Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1909-01-21

out on the river then shot in arrow
like, to the pier beneath Waterloo
bridge.
The deck was crowded and addition
al passengers. embarked at every stop.
In the circumstances conversation,
save on the most impersonal topics,
was impossible: and even had it been
necessary or advisable to discuss the
affair which occupied their minds,
where SO many ears could hear, Calen-
dar had breath enough neither to an
swcr nor to catechize Kirkwood. They
found seats on the forward deck and
rested there in grin, silence. both
fretting under tho enforced restraint,
while the boat darted, like some tllum-
mated and exceptionally, active water
insect, from pier to pier.
AS it suorted beneath London bridge
Calendars jmpatience drove him from,
his seat back to the gangway, Next
stop he told Kirkwood curtly; aud
rested his heavy bull; against the
paddle-box, brooding morosely. un-
til, after an uninterrupted run Of more
than a mile, the steamer swept in,
side-wheels backing water furicusly
against the ebbing tide, to Cherry
Gardens landing.
Sweet name for locality unsavor5
beyond credence! AS they
emerged on the street level and turn,
ed west on Bermondsey Wall, Kirk
wood was faiu to tug his top-coat over
his chest and button it tight. to hide
his linen In a guarded tone he coun-
se1ed his companion to do likewise;
,pl ~ r. I,t o,,1-
uncomprehendiDg stare. acknowledged
the wisdom of the advice with a
gruDt
The very air they breathed was rank
with fetid odors bred of the gaupt dark
warehouses that lined their way: the
lights were few, beneath the looming
buildings the shadows were many and
dense. Here and there dreary and
cheerless public houses appeared, with
lighted windows conspicuous in a
lightless waste From time to time,
as they hurried on, they encounterej,
and made wide detours to escape con
tact with knots of wayfares-men de-
based and begrinned, with dreary and
slatter1lly women, arm in arm, zig
Tagging widely across the sidewalks,
chorusing with sodden voices the bur
den of some popularized ballad. The
cheapened sentimental refrains
echoed sadly between benighted walls.
krkwood shuddered, sticking close
to Calendars side. Lies naked bril-
talities had therefore been largely out
of his ken. He had heard of sluns,
had even ventured to mouth politely
moral platitudes on the subject of
i, ooE of
ulation, but in the darkest flights OF
imagination had never pictured to him,
self anything SO unspeakably foul and
| hopeless as this. And they
were come hither seeking
Calendar He was unable to conceive
what manner of villainy could be di
rected against her, that she must be
looked for In such surroundings.
| After some ten minutes steady
walking. Calendar turned aside with Z
muttered word. and dived down a GOV
cred, dark and evi-smelling passage
way that seemed to lead toward the
river.
| Mastering his involuntary qualms
| Kirkwood followed.
/ Some ten or twelve PAGES from its
entrance the passageway swcrved at
right angle. continuing three yards
or so to end in blank wall, where
from a hickering, inadequate gas lamI
! jutted. At this point stone platform
perhaps four feet square was discov
cred, from the edge of which tligh
| of worn and Shiny stone steps LEI
| down to permanent boat-landing
where another gas light fared gustil,
despite the protection of It's frame q
begrimed glass
Good Lord" exclaimed the youn:
man What in heavens name, Cal
endar-?"
''Bermondsey Old Stairs. Come on.
They descended to the landing
i stage. Beneath them the Pool slept
a sheet Of polished ebony whisperin;
to itself, tapping with small stealth
gurgles angles of masonry and ancien
piles. On the farther bank tall ware
houses reared square old-time heads
their uncompromising rugged profil
relieved here and there by taperin
mastheads A few, scattering, feebl
lights were visible. Nothing move
save the river and the wind.
The landing itself they found quit
deserted; something which the adver
turer comprehended with nod which
like its accompanying. inarticulat
ejaculation. might have been taken
) indicate either satisfaction or DISCUS
He ignored Kirlwood altogether, fe
the time being, and presently produ'
ed a small, bright object, which, al
piled to his lips, proved to be boa
: swains whistle. FIe sounded tW
blasts, one long one brief.
There fell lull, Kirkwood watchin
1 the other and wondering what ne5
would happen, Calendar paced res
lessly to and fro upon the mario
: landing. now stopping to incline a
: ear to catch some anticipated SCUM
: now searching with sweeping glance
4 the black rea aches OF the Pool.
Finally. consulting his watch. "A
| most ten," he announced.
Were in timer
Cant say s. II Damn
If that internal boat would on
:, show up"
V He was lifting the whistle to SOU
a second summons when rowbo
t rounded a projecting angle form'
, NV tIle nnyt ,yarehouSe down Streal