The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-05-20

woman whom he had met under aus
pices so extraordinary Any attempt
to gloze the situation. he felt, would
be futile. And somehow he did not
care to render himself ridiculous In
her eyes. little as he knew her.
namely dumb. be sat watching her.
smiling fatuously, until It was borne in
on him that he was staring like boor
and grinning like an idiot Con-
vinced. he blushed for himself. some
thing which served TO make him more
tongue tied than ever.
As for his Involuntary protegee. she
exhibited such sweet composure that
he caught himself wondering II she
really appreciated the seriousness Of
her parents predicament-if, for that
matter. its true nature were known to
her at all Calendar. he believed. was
capable Of prevarication. polite and
impolite. Had he lied TO his daughter
or to Kirkwoodi To both possibly. to
the former alone not improbably
That the adventurer had told him the
desperate truth Kirkwood was quite
convinced. but he now began to be-
lieve that the girl had been put OF
with some fictitious explanation Her
tranquility and self control were re-
markable otherwise. She seemed very
young to possess those qualities in
such eminent degree.
She was looking wearily past him.
her gaze probing some unguessed
abyss Of thought. Kirkwood felt him.
self privileged to stare IN wonder. Her
naive nloofness Of poise gripped his
imagination powerfully more %
perhaps since II seemed eloquent Of
her invention to remain enigmatic--
but by no means more powerfully than
the unaided appeal Of her loveliness.
Presently the girl herself relieved
the tension Of the situation. fairiy star
tling the young man by going straight
to the heart Of things. without pref
ace or warning. lifting her gaze fc
his. MY name h really Dorothy Cal
endar." she observed And tb1n. not
Ing his astonishment- -You would b
privileged to doubt under the circum
stances" she added, -Piease let Us b
| frank"
"since II IL TO be condolences" (thi,
she questioned with an all but imper
ceptible lifting OF the eyebrows). -
don't mind telling you my own nams
Is really Philip Kirkwood."
-ADd you are an old friend Of my
fathcr'sr"
He opened his lips. but only to clos
them without speaking. The cir
moved her shoulders with shiver o
disdain.
II knew II wasn't so."
"You know II would be hard for .
young man like myself TO be very
old friend" he countered lamely.
How long. then. have you known
each otherY'
-Must ] answerr'
.Please."
Between three and four hours"
81 thought as much.- She stare'
past him. troubled. Abruptly she said
please smoke"
"shsll II II you wish II. Of course
She repeated. "please."
"we were 20 wait ten minutes o.
So" she continued
lie produced his cigarette case.
III you care 20 smoke II VIII seen
an excuse" lie lighted his cigarette
/ "And then you may talk TO me-" sh
concluded calmly.
II would gladly n could gues
what would interest you"
Yourself Tell me about yourself.
abe commanded.
1T would bore you" he responds
tritely. confused.
Il mo. You interest me very much.
she made the statement quietly. con
tcmptuous Of coquctry.
"vcry well. then. am Philip Klrt
wood. an American"
Nothing moreT'
Little worth retaillng.-
.I'm sorry
"whyy" he demanded. piqued.
Because you have merely indicate
thnt you are wealthy American"
why weaithyT'
"if not you would have some aim
life, calling or profession"
"And you think I have noner
"Unless you consider It your VOC
tlon 20 be a wealthy American"
Il don't. Besides. I'm not wealth.
In point Of fact r. He pulled u
short on the verge Of declaring hin
self n paupcr. II am painter"
Her eyes lightened with interes
aAn artlstf"
II hope 40. don't paint slgns--t
houses" be remarked.
Amused. abe laughed softly. Il su
pected H." she declared
"Not resllyr'
"Tt was your way Of looking at
things that made me guess It'll
painters way. have often notic'
H."
~As n mentally blending colcrs q
I "a.