The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-18

| farewell word or two with Gertruuls'
| hut instead he was bowed out as cere-
moniously as he had been bowed III
and. finding himself at last in the
omen. sighed with relief. He felt Ike
paroled prisoner, but he thought OIL
the girls glance of sympathy and was
instantly consoled He crossed sloWi!
to the plaza. pausing moment Tor
good night loolS at the house. then, as
he turned he caught glimpse OF d
figure sinking into the shadows OF the
side street and smiled indulgently'
Evidently Allan had been unable to re-
sist the temptation to follow him. But
when he had reached his quarters ne
was surprised to find the boy there
ahead Of him.
"How did you beat me home?" he in
CURED
81 have been waiting h'impatiently
ever since you went out. To be sure
| have had one little dream
Didn't you follow me to the Cara
vels':"
"Oh. boss. Never would do such
Seeing that the negro was honest
Kirk decided that somebody had been
spying upon him. but the matter was
of so little consequence that he DIS
missed it from his mind.
Although Runnels had spoken with
confidence of the coming shakeup III
the railroad organization, 1t was not
without Il certain surprise that he
awokc one morning to find himself ac-
lively in charge Of the entire system.
He lost no time in sending for Kirk,
who took the news of their joint adj
vancement with characteristic equa-
nimity.
"Now. there is nothing cinched yet,
understand" the acting superintend-
ent cautioned him. Were all on pro-
baton, but if we make good ! think
we'll stick"
"I'l do my best to fill your shoes"
"And | have the inside track on
Blakeley, in spite of Colonel Jolson, so
I'm not alarmed. The break came
sooner than | expected, and now that
we chaps are in control it's the chance
of our lfetimes."
Kirk nodded. You're entitled to all
you get, but I've never quite under
stood how | managed to forge ahead
so fast I've been mighty lucky"
you don't really call it luck, do
your? Runnels looked at him curl
ously.
I'm not conceited enough to think
I'm a downright genius"
"Why. the Cortlandts engineered ev-
erything. 1t was they who arranged
your promotion to the office in the first
place, and they're behind this last af-
fair. They have stood back of you at
every step and, incidentally, back Of
me and the other boys"
when you say they you Of course
mean She
"Of course. One has to recognize
him. though, as the head of the family.
And he really did have part in it
too. At least if he had been against
us we never would have won"
I'D like to show the Cortlandts that
we appreciate what they've done, but
we can't openly thank her without hu-
initiating him. I'd like to give him
something"
Suppose we give him a quiet little
supper some night and tell him frank
ly how grateful we are. He's the sort
to appreciate thing like that, and 1t
would be delicate way Of thanking
his wife too"
"Good I'll speak to the other fel-
lows, and now the acting master Of
transportation is going to shake with
the new acting superintendent and
wish him every success"
Runnels grasped the outstretched
hand.
Say, Anthony" he said. we're
young and we have a start. have
what you lack, and you have what l
lack. II we stick together. we'll own
a railroad some day. Is 1t a go?'
"You bet"
With warm glow in his breast the
new master Of transportation plunged
into his duties. He really was making
a success, it seemed, although 1t was a
bit disappointing to learn that he owed
so much Of it to Edith Cortlandt But
this last advancement, too. was very
timely, for it would surely have its
effect upon Andres Garavel.
But his new work brought new
troubles and worries. He began to
sleep shorter hours; he conce rated
with every atom of determinaLl in
him; he drove himself with an N
hand. He attacked his task from ey.
cry angle, and with his fine constitu.
ton and unbounded youthful energy
he covered an amazing quantity Of
work. He covered 1t so well, more
over, that Runnels complimented him.
This stress of labor served one pur-
pose for which he was very grateful.
it separated him from Edith Cortlandt
and took his mind from that occur
renee in the jungle.
Soon after his promotion he received
from Andres Garavel a warmly worded
note of congratulation, and some few
days later an invitation to dine. which
he accepted eagerly
The dinner proved to be another dis
ordeal for Amin hn p.os