The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-27

man, powerrui IN physique, In mlno
and in determination.
"In what way may ! be Of service to
you?" she inquired coldly.
Il want my boy" he said simply,
and she began to see that underneath
his cold and domineering exterior his
heart was torn by great distress.
You know all the circumstances Of
courseT
II do. That's why came straight
to you. know you're the keystone Of
the whole affair, SO I didn't waste time
with these other people. Kinks a
blanked idiot and always has been. he
isn't worth the powder to blow to
excuse mel mean he's just ne'er.
do-well. But suppose I'll have to do
my duty by him. l just had to kick
him out. Sorry didn't do it sooner"
III you have cut him of why do you
care what becomes of him?
Darwin X. Anthony's eyes dimmed,
but his voice rose fiercely. Hes my
boy, and I've right to treat him any
blanked way ! please, but nobody else
is going to abuse him! These Span
iards can't do it! I'll teach them to
lay hands on my-boy! ! don't care
what he's done. They've got to give
him up. And he's going buck with
me. He's going home. I-I-want
him."
"Why have you come to me?" she
queried.
Because you must know the truth
If anybody does, and want your
help" His voice softened suddenly,
and he regarded her with a gentle
kindness that was surprising. 1--WE
heard all about you and Kirk. In fact,
I've known what was going on all the
time, for I've had man on his track
night and day. You may know him
Clifford? Well. he followed Kirk that
night after the supper to your hus-
band, but Arson didn't dare call him
to the stand at the hearing for fear
this Alfarez would perjure more of his
black and tans."
so Clifford is your MANI"
"Yes. l took him off my system and
sent him down here as soon as got
Kinks idiotic, lmpudent letter. The
old man began to sputter with indig-
nation. "What do you think he wrote
me, Mrs. Cortlandt? He had the i'm
pudence to turn down a good Job I Of
fered him because his wife might not
like our climate Thank God, he had
sense enough not to do thatv'
Then you don't know?" N1'
"Know what? -,
"That he is married."
"D-nation" roared Anthony furi-
ously.
She nodded. "A Miss Garavel. They
were married a-week ago." She broke
down miserably and hid her face in
her hands. He strobe to her with a
light Of understanding in his eyes,
Laying great hand upon her dropping
head, he exclaimed with wonderful
softness:
my dear Mrs Cortlandt, I'm very
sorry for you, indeed | am. Now
now, try to face it squarely. All good
women are brave, and you're a good
woman. We both love him, and |
know we can save him If we pull to-
gether."
"Yes, yes" She raised her drawn
white face eagerly to his. 1T will
only take word, but have been like
mad woman. | couldn't bear to give
him up. and when l learned the truth
| thought l could let him-suffer. But
couldn't He is tho first and only
man
II know" He patted her in a way
that said more than words.
Il couldn't have stood out much
longer"
"Then you have proofy" His face
was wild with eagerness.
This. Take 1t quickly. l only found
it last night 1t had been mislaid In
the confusion. l meant to give it up
l really did" With clumsy fingers she
drew from the front of her dress ar
unsealed letter and handed 1t to him
stephen was not bad man. you see
and he had no intention Of wrongine
an innocent person"
Darwin X. Anthony's pallor matched
hers as he read the sheet; then he ex
claimed weakly: Thank God! Some
thing told me to come straight to you
Something always tells me where tt
find the heart Of things"
Kirk was considerably surprised tina
afternoon when sergeant and TIVE
policemen came to his cell. signifyins
that he was to accompany them. III
could not make out where they wer'
taking him, and. despite their unusua
politeness, they were dense to all In
quiries The coach drew up at las
before a large. white building, and b,
was told to descend. Up fight o.
stairs he was escorted. his pulses
quickening with apprehension, down
| long corridor and into a large room
where he saw Runnels. Colonel Jol
son, Arson, Clifford, dozen or NOR
Panamaniap officials and-he- stoppet