Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-01-04

their prosecutors. However" ht
amended, with rising spirits, $50 much
the better our chance Of losing Mr.
Hobbs. We must be ready to drop O
the instant the train stops"
He began to unfold another time
table, threatening again to lose him
self completely. and was thrown into
the utmost confusion by the touch Of
the girls hand, in appeal placed lightly
on his arm. And had she been observ
ant she might have seen second time
his knuckles whiten beneath the Skin
as he asserted his self control, though
this time not over his temper.
His eyes. dumbly eloquent, turned tt
meet hers. She was smiling.
"Pleasew she iterated, with the least
imperative pressure on his hand, push
ing the folder aside.
II beg pardon? he muttered blankly
"Is it quite necessary. now, to study
those schedules? Haven't you decided
to try for the Bruges express?"
"Why, yes. but
"Then please don't leave me to my
thoughts all the time, Mr.. Kirkwood.' u
There was a tremor Of laughter in her
voice, but her eyes were grave and
earnest "I'm very weary Of thinking
round in circle. and that" she con-
cluded. with a nervous little laugh. is
all I've had to do for days."
T'm afraid I'm very stupid" he hu-
mored her.
She watched him. little piqued by
his absentminded mood for moment,
then, and not without a trace Of NAL
ice, Must l tell you again what to
talk about" she asked.
"Forgive me. was thinking about
If not talking to you. I've been Won
dering just why 1t was that you left
the Alethea at Queensborough to go
on by steamer"
And Immediately he was sorry that
his tactless query had swung the con-
versation to bear upon her father, the
thought Of whom could not but prove
painful to her But 1t was too late to
mend matters. Already her evanescent
flush Of amusement had given place to
remembrance.
"It was on my fathers account" she
told him In steady voice, but with
averted eyes. "He Is very poor sail
or, and the promise of rough passage
terrified him. l believe there was a
difference Of opinion about 1t, he dis
putting with Mr.. Mulready and Captain
Stryker. That was just after we lad
left the anchorage. They both insisted
that 1t was safer to continue by the
Alethea, but he wouldn't listen to
them and in the end had his way.
Captain Stryker ran the brigantine
into the mouth Of the Midway and
put us ashore just in time to catch the
steamer"
"Were you sorry for the change"
T?" She shuddered slightly. Hardly!
l think hated the ship from the mo-
ment l set foot on board her. 1t was
dreadful place. It was all nightmar-
ish that night, but 1t seemed most ter
rible on the Alethea with Captain
Stryker and that abominable Mr..
Hobbs. I think that my unhappiness
had as much to do with my fathers
insistence on the change as anything.
He was very thoughtful most Of the
time"
Kirkwood shut his teeth on what he
knew Of the blackguard.
81 don't know why" she continued,
wholly without affectation. "but was
wretched from the moment you left
me In the cab to wait while you went
In to see Mrs. Hallam. And when we
left you at Bermondsey Old Stairs,
after what you had said to me, felt
I hardly know what to say-abandoned
in q way"
"But you were with your father, in
his care"
81 know, but I was getting con.
fused. Until then the excitement had
kept me from thinking. But you made
me think. l began to wonder, to ques-
ton. But what could do?" She sig
nified her helplessness with a quick
and dainty movement Of her hands.
"He is my father, and I'm not yet OF
age, you know"
81 thought so," he confessed, trou-
bled. "It's very inconsiderate OF you.
you must admit"
81 don't understand"
Because of the legal complication.
Pve no doubt your father can have
the law on me- "-Kirkwood laughed
uneasily-"for taking you from his
protection"
"ProtectionW she echoed warmly.
"If you call it that!'
kidnapping" he said thoughtfully.
81 presume that'd be the charge"
"Ohw She laughed the notion to
scorn. Besides, they must catch us
first, mustn't they?"
"Of course, and"-with q stimulation
of confidence sadly deceitful-"they
shan't, Mr.. Hobbs to the contrary not
witbstandlng."
"You make me share your confidence
against my better judgment"
~ wish your better Judgment would
counsel you to share your confidence
with me-" he caught her up. "If you
would only tell me what it's all about,
as far as you know, I'd be better able
to figure out what we ought to do"