The San Francisco call., 1909-03-14
C0lZ99YT


Nesting her head In a corner OF the
dingy cushions. was smiling ever more
drowstly on Kirkwood. and presently
she slept IN good earnest, the warm
blood ebbing and flowing beneath the
exquisite texture of her cheeks. the
ghost OF an unconscious smile quiv-
ering about the sensitive scarlet
mouth. the breeze through the open
window at her side .wantOning at Will
in the sunlit witchery OF her hair
And Kirkwood. worn with sl6epless
watching, dwelt in longing upon the
dear, innocent allure OF her until the
ache in his heart had grown well
nigh insupportable; then instinctively
turned his gaze upward, searching his
heart, reading the faith and desire OF
it. so that at length knowledge and
understanding came TO him, OF his
weakness and strength and the clean
love that he bore for her. and glad
dened he sat dreaming in waking the
same clear dreams that modelled her
unconscious lips secretly for laughter
and the joy OF living.
When Dunkerque halted their prog
ress. they were obliged to alight and
change. cars-Hobbs a discreetly sinis-
ter shadow at the end Of the platform.
BY schedule they were to arrive in
Calais about the middle OF the fore
noon. with a wait Of three hours to be
bridged before the departure of the
Dover packet. That would be an
anxious time; the prospect Of 1t rem
dered both Dorothy and KirkwoOd
doubly anxious throughout this hnal
stage OF their flight. In three hours
anything could happen. or be brought
about. Neither could forget that II
was quite within the bounds OF possi-
bilities for Calendar to be awaiting
them in Calais Presuming that Hobbs
had been acute enough to guess their
1-~f- = - - N~T
graph. the latter could readily have
anticipated their arrival. whether by
sea in the brtgantine or by land. TAX
ing the direct route via Brussels and
Lille. If such proved to be the case, 1t
were scarcely sensible TO count upon
the arch adventurer contenting himself
with a waiting role like Hobbs.
With such unhappy apprehensions
for stimulant, between them the man
and the girl contrived a makeshift
counter-Stratagem. or 1t were more ac-
curate to say that Kirkwood proposed
1t. while Dorothy rejected. disputed
and at length accepted 1t. albeit with
sad misgivings. For It involved a
separation that might not prove tenn
porary.
Together they could never escape thu
surveillance OF Mr.. Hobbs: parted, he
would be obliged to follow one or the
other. The task OF misleading the
delegating to the girl the duty OF
escaping when he could provide her
the opportunity, OF keeping under
cover until the hour Of sailing, and
then proceeding to England. with the
gladstone bag. alone If Kirkwood was
unable or thought it inadvisable, to
join her on the boat.
In furtherance OF this design q ma
jority OF the girls belongings were
transferred from her travelling bag to
Kirkwood's, the gladstone taking their
place; and the young man provided
her with voluminous instructions, a
revolver. which she did not know
how 10 handle and declared she
would never use for any con-
sideration. and enough money to
pay for her accommodation at the Ter
minus hotel. near the pier, and for two
passages to London. 1t was agreed
that she should secure the steamer
booking. lest Kirkwood be delayed until
the last moment.
These arrangements concluded, the
pair of blessed idiots sat steeDed IN mel
ancholy silence, avoiding each. others
eyes. until the train drew in at the Care
Centrale, Calais.
In profound silence, too. they left
their compartment and passed through
the station into the quiet. sun drenched
streets Of the seaport, Hobbs lowering
solicitously in the of1ng.
Without comment or visible relief OF
mind they were aware that their fears
had been without apparent foundation;
they saw no sign Of Calendar. Stryker
OF Mulready. The circumstance. how
ever, counted for nothing; one or all of
the adventurers might arrive in Calais
at any minute.
Momentarily more miserable as the
time Of parting drew nearer, dumb with
unhapptness, they turned aside from the
main thoroughfares OF the city. leaving
the business section. and gained the
sleepier side streets bordered by the
residences OF the proletariat. where for
blocks none but children were to be
seen, and OF them but few-quaint. so
Der little bodies playing almost noise-
lessly IN their 6ooryards.
At length Kirkwood spoke.
Lets make II the corner" he said.
without looking at the girl Its a
short block to the next street. You
hurry to the Terminus and lock your
self in your room Have the manage
ment book both passages; don't run the
risk OF going to the pier yourself. I'll
make things interesting for Mr.. Hobbs
and join you as soon as I can. il can"
You must" replied the girl. II
shan't go without YOU"
But. Dor-Miss Calendar he ex-
claimed, aghast.
II don't care-I know I agreed" she
can't. Remember, shall wait for you"
But-perhaps-
1T you haYe to stay 1t will be be-
cause there's danger-won't it? And
what would you think OF me IL de-
serted you then. af-after all y-you've
done7 +. Please don't waste time
arguing. Whether you come at today,
tomorrow or week from tomorrow,
shall be waiting You may be-
gure. Goodby."
They had turned the corner, walking
slowly. side by side. Hobbs for the
first time caught or his guard, had
dropped behind more than half long
block But now Kirkwood's quick side
ling glance discovered the mate IN the
act OF taking alarm and quickening his
pace None the less. the American was
ut the time barely conscious OF any
thing other than a wholly unexpected
turtive pressure Of the girls gloved IN
gers on his own.
"GoQdby." she whispered.
He caught at her hand. protesting.
'Dorothyi"-
'Goodby.' she repeated breathIess1y,
with a queer little catch in her voice