Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-01-25

- tighten beneath the gloves;
otherwise her mouth seemed to grow
more straight and hard.
"Dorothy" cried the adventurer,
with a touch Of displeasure. "You
heard me?"
81 heard you." she replied a little
wearily, more than little contemptu'
pusly. Don't mind him. please. Mr.
Kirkwoodw with an appealing ges
ture, as Kirkwood. unable to contain
himself. moved restlessly in his chair.
threatening to rise. Don't say any
thing. have no intention whatever
of going with this man."
Calendars features twitched nerv'
ously. He chewed a corner Of his
mustache. fixing the girl with a black
stare. ~ presume" he remarked. aft
er moment. with slow Geliberation,
you're aware that as your father ]
am in position to compel you to &C
company me-"
~ shall not go with you." iterated
Dorothy In level tone. "You may
threaten me. butt shall not go. Mr..
Brentwick and Mr.. Kirkwood are TAX
Ing me to-friends. who will give me a
home until can find way to take
care Of myself. That Is all l have to
say to you"
"Bravo, my dearw cried Brentwick
sncouragingly.
mind your business, sir!" thundered
Calendar, his face darkening. then
to Dorothy, You understand. l trust.
what this meansT he demanded. 81
offer you home. and a good one. Re
fuse and you work for your living
my girl! You've forfeited your leg
acy"-
II know, know" she told him In
cold disdain. Il am content. Won't
you be kind enough to leave me
aloneT'
For breath Calendar glowered over
her. Then, II presume" he observed
"that all these heroics are inspired by
that whippersnapper Kirkwood. d"
you know that he hasn't brass far
thing to bless himself with?
what has that cried the girl In
dignantly.
"Why, 1t has everything to do with
me, my child. AS your doting parent
can't consent to your marrying moth
Ing year, for surmise you Intend t.
marry this Mr.. Kirkwood, don't you!
There followed a little interval OF
silence, while the warm blood fame
In the girls face and the red lip.
trembled as she faced her tormentor
Then, with quaver that escaped he
control, IF Mr.. Kirkwood asks me
SHALL" she stated very simply.
"That," interposed Kirkwood. 81
completely understood" His gaze
sought her eyes, but she looked away
"You forget that am your father,
sneered Calendar, land that you are a
minor. l can refuse my consent"
"But you won't" Kirkwood told him
with assurance.
The adventurer stared. NO." he
agreed after slight hesitation; mo. ]
shan't interfere. Take her. my boy. If
you want her, and fathers blessing
into the bargain. The Lord knows I've
troubles enough. A parents lot Is moi
what It's cracked up to be-" He
paused, leering, ironic. But" delib,
erately, there's still this other mat
ter of the gladstone bag. don't mind
abandoning my parental authority
when my child's happiness is concern
ed, but as for my property
1T Is not your property" interrupted
the girl.
at was your mothers, dear child.
It's now mine"
81 dispute that assertion" Kirkwood
put in.
"You may dispute 1t till the cows
come home, my boy. The fact will re.
main that I intend to take my property
with me when l leave this room,
whether you like 1t or not. Now, are
you disposed to continue the argument,
or may l count on your being sensi-
bier"
"You may put away your revolver. II
that's what you mean." said Kirkwood
I'VE certainly shan't oppose you with
violence, but I warn you that Scotland
Yard
"0t, that be blowedi' the adventur.
er snorted in disgust. 81 can sail cir.
cles round any tee that ever blew out
| Of Scotland Yardi Give me an hours
start and you're free to do all the
funny business you've mind to with
Scotland YardP
..Then you admit" queried Brent
wick civilly. "that you've no legal title
| to the jewels In disputeT
"Look here. my friend" chuckled
/ Calendar; when you catch me admit