Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-10-22

a 4 laugh of fine drawn nerves.
Good God. sir!" he cried. You
don't know
81 can surmise," interrupted the
elder man shrewdly.
You turned up in the nick of time.
for all the world like
Harlequin popping through stage
trap?"
Moan incarnation of the provi-
dence that watches over children and
FOOLS"
Brentwick dropped calming hand
upon his shoulder. "Your simile seems
singularly happy. Philip. Permit me
to suggest that you join the child in
my study" He laughed quietly, with
a slight nod toward an open door at
the end of the hallway. For myself,
I'll be with you in one moment"
A faint. indulgent smile lurking in
the shadow of his white mustache, he
watched the young man wheel and
dart through the doorway. Young
hearts," he commented audibly and
trace sadly. Youth"
Beyond the threshold of the study
Kirkwood paused. eager eyes search
ing it's somber shadows for a sign of
Dorothy.
BY the fireplace. little to one side,
she stood. one small foot resting on
the brass fender. her figure merging
into the dusky background. her deli
cate beauty gaining an effect of elu-
sive and ethereal mystery in the wan
ing and waxing rudy glow upfiung'
from the bedded Goals.
"Oh. Philip" She turned swiftly to
low. broken cry. I'm so glad"
A trace of hysteria in her manner
warned him, and he checked himself
upon the verge of a too dangerous ten
derness. "There!" he said soothingly,
letting her hands rest gently in his
palms while he led her to a chair.
I'VE can make ourselves easy now"
She sat down, and he released her
hands with reluctance less evident
than actual. IF ever | say another
word against my luck
"Who." inquired the girl, lowering
the lowered dressing down.
"Brentwick- George Sylvester Brent
wick, an old friend. I've known him
for years. ever since | came abroad.
Curiously enough. however. this is the
first time I've ever been here. | called
once, but he wasn't ina few days ago
the day we met thought the place
4
Philip" said the girl, with a grave
face, but shaking voice. lit was
she laughed provokingly- was sc
funny, Philip. don't know why
ran when you told me to. but l did
And while ran l was conscious of
the front door here opening and this
tall man in the lowered dressing
gown coming down to the gate as il
1t were the most ordinary thing in
the world for him to stroll out dressed
that way in the evening. And he
opened the gate and bowed and said
ever so pleasantly, Won't you come
in, Miss Calendar|"
He did" exclaimed Kirkwood. "Bu
how
How can say?' she expostulated
"At all events. he seemed to know me
and when he added something about
calling you in, too-he said Mr.. Kirk
wood didn't hesitate
Its strange enough. surely, and for
tunate. Bless his heart.' said Kirk
wood.
And HUM" said Mr.. Brentwicl
considerably. entering the study. II,
had discarded the dressing gown ant
was now in evening dress.
The girl rose. Kirkwood turned
Mr.. Brcntwick"- he began.
But Brentwick begged his patience
with an eloquent gesture and rang tn,
bell.
A soft footed butler. impassive a!
Fate. materialiZed mysteriously in tn,
doorway.
you rang. sir?" he interrupted frig
idly.
"If any one should ask for me Tn
not at home"
Very good. sir"
And if you should see pair Of dis
reputable scoundrels skulliing in tn,
neighborhood, one short and stout tn,
other tall and evidently seafarin:
man, let me know"
"Thank you. sir" A moment late
the front door was heard to close
Brentwick turned with Il little bow
to the girl. My dear Miss Calendar
he said. rubbing his thin, fine hands
II am old enough. l trust. to call yo,
such without offense-please be seat
ed"
would you mind telling us how yov
knew began Kirkwood nnxionsly.
. Not in the least, my dear Philip.
is simple enough. l possess an imag
nation. From my bedroom window
] on the floor above, l happen to behol
two cabs racing down the street. tn
| one doggedly pursuing the other. Th
| foremost stops, perforce Of fagge
horse. There alights young gentle
man looking, if you'll pardon me, III
| commonly seedy. He is followed b
| a young lady. if she will pardon me,
with another little bow. "uncommonl
pretty
| Brentwick removed his glasses. rul
bed them and blinked thoughtfully a
the girl. "Aly dear" he said suddenl.
with a peculiar tremor in his voic,
you resemble your mother remark;
bly,. Tut should know! Time wa
when l was one of her most arder
admirers"
"You-y-you knew my mothcrY' erie
Dorothy, profoundly moved
did l not know you at sight? NJ
| dear Won are your mother reincornoi