toilets,
heads bare, skirts dainty gathered
about their perishable slippers. Here
and there meaner shapes slipped
silently through the crowd, sinister
shadows of the city's proletariat, blot
ting ominously the brilliance of the
scene.
A cab drew in at the block. The por-
ter clapped an arc Of wickerwork over
Its wheel to protect the girls skirts.
She assembled to the seat.
Kirkwood, dropping sixpence in the
porter's palm, prepared to follow; but
hand fell upon his arm, peremptory,
memorable. He faced about, frowning,
to confront a slight, hatchet-faced
man, somewhat under medium height,
dressed in sack suit and wearing u
derby we'll forward over eyes that
were hard and bright
"Mr. Calendar" said the man tense
ly. Il presume I needn't name my
business. I'm from the Yard"
My name is not Calendar"
The detective smiled YEARLY. Don't
be fool, Calendar" he began. But
the porter's hand fell upon his shout.
NJ hn eyio NJ
his mouth close to the others ear.
Kirkwood heard indihtinctly his own
name followed by Calendars, and the
words: Never fear. I'll point him
out"
But the woman?" argued the de-
tective, unconvinced, staring into the
cab.
Am I not at liberty to have lady
dine with me in public restaurant"
interposed Kirkwood, without raising
his voice.
The hard eyes looked him up and
down without favor. Then: BEG
pardon, sir. see my mistake" said
the detective brusquely.
Il am glad you do,' returned Kirk
wood grimly. 81 fancy it, will bear in
vestigation."
He mounted the step eImperial
Theater,' he told the driver, giving
the first address that occurred to him;
1t could be changed For the mo-
ment the main issue was to get the
girl out of the range of the detec-
tive's interest.
He slipped into his place as the
hanson wheeled into the turgid tide
of west-bound traffic.
BY his side the girl moved uneasily
WHO was that man." she inquired.
Kirkwood sought her eyes, and
found them wholly ingenious II
seemed that Calendar had not taken
her into his confidence after all. She
was, therefore, in no way implicated
In her fathers affairs. Inexplicably
the young mans heart felt lighter. "a
mistake; the fellow took me for some
one he knew" he told her carelessly
The assurance satisfied her. She
rested quietly, wrapped up in personal
concerns. Fer companion pensively
contemplated an infinity Of arid and