The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-24

huuIlelS uIeW Il ueeD UIcdtu. OH
come. now. the man must have known
what he was saying Men don't dc
things like that on suspicion"
"IIe misunderstood our friendship"
said Kirk heavily. then reused himself
for last plea. Look mere" he cried.
you know Cortlandt. and you know
me. The man was insanely jealous.
l know it sounds weak. but it's the
truth. and It's all can say. I'll 60
mad if you doubt me- And tonight of
all He broke off sharply. MY
God. I'd forgotten that I'm married.
Suppose Gertrudis hears of this!" An
thony seized his temples in despair.
Runnes took a sudden illogical deci-
sion. He never knew exactly what
had influenced him. but his whole past
knowledge surged up in him with a
force that he could not resist He laid
his hand on Kinks shoulder. Take
it easy. old man." he said 81 believe
you. I've always known that they
didn't get along together, although
well, won't try to understand it. He
may not do anything further. and
these fellows won't mention what hap
pened here. They can't"
women are apt to be jealous. aren't
they, Runnes? What do you suppose
! she'd dor
Don't worry about that. I'm think
ing about Ccrtlandt. If he finds out
he's mistaken What will he do?"
Hell have to find out. I'm going to
! tell him. His wife will tell him. Good
God! Do you see what an awful light
it puts me in? You don't doubt me,
do you really. old man."
mo. but what night this has been!
1t seems year old. Come along. now.
You must get out Of here. You must
turn in. The walters are wondering
what this row is about. I think we'd
better take a walk"
In passing through the deserted lob
by of the hotel they saw Clifford idling
about. But they were too much alb
sorbed to wonder what had kept him
up so late By the clock across the
plaza they saw it was two hours after
midnight as they stepped into the
street. Then, finding no coaches in
sight, they set out to walk toward An
con. both badly in need Of the open
air.
A moment later Clifford followed
them. taking pains to keep at dis
lance.
Now that the full import of Cort-
landt's accusation had sunk into his
mind. Kirk lapsed into a mood Of sui
len bitterness. He said little. but his
set face worried his companion. who
was loath to bid him good night even
when they were close to the TivOli.
After they had parted Runnels was
upon the point of going back and offer
ing to spend the night with him, but
thought better Of It.
Instead of passing through the office
Kirk mounted to the porch Of the I'll
vol and entered his room from the
outside, as he and Chiquita had done
earlier that evening He found Allan
waiting and bursting with desire to
gossip but cut him short
Get my street clothes. I'm going
out" He tore the white tie from his
throat as if it were choking him. 1--WE
been hurt. Allan can't explain. for
you wouldn't understand. but I've been
hurt Come along"
The Negroes lips drew apart in an ex-
preston of apelike ferocity, and he be-
gan to chatter threats of vengeance. to
which Kirk paid little heed. A few mo-
ments later they went out quietly, and
together they took the rock road down
toward the city, the one silent and
desperate, the other whining like a
hound nearing a scent.
Edith COrtlandt did not retire i'm
mediately upon her return from the
ball. Her anger at Anthony's behavior
kept her wakeful. and the night had
turned off so dead and humid that
sleep was in any case a doubtful pos
sibility.
She was still sitting in her room at
late hour when she heard the outside
door close and Cortlandt's footsteps
mounting the stairs. She was glad be
had his own room and never entered
hers at such an hour, for even to talk
with him in her present state of mind
and body would have been more than
she could bear.
She was unreasonably, annoyed there
fore, when he came boldly into bel
chamber without even knocking.
Rather late for good night" she said
coldly.
i've just come from Anthony's sup
per party"
His voice made her look round sharp.
ly. She saw that his linen. ordinarily
stiff and immaculate. was sodden and
crumpled, his collar limp. his forehead
| pliSteninp with dronS of mojsture