The San Francisco call., 1909-03-21

as it slowed to halt preparatory to
crossing the bridge.
Then he sought to read his answer
in the eyes of Dorothy. But she was
looking away, staring thoughtfully
out over the billowing sea OF roofs
that merged illusively into the haze
long ere 1t reached the horizon; Kirk
wood could see the pulsing OF the warm
blood in her throat and cheeks; and
the glamorous light that leaped and
waned in her eyes, as the ruddy even
ing sunlight warmed them. was some
thing any man might be glad to live
for and die for And he saw
that she had understood, and grasped
the thread OF meaning that ran through
the clumsy fabric of his hating speech
and his sudden silences.
She had understood without resent
menti
While, incredulous. he wrestled with
the wonder of this fond discovery, she
grew conscious of his gaze. and turned
her head to meet 1t with one fearless
and sweet, II troubled.
Dear Mr.. Kirkwood," she said gen
tly. bending forward as If to read be-
tween the lines anxiety had craven
on his countenance, won't you tell
me, please, what 1t can be that so wor-
ries you? Is it possible that you still
have a fear of my father? But don't
you know that he can do nothing now
now that we're safe? We have only
to take cab at Paddington station,
and then
"You mustn't underestimate the re-
sources and ability of Mr.. Calendar" )"
he told her gloomily; we've got a
chance-no more. 1t wasn't :. :"
He shut his teeth on his unruly tongue
-tpo late.
Woman quick she caught him up. 1T
wasn't that? Then what was 1t that
worried your If it's something that
affects me, is 1t kind and right of you
not to tell me?"
TIT affects us both," he conceded
drearily. Il don't"
The wretched embarrassment of the
confession befogged his wits; he felt
unable to frame the words. He ap-
pealed speechlessly for tolerance, with
a face utterly woebegone and eyes
piteous.
The train began to move slowly
across the Thames to Charing Cross.
Mercilessly the girl persisted. We've
only a minute more. Surely you can
trust me. =. :"
In evaporation he interrupted al
most rude1y. TITS only thiss I'm
strapped"
"Strapped7" She knitted her brows
over this fresh specimen Of American
slang.
Flat trapped-busted-br
my uppers-down and out" he reeled
of synonyms without a smile. 81
haven't enough money to pay cab-fare
across the TOWN."
oh" she interpo1ated, enlightened.
TO say nothing of taking US to
Chiltern. I couldn't buy you a glass of
water II you were thirsty. There isn't
a soul on earth. within hall, who
would trust me with a quarter-I
mean a shilling-across London bridge.
I'm the original Luckless Wonder and
the only genuine Jonah extant."
With face the hue Of fire, he cooked
his eyebrows askew and attempted to
laugh unconcernedly to hide his bitter
shame. 'T've led you out OF the frying
pan into the fire. and 1 don't know
what to dol Please call me names"
And in a single instant all that he
had consistently tried to avoid doing
had been irretrievably done. If, with
dawning comprehension. dismay flick
cred IN her eyes-such dismay as such
a confession can rouse only IN one who,
like Dorothy Calendar has never
known the want OF penny-at was
swiftly driven out TO make place for