Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-08-10

the water. sopping his handkerchief
until it dripped. Then. returning, he
took the boys head on his knees. wash
ed the wound, purloined another hand
kerchief of silk, with giddy border.
from the others pocket and Of this
manufactured rude but serviceable
bandage.
Toward the conclusion Of his atten-
lions the sufferer began to show signs
Of returning animation. He stirred
restlessly. whimpered little and sigh
ed. And Kirkwood in CONSERVATION
got up.
"So!" he commented ruefully. II
guess am an ass. all right, taking all
that trouble for you. my friend. II
I've got grain Of sense left, this is
my cue to leave you alone in your
glory"
He was lingering only to restore to
the boys pockets such articles as he
had removed in the search for matches
the matchbox, few silver coins,
bulky sovereign purse, handsome
plain gold watch, and so forth. But ere
he concluded he was aware that the
boy was conscious; that his eyes. open
and blinking in the candlelight were
upon him.
They were blue eyes-blue and shall.
low as dolls and edged with long.
fine lashes. Intelligence of a certain
degree was rapidly informing them.
Kirkwood returned their questioning
glance, transtiXed in indecision. His
primal impulse to cut and run for 1t
was gone. He had nothing to fear
from this child. who could not prevent
his going whenever he chose to go.
while by remaining he might per-
chance worm from him something
about Dorothy.
you're feeling better?" He was al.
most surprised to hear his own voice
put the query.
IL think so. Ow, my head! l say,
you chap. whoever you are, what's
happened? want to get up" The
boy added peevishly. "Help fellow,
can't your"
you've had a nasty fall" Kirkwood
observed evenly. passing an arm be
meath the boys shoulder and helping
him to a sitting position. do you re-
member?"
The other snuffled childishly and
scrubbed across the floor to rest his
back against the wall.
"Why-y, remember fallin. and
then l woke up, and it was all dark
and my head achin fit to split. ! pre-
sumo went to sleep again. ! say
what're you ioin' here?"
Instead of replying Kirkwood lifted
warning finger.
"Hushw he said tensely, alarmed b!
noises in the street "You don't sup
pose
He had been conscious of carriage
rolling up from the corner as well al
that it had drawn up presumably be
fore nearby dwelling Now the rat
tie of a key in the hall door was star
tlingly audible. Before he could NOV
! the door itself opened with slam.
Kirkwood moved toward the stair
head and drew back, with cry of dis
gust. TOO late" he told himself bit
terly. His escape was cut Off. IL
could run upstairs and hide, of course
but the boy would inform against hin
| and
He buttoned up his coat. settled hi
: hat on his head and moved near tn
candle, where it rested on the fool
, One glimpse would suffice to show hir
a the force of the intruders and or
I move of his foot put out the ligh1
q then-perhaps-he might be able
! rush them.
. Below brief pause had followe
r the noise of the door, as If those ente
: ing were standing. irresolute. undt
: cded which way to turn, but abrupt
t enough the glimmer of candleligt
S must have been noticed. kirkwoo
d heard hushed exclamation. quic
e clatter of heels on the parquetr
:, pattering feet on the stairs. all bt
d drowned by swish and ripple of silke
Q skirts. and woman stood at the hel
: of the tlight-to the American an al
+ partition profoundly amazing as ST
paused. Tue liSut IRON Tue uool S'e
o ing odd, theatric shadows beneath liz
e eyes and over her brows. edging h,
u eyes themselves with brilliant light b
8 meath their dark lashes. showing b,
II lips straight and drawn and shimme
y ing upon the spangles of an evenir
e gown. visible beneath the dark cloa
o which had fallen back from her whit
J. beautiful shoulders.
h Ito be continuedl