The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-05-13

table they had left. one placed at some
distance from the girl and hidden from
her by nm angle In the wall. It ap-
peared that the third member had
chosen TO daily a few moments over
his tobacco and liqueur brandy.
Klrkwood could see him plainly loung-
Ing In his chair and fumbling the stem
OF a glass. a, heavy man OF somber
habit. his black and sullen brows low
ering and thoughtful above face
boldly handsome
The woman of the trio was worthy
of closer attention. Some PAGES In the
wake OF her lackluster esquire she
was making lelsurely progress. trail
ing the skirts of gown magnificent
beyond dispute. half concealed though
II was by the opera cloak whose soft
folds draped her shoulders. Slowly.
carrying her head high. she approach
ed. insolent eyes reviewing the room
from beneath their heavy lids. metal
lie and mature type OF dark beauty
supremely self confident and self pos
sessed.
Men turned Involuntary to look aft
er her. not altogether In undiluted nd.
miration.
In the act Of passing behind the pu-
tative Calendar she paused momenta-
rily. bending as II TO gather up her
train. Presumably the action disturb
ed her balance. She swayed little
and In the effort 10 recover rested the
tips of her gloved fingers upon the
edge of the table. simultaneously
dirk wood could have sworn, sim
gle word left her lips a word evident.
ly pitched for the err Of the hypotliet-
lcal Calendar alone. Then she swept
ON. iniperturbable. assured.
To the perplexed observer II was In
dubirabiy evident that some commu-
nication had passed from the woman
TO the man Kirkwood saw the fat
shoulders Of the girls companion stiff
en- suddenly as the woman's hand rest
ed nj his elbow. As she moved away
little ripping SILVER was plainly Wis.
ible In the muscles Of his back beneath
his coat. mute token OF relaxing ten.
sion. An instant later one plump and
notified hand was carelessly placed
where thu woman's had been and
was at once removed with fingers
closed
To the girl. watching her face COW
ertly. Kirkwood turned for clew I,
the incident He made no doubt that
she had observed the passage. Proof
of that one found in her sudden star
Ting pallor ,of indignationi, and In bel
eyes. briefly aIight with some inscruta.
BILE emotion. though quickly yelled b.,
lowered lashes Slowly enough she
regained color and composure. while
her vis-a-vts sat motionless. head 10.
clined. rs " IN thought
Abruptly the man turned In his
chair 10 summon waiter aud exposed
his profile Kirkwood was IN nowis..
amazed 10 recognize Calendar-a bad
~ frightened Calendar now. however
and hardly 10 he identified with the
sleek. glib fellow who had interviewed
Kirkwood IN the afternoon His fab
by cheeks were ashen and trembling
and upon the back Of his chair the fat
white fingers were drumming inces-
sanity an InaudIble tattoo OF shattered
nerves
Scared sillyw commented Kirk.
wood. "whyy'
Having spoken to bis waiter. Calen.
dsr for some seconds raked the room
with quick glances. as II seeking an
acquaintance. Presumably disappoint
ed. he swung back TO face the girl,
bending forward TO reach her ears
with accents low pitched and conf
DENTAL. She on her part fell at once
attentive. grave and responsive. Per.
haps dozen sentences passed be
tween them. At the outset her brows
contracted. and she shook her head in
gentle dissent. whereupon Calendars
manner became more imperative
Gradually. unwillingiy. she seemed TO
yield consent. Once she caught her
breath sharply and. Infected By her
companions agitation. sat back. color
fading again In the round young
cheeks.
Kirkwood's walter put IN an mop.
perfume appearance with the bill The
young man paid H. When he looked
up again Calendar had swung square.
~ about In his chair. His eye cncoun.
tered Kirkwood's lie nodded pleas
antly. Temporarily confused. Kirk.
wood returned the nod.
In a twinklIng he bad repented
Calendar had left his chair and was
vending bis way through the tables
toward KIrkwood's Reaching II. he
paused. offering the hand Of genial
fellowship. Kirkwood accepted II half
heartedly twhat else was be to don.
remarking nc the same time that Cal.
endar had recovered much Of his com
posture. There was now normal col.
oring In the heavily jowled counte.
nance. with less CLINT Of fear In the
quick. dark eyes, and Calendars hand
even II moist and cold, no longer trem.
bled. Furthermore. II was immediate.
~ demonstrated that his impotence
had not deserted him.
why. Kirkwood, my dear fellowr'
he crowed. not 20 loudly as to attract
attention, but IN a tone assumed q