Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1909-05-27
CHAPTER l.

AFTERNOON in the year of grace
1906 the apprehensions of
- Philip kirkwood, Esq, paint
er, were enlivened by the discovery
that he was occupying that singularly
distressing social position which may
be summed up succinctly In phrase
through long usage grown proverbial,
"alone in London" Inevitably an ex-
tremist because of his youth (he had
just turned twenty-five, he took no
count Of mitigating matters and would
hotly have resented the suggestion
that his case was anything but alto
gether deplorable and forlorn
That he was not actually at the end
of his resources went for nothing. He
held the distinction a bubble, mock
ingly immaterial, like the store of
gufneas In his pocket, too insignificant
for mention when contrasted with his
needs. And his base of supplies, the
American city Of his nativity, whence,
and not without glow Of pride in his
secret heart he was wont to register
at foreign hostelries. had been arbi-
trarily cut of from him by one Of
those accidents sardonically classified
by insurance and express corporations
as acts Of God.
Now, to one who has lived all his
days serenely In accord with the die
tates of his own sweet will, taking no
thought for the morrow, such a stu
alton naturally seems both appalling
and intolerable, at the first blush. 1t
must be confessed that, to begin with,
Kirkwood drew a long and disconso-
late face over his fix.
Then he resolutely shrugged 1t off
and went in search of mans most
the which, when found and filed, he
lighted with a spill twisted from the
envelope of cable message.
ITS about time," he announced,
watching the paper blacken and burn
in the CRATE fire. that l was doing
something to prove my title to a liv-
Ing" And this was all his valedictory
to a vanished competence. Anyway,
I'm a sight better of than those poor
devils over there. l really have a
great deal to be thankful for now that
my attentions drawn to it,
For the ensuing few minutes he
thought it all over, soberly, but with
stout heart, standing at window of
his bedroom in the Hotel Pless, hands
deep in trousers pockets. pipe Tuning
unanimously, his gaze wandering out
over blurred infnitude of wet, shin
ing roofs and sooty chimney pots.
There came rapping at the door.
Kirkwood removed the pipe from be-
tween his teeth long enough to say
''Come In. pleasantly.
The knob was turned, and the door
opened. Kirkwood, swinging on one
heel. beheld, hesitant upon the thresh-
old, diminutive figure in the livery
Of the Pless pages.
"Mr. Kirkwood?"
Kirkwood nodded.
Gentleman to see you, SIR"
Kirkwood nodded again, smiling
''Show him up, please" he said, but
before the words were fairly out of
his mouth man stepped into the
room.
"Mr. Brentwickv' Kirkwood almost
6nouted, jumping IorWaru TO seize his
visitors hand
my dear boyv' replied the latter.
"1'm delighted to see you. Got your
note not an hour ago and came at once
you see."
at was mighty good of you. Sit
down, please. Here are cigars. Why,
a moment ago l was the most miser-
able and lonely mortal on the foot
stool"
81 can fancy" The elder man looked
up, smiling, at Kirkwood. 1.-THE man.
agement knows me-" he offered ex-
PLANTATION of his unceremonious appear
ance, $50 | took the liberty of following
on the heels of the bell hop, dear boy.
And how are you? Why the anxious
undertone | detected in your note?"
He continued to stare curieusly into
kirkwood's face. At a glance this
Mr.. Brentwick was man of tallish
figure and rather slender, with coun.
tenance thin and flushed sensitive
pink. out of which his eyes shone
keen, alert, humorous and a trace
wistful behind his glasses. His years