Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-01-18

horse. There alights young gentle
man looking, If you'll pardon me, un
commonly seedy. He Is followed by
young lady. If she will pardon me,
with another little bow, "uncommonly
pretty"
Brentwick removed his glasses, rub
bed them and blinked thoughtfully al
the girl. "My dear" he said suddenly
with a peculiar tremor in his voice
you resemble your mother remarka
bly,. Tut-I should know! Time was
when was one of her most ardent
| admirers"
"You-y-you knew my motherT cried
Dorothy, profoundly moved.
Did l not know you at sight? My
dear, you are your mother reincarnate
for the good Of an unworthy world
She was a very beautiful woman, my
dear"
But you will tell me-
"A> number Of interesting things
Miss Calendar, If you'll be good enough
to let me choose the time. / beg yor
to be patient with the idiosyncrasies Of
an old man who means no harm, who
has a reputation as an eccentric to sus
tain before his servants. And now,
said Brentwick-"now, my dear boy
for the adventure"
Kirkwood chuckled, infected by his
hosts genial humor. How do YOU
know
How can 1t be otherwise" coun
tered Brentwick, with trace of asper
ity. "Am l to be denied my adven
ture? Sir, refuse without equivoca
ton. Your very bearing breathes Of
romance. There must be an adventure
forthcoming, Philip; otherwise my dis
appointment will be so acute that
shall be regretfully obliged seriously
to consider my right as a householder
to show you the door,"
But, Mr.. Brentwick"-
"Sit down, STRIP commanded Brent.
wick, with such peremptory note
that the young man, who had risen,
obeyed out Of sheer surprise, upon
which his host advanced, indicting
him with long white forefnger
"Would you, sir" he demanded, "again
expose this little lady to the machina.
tions Of that corpulent scoundrel whom
have just had the pleasure Of shoe.
ing of my premises because you
choose to resent an old mans rail-
lery"
81 apologize" Kirkwood humored
him.
81 accept the apology in the spirit
In which it is offered. I repeat, now
for the adventure, Philip. II the sto.
ry's long, epitomize. We can con-
slider details more at our leisure"
Kirkwood's eyes consulted the girls
face. Almost imperceptibly she nod
ded him permission to proceed.
Briefly. then," he began haltingly,
1.-The man who followed us to the door
here is Miss Calendars father"
"Oh! His name, please"
George Burgoyne Calendar"
"Ah, an American! remember now.
Continue. please"
"He Is bounding US. sir, with the in
tention of stealing some property.
which he caused to be stolen. which
we, to put 1t bluntly, stole from him.
to which he has no shadow of title
and which finally we're endeavoring
to return to Its owners"
"But why have sou not caused his
arrest?' Brentwlck inquired.
Kirkwood nodded meaningly toward
the girl. BrAitwick made a sound in
dicating comprehension, click OF the
tongue behind closed teeth.
I'VE came to your door by the merest
accident-it might as well have been
another. understood you were In
Munich, and 1t never entered my head
that we'd find you home"
"a communication from my solic-
itors detained me-" explained Brent
wick. And, now. what do you intend
to do?"
"Trespass as far on your kindness as
you'll permit. In the first place. IL
want the use of q few pounds with
which to cable some friends in New
York for money, on receipt Of which
can repay you"
"Phillp," observed Brentwood, you
are most irritating child. But l for
give you the faults of youth. You may
proceed, bearing In mind, If you please,
that | am your friend equally with
any you may own in America"
you're one Of the best men In the
world" said Kirkwood.
"Tut, tut! VIII you get on?
Secondly, want you to help us to
escape Calendar tonight. 1t is neces-
sary that Miss Calendar should 60 to
Chiltern this evening. where she has
friends who will receive and protect
her."
"Mm.m," grumbled their host, med
itative. "My faith| he commented,
with Frightening eyes. ut sounds al
most too good to be true! And I've
been growing afraid that the world
was getting to be most humdrum
and uninteresting planet. Miss Calen'
dar, am a widower Of 80 many years
standing that had almost forgotten
l had ever been anything but a bach
elor. fear my house contains little
that will be of service to young lady.
Yet a room is 1T your disposal. The
parlor maid shall show you the way.
And, Philip, between you and me, l
venture to remark that hot water and
cold steel would add to the attractive
ness of your personal appearance. My
valet will attend you In my room.
Dinner" concluded Brentwick, with
anticipative relish, Twill be served In
precisely thirty minutes. l shall ex'
pect YOU to entertain me with a full
and itemized account Of every phase
of your astonishing adventure. Later
we will find a way to Chiltern."
Again he put hand upon the bell
pull. simultaneously Dorothy and
Kirkwood rose.
"Mr. Brentwick," said the girl, her
eyes starred with tears Of gratitude,
~ don't, l really don't know how
"My dear" said the old gentleman
you will thank me most appropriately
by continuing, to the best Of your abil'
ity, to resemble your mother more re-
markably every minute"
"But r. began Kirkwood.
"You, my dear Philip, can thank me
hest by permitting Inc to enjoy myself