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

after-glow of drenched sunset lay
like wash of rose-madder Picca-
dilly's asphalt shone like watereG
silk. black and lustrous, rejecting a
| myriad lights in vibrant ribbons OIL
party-colored radiance. On every
hand cab-lamps danced like frefiies;
the rumble of wheels blended with the
hollow pounding Of uncounted hoofs.
merging insensibly into the deep and
| solemn roar of Londontown.
Suddenly Kirkwood was recalled to
a sense of duty by glimpse of Hyde
Park Corner. He turned to the girl
Il didn't know where you wished to
60"
She seemed 10 realize his meaning
| with surprise, as one, whose thoughts
have strayed afar, recalled to an i'm
perative world.
"Ob, did forget? Tell him please
to drive to Number Nine, Frognall
Street, Bloomsbury
Kirkwood poked his cane through
the trap, repeating the address. The
cab wheeled smartly across Piccadilly
swing into Half Moon street and
thereafter made better time. darling
! briskly down abrupt vistas of shining
pavement, walled in by blanl-visaged
houses, or round two sides Of one OF
London's innumerable private parks,
wherein spring foliage glowed a ten
der green in artificial light; now and
| again it crossed brilliant main arteries
of travel, and eventually emerged from
maze of backways into Oxford
street, to hammer eastwards to Tot
tenham Court Road.
Constraint hung like a curtain be-
tween the two; silence which the
young man forbore to moderate, find
ing more delight that he had cared
Cor dared) confess to. in contempla-
ton of the pure girlish profile so
close to him.
She seemed quite unaware of him,
lost in thought. large eyes sober, lips
serious that were fashioned for laugh
ter, round little chin firm with some
occult resolution 1t was not hard to
fancy her nerves keyed to high pitch
Of courage and determination. nor
easy to guess for what reason. Watch
ing always, keenly sensitive to the
beauty of each salient line betrayed
by the flying light, Kirkwood's own
consciousness lost itself in a profit
less, even a perilous labyrinth of con-
lecture.
The cab stopped. Both occupants
came to their senses with q little start.
The girl leaned out over the apron.
recognized the house she sought, in
one swift glance, testified to the recog-
milton with hushed exclamation, and
began to arrange her skirts. Kirk
wood, unheeding her faint-hearted pro-
tests, jumped out, interposing his cane
between her skirts and the wheel
Simultaneously he received a vivid
mental photograph Of the locality.
Frognall street proved to be one Of
those by-ways, short block in
length, which, hemmed in on all sides
by meaner purlieu, has (even in
BloomsburyD escaped the sordid COM
mercial eye of the keeper Of furnish
ed lodgings, retaining jealousy some
thing Of the old-time dignity and re-
| serve that were its pride in the days
before Society swarmed upon Mayfair
and Belgravia.
Its houses doomed tall, with many
windows, mostly ightness-materiall
aggravating that air Of isolate, cold
dignity which distinguishes the Eng
lishman's castle Here and there
stood one less bedraggled than its
neighbors, though all, without excep-
ton, spoke assertively Of respectable
ty down-at-the-heel but fighting ten
aciously for existence. Some, van
guards of that imminent day when the
boarding house should reign supreme,
wore with shamefaced air p1acards o.
estate-agents, advertising their sus-
ceptibillity to sale or lease. In the
company of the later was Number 8.
The American noted the circum-
stance subconsciously, at a moment
when Miss Calendars hand, small as
child's, warm and compact in it's
white glove lay in his own. And then
she was on the sidewalk, her face, up
turned to his, vivacious with excite
ment.
you have been so kind" she told
him warmly, that one hardly knows
how to thank you, Mr. Kirkwood.'
Il have done Notwithstanding at
| all, ;" he mumbled, disturbed by a sud
den. unreasoning alarm for her.
She passed quickly to the shelter OF
the pillared portico He followed
clumsily. On the doorstep she turn
ed, offering her hand He took and
retained it.
Good night" she said.
I'm to understand that I'm dis
missed, then?" he stammered rue
fully.
She evaded his eyes. 'I-thank you
i have no further need"
You are quite sure? Won't you be-
lieve me at your service?'
She laughed uneasily. I'm all
right now
Il can do nothing more? Sure?"
Nothing. But you--you make me
almost sorry can't impose still furth-
er upon your good nature"
Please don't hesitate :"
aren't YOU very persistent, Mr..
| Kirkwood?" Her fingers moved in
his; burning with the reproof, he re.
| leased Them and turned to her so
woebegone countenance that she re.
pented of her severity. Don't worry
about me, please. l am truly safe
now. Some day hope to be able
| to thank you adequately. Good night"