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

Yes. we are very fond of him. He
will be promoted soon, by the way, al
though he doesn't know it. He is to
replace Runnels as soon as he is able
Kirk is certain to succeed. and old
Anthony will come round. if l know
American fathers"
Garavel smiled. we'll pleased that he
had treated his recent visitor with
proper consideration. After all, why
not invite the young fellow to his
house? That would be rather a sig
nificant step according to Spanish Gus
tom, yet he need not be bound by it.
He could put stop to the affair at
any time. Besides. despite his frequent
protestations to the contrary, he was
somewhat influenced by his daughter
desire for more liberty. 1t was not fair
to her. he thought in his heart. that
she should know only Ramon. One rea-
son especially appealed to his pride. II
break came between him and Al
farez, Ramon must not appear to have
Tilted Gertrudis If, meanwhile, she
had another sutton, and one of distin-
guished family, the affair would wear
better look. 1t cannot be denied that
the name of Darwin X. Anthony rang
musically in his ears.
1.-THE boy has the right stuff in him"
Edith went on. "He began at the bot
tom only few months ago, preferring
to work his way up, though he was
offered first rate position to begin
with"
She would have said more, but just
at that moment her husband entered.
"You were saying that Alfarez sus-
pects," said Cortandt. addressing Gar
avel. "Has he said anything?"
"Not to me as yet, but he surely must
know. The rumors must have reached
him. He is cold. and Ramon acts
queerly. feel guilty-almost as If
had betrayed friend"
Nonsense! When the time comes
you will be called for. But it must be
the voice Of the people calling. Bocas,
Chiriqui, Colon-they must all demand
Garavel." Cortlandt sighed. II shall
be very glad when 1t Is over" He
looked more pale. more bloodless, more
world weary than ever.
You need have no fear that 1t will
cause serious trouble between you and
the general" Mrs. Cortlandt assured
Garavel. Ramon should be able to
effect peace, no matter what happens"
"Ah, am not so sure that there will
be marriage between Gertrudis and
! him."
us she growing rebellious" Cort-
landt inquired. If were you, then,
I wouldn't force her. A loveless mar
rage Is tragic thing"
His wife nodded her agreement
mot exactly rebellious. She would
do whatever I asked regardless Of her
own feelings. for that Is the way we
Spaniards bring up our daughters, but
she is cold to Ramon, and he, I believe,
is suspicious of my intentions toward
his father. Therefore the situation Is
strained. With Gertrudis I cannot be
severe, but unless It becomes necessary
to make conditions with my old friend,
Alfarez, should prefer to let the girl
have her own way"
It was about this time, perhaps two
weeks after Kirk had replied to his
fathers letter, that Runnels called him
in one day to ask:
do you know a man named Cliff
ford?
mo"
HE dropped in this morning, claim
ing to be newspaper man from the
States; wanted to know all about ev-
erything on the canal and-the usual
thing. He didn't talk like a writer,
though. thought you might know
him. He asked about YOU"
"Me?" Kirk pricked up his ears.
81 gathered the impression he was
trying to pump me-" Runnels eyed
his subordinate shrewdly. Il boosted
YOU"
rs he short and thick set?"
mo; tall and thin" As Kirk merely
looked at him in puzzled way, he
continued: Il suppose we're all sus-
picious down here. there's so much Of
that sort of thing. If he has anything
on YOU
Hes got nothing on me-"
I'm glad of that You're the best
man | have. and that shakeup l told
you about is coming off sooner than
expected. I'd hate to have anything
happen to you. Do you think you could
hold down my job?"
what? Do you really mean itY
81 do"
ut goes without saying that I'd like
to be master Of transportation, but not
until you're through"