The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-02-13

shady seat WITH the langulu air OF
bored globe trotter.
Only when Kirk appeared upon his
rounds did he forego his naughty COM
placency. Then his wide lips, which
nature had shaped to perpetual grin,
CURED back as they We're intended, his
smile lit up the car, and he burst into
loud laughter.
Kirk found that the report of his
good fortune had spread far and wide:
he was halted a score of times for con-
CALCULATIONS: operators at the various
stations yelled at him and waved their
hands: Runnels wired "Hurrah.' at
Gatun. 4 certain respect was in these
greetings, too, for he had suddenly be-
come a character.
As yet. however, he had not fully
considered what this windfall meant
to him. His first thought had been
that he could now discharge his debts.
go back to New York and clear himself
before the law. Yet the more he
thought of it the less eager he became
to return. Seven thousand five hun
bred dollars in gold to Kirk Anthony
of Panama, collector. was substan
tial fortune. To Kirk Anthony of AL
bany. distributor. it was nothing.
Suppose he went home and squared
his account with the police, what
would he do then? Nothing, as usual.
Here, he was proving that the An
thOny breed was self supporting at
least. And there was another reason.
the wcightieSt of all. Long before he
had reached the end of his run he real
lied that not 100 times the amount of
this capital prize would tempt him to
leave Panama before he had seen Chi
quita.
Chiquita was beginning to seem like
a dream At times during the past
week he had begun to wonder if she
were not really product of his own
Imagination. His fancy had played
upon her SO extravagantly that he
feared he would not know her if ever
they came face to face.
This was most unsatisfactory, and
he reproached himself bitterly for the
involuntary faithlessness that could al
low her image to grow dim. He was
almost without hope of seeing her
again. And then, with the incense
quence of dreams and sprites, she ap-
peared to him.
1t was but a glimpse he had and a
tantalizing fash of recognition from
her eyes. 1t happened in the dusk
during the confusion that accompanied
the arrival of No. Z at Panama. 1t
lasted only moment, and he lost
sight of her again in the crowd.
But there was no doubt that she had
recognized him, and nothing now could
prevent him from continuing his
search. The trouble was that his pres
ent occupation allowed him no oppor-
tunity. He was tied to the railroad
except at night
1t was perhaps two weeks later that
a serious shakeup occurred in the office
force. of which no one seemed to know
the cause. There was mad scramble
for advancement all along the line, in
which Kirk took no part. But unex-
pectedly Runnels summoned him to
his Office.
How would you like an inside posi-
TOM said the master of transporta-
ton, eyeing him keenly.
so SOON"
Il said Id advance you if you made
good" He paused an instant, then said
deliberately. When you get the hang
of things here you'll have Il chance to
be my assistant
Kirk opened his eyes in amazement.
Gee. That's great. But do you
think | can get away with it?'
Not at once 1t will take time of
course. and you'll have to work like
the devil. Look here, Anthony. I'm
partly selfish in this. for | believe
you're the sort I'm going to want with
in the next year. The superintendent
has had an offer from a big system in
the states. and he's going to quit when
his vacation comes. He likes me and
he says I'll probably step into his
shoes. Do you understand what that
means? I'll need fellows l can count
on-fellows who won't double cross me
to make a dollar for themselves, or
knife me when my back is turned.
I've got to have an efficient. noiSeleSS
organization. Otherwise We'll all go
under. for We'll be into politics up to
our neckS. | think you're my sort. SO
if you'll stick to me III help you and
for every step l take I'll drag you up
one
Its co. The two young men
clasped hands heartily. Runnels had
struck the right note. Beside his for
mer desire to prove himself a man,
Kirk now felt Il strong sense of loyalty
to the one who had recognized his
worth.
When lie told his good news to Mrs.
Cortlandt. her surprise was 50 cleverly
simulated that he never dreamed that
she had been at great pains to bring
this thing about. Not that Runnels
was indisposed TO act upon his own in
itiative. but the circumstances that had
I 4 l.