The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-10-30

But she loved him. That was all his
dizzy head could hold She loved him
Christine Marshall loved him. She was
willing to strip herself Of everything 70
follow him the wide world over. Moth
ing could matter now. nothing could
hurt him. Chris loved him.
He had completely forgotten the
frock coat person. he of the silk hat
and the beard and subdued masterful-
ness. who had chung 10 his front wheel
with agitated pertinacity hardly three
hours before. Matt was reminded of
his existence by finding him on Mrs.
Sattane's front porch. YEARLY blocking
the road to supper. BY all rights the
stranger should have been excessively
annoyed. but on the contrary be WIS
suavity itself. rising at Matt'> APP
proach and greeting him with formi-
da BILE poiiteneSS
Might be take the liberty of reneat-
ing his request TO see Mr.. Broughton 10
private? Might he. without undue in
SiSt"nre. remind Mr.. Broughtnn of the
very serious isSues at stake and the
need-the Very great need-of eHpedi-
ton: After three hours of waiting was
he not entitled TO an immediate inter
view-an immediate interview in pri-
vate: No. it need not be long. In some
aspects it was a very simple affair a
proposal on the part of certain ptin-
cipals. an acceptance-er-it was to be
hoped. on Mr. Broughton's.
ApologZing for having no better
place to offer. Matt led the stranger
upstairs to his bedroom. where. after
lighting the single gas jet. he offered
him chair and himself took a seat on
the bed
Now. what's your name:" asked
Matt. lighting his pipe and throwing
out his long legs.
The stranger somewhat stammering-
~ replied that he might be called Mr..
Kay. though whether he meant X -a-y
or merely the letter * was left OBJ
well. Mr.. Kay. currrr--
lets get one thing understood right
off am not kanaka king. and
haven't any islands. or money. or sub
jectS. or fleets. or pearling beds or any
thing. If you have the least miscon
ception of that kind about me the soon
er you get rid of it the better"
You refer doubtless to those news
paper accounts?" inquired the stranger
Matt nodded.
Yes. all that rot" he said.
I'm familiar with them" observed
the stranger. drawing up close to The
bed Perhaps I'm also more familiar
| with the actual facts than you will
credit Circumstances have forced me
to acquaint myself with them-to sep
arate the wheat from the chaff. from
vast deal Of chaff." he added IN
bendingly. well. we'll. now to bust
ness With that he produced from
his pocket small. fiat object wrapped
| in tissue paper. Divesting it OF it:
covering. he passed a little ivory minia
ture to Matt. DO you happen to rec
ognize that person." he asked.
| Matt took it with surprise. for it wa:
trimmed with diamonds and backed
with gold like an unwieldy brooch
with surprise that changed to con
| sternation as he behe!d the unmiStaka
BILE face of John Mort, 1t was II face
| younger by twenty years than the
| John Mort he had known. Smo0the
| and more rounded and with the hal
| altogether black: Gathering picture
| much too pink and prettified ant
| youthfully handsome for even the orig
| inal AT the age ii represented him
But it was John Mort just the same
| He could have picked it out of a room
| full of miniatures. whole gallery
John Mort. staring up at him from :
| circlet of diamonds. with an hyperion:
air that somehow had been caugh
| ObseQuious artist.
Chills ran down MATHS
as though he We're de1G
He was thankful
that must haveh -
Of diSmay. "a ctos .selBls
were now upon .RHa ~ Il ,I,se1 10
his own promises. hi1B!u ,onr9
word Here was what Jo.sl!S5 a,,,o
| feared-"the wolves" he haI7s
them in voice he had lowered -.
| there. apprehensive still on that los
| reef in those lost and lonely seas
| The heavy lidded eyes took on a new
and ominous significance as Matt fel
| their glance on him. What evil wer,
they meditating? What was their sin
lister purpose in seeking him ont to he
| tray his friend?
He returned the miniature. speakiu:
as he did so with his pipe in ~:
mouth-a Suhterfuce he had found 'r<o
| ful before. especially when under fir..
| real fre-hulletS II is the mouth tina