The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-02-19


SO colorless. so insignificant. above all
so alien. She had barely tolerated him
hitherto. but now she began to de
spise him
If Cortlandt was aware of her change
of feeling and its cause. his method
of dealing with her showed some keen
ness. Silent contempt was what she
could least endure from him of all
| men; yet this was just what his man
ner toward her expressed-if it ex-
pressed anything.
Even if he did suspect. what then?
1t was no affair of his: she was her
own mistress. She had given him all
he possessed. she had made a man of
him. He was her creature. and had
| no rights beyond what she chose to
give. They saw less and less of each
other Only before others. or at their
| frequent political councils. were they
quite the same as they had been.
Of Anthony. on the other hand. she
arranged to see more than ever. f1atter
| ing him by new Difference in her
manner making him feel always at
ease with her. In their frequent rides
| they covered most of the roads about
the city. even to the ruins Of old Pan
anna. Then they began to explore the
| bypaths and trails.
One afternoon they turned into an
unfrequented road that led off to the
| jungle from the main highway, walk
| ing their horses while they marveled
at the beauty of the foliage. They
burst out into a rocky glen. where a
spring of clear water dubbed forth.
What discovery" exclaimed Edith
Help me down. please. I'm going to
drink"
Kirk dismounted and lent her hand
| The horses snorted approximately and.
| stepping forward. thrust their soft
muZzles eagerly into the stream, then
fell to browsing upon the tender leaves
at their shoulders.
! Edith quenched her thirst. shook the
cramp from her limbs and said: Some
time we will have to see where this
road leads. There may be more sur
| prises beyond" She broke a flower
from its stem and fastened it in Kirk S
buttonhOle while he gazed down at her
with friendly eyes.
You're looking awfully we'll lately
he declared.
CHANGING up, she met his gaze and
held it for an instant. Something in
her look gave him little thrill of en-
barrassment.
Il think I'll give Marquis and Gyp
their dessert" he said and. turning
aside. began to gather handful of the
| greenest leaves. The instant his eyes
were off her she took the horses by their
brides. swung them about and with a
sharp blow of her riding crop sent
them snorting and Gathering down the
trail. Kirk wheeled barely in time to
see them disappearing.
Say. why did you do that?" he
asked
Because l wanted to. Isn't that
reason enough?" Her eyes were reck-
less and her lips white. Il did it be-
cause wanted to talk with you
Well those horses wouldn't over
hear"
Don't be angry. Kirk. | haven't
seen you alone since-that night"
"Taboga?' be said guiltily. You're
not going to lecture me again? I'm
sorry enough as it is
What ii queer chap You are: Am
so unattrnctive that you really want to
| rush off after those horses: | have
known men who would have thought it
| privilege to he LEFT alone with me-
like this"
Al have no doubt"
lyon remember. for instance. ! told
| fou there was one man at Iaboga
whom | did not wish to see?''
''Yes-at the Sanita RUM"
We'll. something Ike this happened
once-wth him-and told Stephen"
land did you tell Mr. Cortlandt wha;
did?''
DO you think | would have com"
riding with you if | had?" She shook
her head. Kirk. | used to think you
were un unusually forward young man.
but you're not very worldly. are your
He began firmly: See here. Mrs
Cortlandt. you have been mighty good
to me. and I'm indebted to you and
your husband for whole lot l ana
terribly fond of you BOTH
IL suppose" she said. half defantly.
you know how things are with Ste
phen and me-every body must know,
suppose. Happiness-that is what
want. and | will have it, will have ii
at anv cost IT is nv right Because a