Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-09-28
}y Louis Joseph Vance
copyrieht. 1908. by the Bobbs Merrill Co.

she nodded. with faint, puzzled
smile that included the woman. After
lttle-not Immediately. Mrs. Hal
lam is so kind''-
Pardon me-" he interrupted, but
tell me one thing, please. Have you
any one in England to whom you can
go without invitation and be welcomed
and cared for-any friends or rela-
tions?"
Dorothy will be with me-" Mrs.
Hallam answered for her. with cold
defiance.
Deliberately insolent, Kirkwood
turned his back to the woman. Miss
Calendar, will you answer my question
for yourself?' he asked the girl point
edly.
why. yes, several friends-none in
London. but
Dorothy
"One moment, Mrs. Hallam," Kirk
wood flung crisply over his shoulder.
Pm going to ask you something rath-
er odd. Miss Calendar" he continued,
seeking the girls eyes. II hope
Dorothy, p
IF you please, Mrs. Hallam," sug-
gested the girl. with just the right
shade of independence, Il wish to
listen to Mr.. kirkwood He has been
very kind to me and has every right"
She turned to him again, leaving the
woman breathless and speechless with
anger.
fol - II iplyy
tinued quickly and. he felt, brazenly
that you considered me kind, thought
full and considerate You know me nc
better today than you did then, but
want to beg you to trust me little
Can you trust yourself to my protec
ton until we reach your friends ii
England"
why, p the girl faltered, taker
by surprise.
mir. Kirkwood!' cried Mrs. Hallan
angrily. finding her voice.
Ilirkwood turned to meet her on
slaught with mien grave, determined
unflinching. please do not interfere
madam" he said quietly.
You are impertinent. sir! Dorothy
forbid you to listen to this person!"
The girl flushed, lifting her chin ;
; trifle. .Forbid?" she repeated wonder
. ingly.
: Kirkwood was quick to take advan
tage of her resentment. Mrs. Italian
, is not fitted to advise you," he insisted
nor can she control your actions.
, must already have occurred to 20
that you're rather out Of place in tn
present circumstances. Yhe men VIII
have brought you hither l believe 20
already see through to some extern
Forgive my speaking plainly. But tina
is why you have accepted Mrs. Ha
{ lam's offer of protection. Will 70
: take my word for it when l tell yo
she has not your right interests {
+ heart, but the reverse? l happen
know, Miss Calendar, and p
"How dare you, sir?"
Flaming with rage. Mrs. Hallam pr
j herself bodily between them. confron
: ing Kirkwocd in white Tipped desper
u ton, her small gloved hands clinche
and quivering at her sides, her gree
9 eyes dangerous.
But Ilirkwood could silence her. an
he did. do you wish me to spea
! frankly, madam? Do you wish me
: tell what l know and all know
Il With rising emphasis, "of your soci
u status and your relations with Gale
J. dar and Mulready? | promise you TIL
1t if you wish it or force me to it,
- But he had need to say nothing flu
+ ther. The woman's eyes wavered b
!. fore his, and little sob of terror force
u itself between her shut teeth. kir
u wood smiled grimly, with a face
p brass. impenetrable, infeXible. Al
suddenly she turned from him with i
u different bravado.
" LAS Mr. kirkwood says Dorothy
she said in her high metallic voice,
have no authority over you But
d. you're silly enough to consider for
is moment this fellows insulting sugge
ol ton. if you're fool enough to go wi
OF him unchaperoned through Europe a
III imperil your
Mrs. Hallam!" Kirkwood cut h
u short, with menacing tone.
IN -''why. then. | wash my hands
X you," concluded the woman defiant
e make your choice. my child S
nc added. with meaning laugh. a