Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-10-19

Mr.. Calendar drew his own infer
ences from the response and mustere,
up a show of cheerfulness. ~Thel
you're not completely wiped loutT
ITO the contrary, l was hoping yo'
were less unhappy"
"Oh, then you are?"
Klrkwood lifted the cable messag,
from the mantel. II have just heart
from my partner at home." he said
with a faint smile. and quoted: "'Ev
erything gone. No Insurance.
Mr.. Calendar pursed his plump lips
whistling inaudibly. TOO bad, TOT
bad! he murmured sympatheticaily
Were all hard hit. more or less" Fl,
lapsed into detected apathy. from
which Kirkwood, growing at length
impatient. found It necessary to rouse
him.
"You wished to see me about some
thing else, I'm sure"
Mr.. Calendar started from his rev
erie. "Eh? l was dreaming. I bef
pardon. 1t seems hard to realize. Mr.
Kirkwood, that this awful catastrophe
has overtaken our beloved metropolis.
The canting phrases wearied Kirk
wood. Abruptly he cut in: "Would
a sovereign help you out. Mr.. Calen
dar? I don't mind telling you that's
about the limit Of my present re-
sources"
"Pardon me-" Mr.. Calendars moon.
like countenance darkened. He as
sumed a transparent dignity. you
misconstrue my motive. SIR"
"Then I'm sorry"
81 am not here to borrow. On the
other hand, quite by accident discov'
cred your name upon the register
downstairs, good old Frisco name,
II you will permit me to say so. ]
thought to myself that here was a
chance to help fellow countrymanT
Calendar paused lrterrogatively. Kirk.
wood remained interested. but silent.
"If a passage across would help you
IL think 1t might be arranged" STAN.
mered Calendar, III at ease.
ut might" admitted Kirkwood spec
ulatively.
81 could fix 1t so that you could go
over-first class, Of course-and pay
your way, so to speak. by rendering
US. me and my partner, triflins serv'
Ice"
"Ahw
"In fact" continued Calendar. warm
ing up to his theme. there might be
something more in it for you than the
passage if-if you're the right man.
the man I'm looking for"
"That, Of course, is the question"
"Eh" Calendar pulled up suddenly
in a full winged fight Of enthusiasm
Kirkwood eyed him steadily 81
said that 1t IS question. Mr.. Ca!cn-
dar. whether or not I am the man
you're looking for. Between you and
me and the fredogs, don't believe
am. Now. II you wish to name ycur
quid pro quo. this trlflng service I'm
to render In recognition Of your benev
olence. you may"
"Ye-es," slowly. But the speaker dc
layed his reply until he had surveyed
his host from head to foot with n
glance both critical and appreciative.
He saw man In height rather less
than the stock size six feet so much In
demand by tho manufacturers Of mod
ern heroes Of fction-a man a Bit
round shouldered, too, but otherwise
sturdlly built. self contained. well
groomed.
Kirkwood wears boys honest face
No one has ever called him handsome.
A few prejudiced persons have decided
that he has an interesting counte.
nance. The propounders Of this verdict
have been. for the most part. feminine.
Kirkwood himself has been heard to
declare that bis features do not fit. In
It's essence the statement Is true. hut
there Is very real. If undetiDable.
engaging quality in their very irregu.
larity Ills eyes are brown, pleasant.
set wide apart. straightforward Of ex-
preston.
Now, 1t appeared that. whatever his
motive, Mr.. Calendar had acted upon
impulse In sending his card up to
Kirk wood At all events. this Calen-
dar proved not lacking in penetration
Men Of his stamp are commonly en-
dowed with that quality to an eminent
degree. Not slow to reckon the cali
ber Of the man before him. the leaven
of intuition began to work In his adj.
pose intelligence. He owned himself
bafiied.
Thanks" he concluded pensively; 81
reckon you're right. You won't do.
after all. I've wasted your time-mine
too"
Don't mention It."
Calendar got heavily out Of his chair.
reaching for his hat and umbrella.
"Permit me to apologize for an un'
warrantable intrusion, Mr.. Kirkwood."
He faltered. A worried and calculating
look shadowed his small eyes. II was
looking for some one to serve me in
a certain capacity
Certain or questionable" PROFOUND
ed Kirkwood blandly. opening the door
Pointedly Mr.. Calendar ignored the
"Sorry disturbed you
G'dafternoon, Mr.. Kirkwood."
"Goodby, Mr.. Calendar" A smile
twitched the corners Of Kirkwood's
too wide mouth.
Calendar stepped hastily out into
the hall Kirkwo closed the door
and the incident simultaneously with
a smart bang Of fnality. Laughing
quietly, he went back to the window.
with it's dreary outlook. now the drear-
Ter for lengthening evening shadows.
81 wonder what his game Is. any.
way. An adventurer. Of course. The
woods are full Of 'em. A queer fish,
even Of his kind. And with a trick
up his sleeve as queer and fshy as
himself, no doubt"