Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-01-24

] gether," said Kirk. You have SER
wants. II don't know what to say. I
want 10 get out. / want TO think it
over. I'm-dreadfully sorry. That's
all can seem to think about now. -
He turned and went blindly to the
door. leaving her without a look be-
hind.
When he had gone she drew off her
riding gloves. removed her hat and
dropped them both upon the nearest
chair then crept YEARLY up the stairs
TO her room.
A moment later the latticed wooden
blinds at the end of the parlor swung
open. and through the front window
stepped Stephen Cortlandt Behind
him was hammock swung in the
coolest part OF the balcony. The pupils
OF his eyes, ordinarily so dead and
expressionless. were distended like
those of a man under the influence of
drug or suffering from a violent head
ache. He listened attentively for an.
instant. his head on one side. then.
hearing footsteps approaching from the
rear OF the house. he stroIled into the
hall.
maid appeared with a tray. glass
and n bottle. ST could not find the
medicine" she said. but brought you
some absinthe 1t will deaden the
pain, sir"
He thanked her and with shaking
fingers poured the glass full, then
drank it Off like so much water.
You're not going out again in the
heat, sir:"
"Yes. Tell Mrs. Cortlandt that I am
dining at the University club"
Kirk never passed a more unpleasant
night than the one which followed. In
the morning he went straight to Run |
nels with the statement that he could |
take no part in the little testimonial
they had intended to give Cortlandt.
"But it's too late now to back out. |
I saw him at the University club last |
evening and fixed the date for Satur-
day night"
did you tell him 1 was in the af-
fair?"
Certainly. said it was your idea.
It affected him deeply too. 1 never saw
n chap so moved over n little thing
Kirk thought quickly. Perhaps Edith
had spoken rashly in her excitement
and her husband did not know her
feelings after all. Perhaps he only
suspected. In that case it would never
do TO withdraw. 1t would seem like a
OF guilt.
IF he has accepted that ends it. 1
suppose" he said finally.
"What has happened?" Runnels was
watching him sharply.
Nothing. I merely wish I hadn't
into the arrangement. that's
oil fn, 70, I
and it's being engraved. 1 wanted to
give him something to show my own
personal gratitude for what he and his
wife have done for me. Lord. 1t took
n months salary. l know it's n jay
present, but there's nothing decent in
these shops"
Look here, I've wanted to say
to you for some time
though it's deuced hard to speak of
such things. Steve Cnrtlandt has put
is where we are. \ VI understand,
when l speak of him l include his wife
too. Well, / like him. Kirk. and I'd I
hate TO see him made unhappy. If
chap loves a married woman he ought
% be man enough to forget it. Rotten s
way to express myself. of course I
Kirk looked the speaker squarely in
he eyes as he answered: Il haven't '
he least interest in any married mans !
Iffairs. never have had. in fact. I'm
n love with Gertrudis GaraveI, and {
I'M engaged to marry her" I
''The devilr'
Its fact. didn't know until last g
light that I'd been accepted"
Then just forget what 1 said.
vas going north on n south bound q
rack-I ran ahead OF orders. really
10 congratulate you. old man. Miss n
iaravel is-well. won't try to do her '
had no idea. Please par
lon me-
Certainly. Now that it's settled I'm y
lot going to let any grass grow under 4
nv feet" 4
why. say. Garsvel is to be the c
ext president, Jove. you're lucky! $
'ortlandt told me last night that the /,
Id fellows candidacy was to be an
ounced Saturday night at the big
all. That's how he came TO accept b
ur invitation. He said his work Y
-ouId be over by then. and he'd be G
lad to Join us after the dance. Well. o.
ell. Your future wife and father-in- d
Nv are TO be his guests that night, / b
oppose you know" n
''Then they have patched I'D n truce b
18th Alfarez? I'm glad TO hear that" a
ITS all settled. believe. This dance V
n big special event. The American b
mister and the various diplomatic d
lngs will be there. besides the promi- &
snt Spanish people. It's precisely the
oment to launch the Garavel boom, {
nd Cortlandt intends to do II. After b
s over our little crowd will have sup &
sr ana thank him for what he has h
me for US. Your promotion came just "
time, didn't it? Talk about luck, L
e ought to hear from Washington b
fore Saturday and know that our d
BIS are cinched. This uncertainty is h
,rce for me. You know, 1 have a W
life and kid. and 1t means a lot.
hen you give Cortlandt that watch II
,uIl have 10 present him with low Il
z cup from the rest of US. 1 think II