Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-07-13

e MS PRONE lNltk WOOD WlS Ill iloNlS'
I amazed to recognize Calendar-a bad.
ly frightened Calendar now however
and hardly to be identified with this
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 sily!" commented Kirk.
wood. "Why?"
Having spoken to his waiter, Calen-
dar for some seconds raked the room
with quick glances, rs If seeking an
acquaintance. Presumably disappoint-
III. he swung back to face the girl,
lending forward to reach her ears
with accents low pitched and conf
DENTAL. She on her part fell Mt 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, unwillingly, 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
checks
Kirkwood's waiter put in an mop
FORTUNE appearance with the bill. The
: ,oung man paid it. When he looked
up again Calendar had swung square
~ about in his chair. HIS eye encoun-
tered Kirkwood's. He nodded pleas
antly. Temporarily confused. Kirk
wood returned the nod.
In twinkling he had repented.
Calendar had left his chair and was
vending his way through the tables
coward Kirkwood's. Reaching 1t, he
paused, offering the hand Of genial
fellowship. Kirkwood accepted 1t half
u heartedly (what else was he to DOB,
remarking at 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 if moist and cold, no longer trem-
:, bled Furthermore, 1t was Immediate
ly demonstrated that his impudence
had not deserted him.
= why, Kirkwood, my dear fellowl"
he crowed, not SO loudly as to attract
attention, but in tone assumed to
j. divert suspicion, should he be over
, heard. This is great luck. you know,
4 to find you here"
us it?" returned Kirkwood coolly
9 He disengaged his fingers.
n The pink plump face was contorted
in furtive grimace Of depreciation
n Without waiting for permission Calen
, dar dropped into the vacant chair.
= MY dear SIR" he proceeded, un
!, abashed, II throw myself upon you
+ mercy"
l. 1.-The devil you dol"
q II must Pm in the deuce of hole
and there's no one l know here be-
It sides yourself. II
, Kirkwood saw fit to lead him on
a partly because out Of the corner Of his
,, eye he was aware Of the girls uncon
d cealed suspense. go on, please, Mr.
: Calendar You throw yourself on {
IS total strangers mercy because you're
n in the deuce of a hole, and
e Its this way. Pm called Gay OF
Ie urgent business-imperative lp.ness
n must go at once. My daughter is
D. with me-my daughter! Think Of IN.
ID embarrassment. l cannot leave he
II here alone, nor can I permit her to &
Y. home unprotected"
e. Calendar paused in anxiety.
m That's easily remedied then" sug
n gested Kirkwood.
v "How?"
ce Put her in cab at the door,"
mo. The devil! couldn't think o
~ it. You won't understand. p
lie Il do not understand" amended tn
10 younger mar politely.
IL Calendar compressed his lips nerv
ut ously. 1t was plain that the man wa
III quivering with impatience and hal
IT mad with excitement. He held quie
y. only long enough to regain his sci
b. control and take counsel with his pru
m dence.
H. ut Is impossible, Mr.. Kirkwood.
ty must ask you to be generous and be
IS lieve me-"
Every we'll. For the sake of the al
t. gument do believe you. Mr.. Caller
d. dar.'
Swiftly. stammering in his haste
u II can't let Dorothy accompany me
a. the door," declared Calendar. "She-
er IL throw myself upon your mercyW
- "What, again3"
ne 1.-The truth-the truth is. If you wi
10 have 1t, that am in danger Of arrel
ne the moment leave here. II my daugl
Wy ter is with me she will have to endul
III the shame and humiliation
IT. 'Then why place her in such pos
et- tionT Kirkwood demanded sharply.
PIT Calendars eyes burned, incandescel
with resentment. Offended, he offert
IN to rise and go, but changed his mir
lu- and sat tight in hope.
nm Il beg Of you. SIR
at Zone moment, Mr.. Calendar
VT Abruptly Kirkwood's weathercot
ST. humor shifted, amusement yielding
ay intrigued interest. After all, why n
ls- oblige the fellow? What did anythir
TN matter now? What harm could Wis
en- him If he yielded to this corpulent a
nd venturer's inslstence2 Besides, the
'eo was the girl to be considered.
no Kirkwood considered her forthwith
ers In the process thereof his eyes soug
her, perturbed. Their glances clashe
ov- She looked away hastily. crimson