The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-10

kslSa-
which she works She's a rich woman.
she loves the came-her father was the
greatest diplomat of his time, you
know-and she married Cortlandt SO
she could play it. Any other man would
have served as well. though I've heard
that he showed promise before she
blotted him out and absorbed him. But
now he's merely her power Of attor-
ney"
Anthony purSed his lips into a whiS-
tie Of establishment
cts been a good thing for him."
Runnels ran on. evidently warmed TO
his subject. shes made his reputa-
ton; he has money and position. For
my part. Id rather remain insignifi-
cant and have real wife
Don't they love each other?'
Nobody knows She's carved out Of
ice and as for him. well. gratitude is
a good deal like rust-in time it de-
stroys the thing it clin"s to, | suppose
I'm talking too much. but others would
tell you the same things"
1t was with quite a different eye that
Kirk looked upon his host and hostess
that evening. TO his genuine liking for
the latter was now added a worshipful
admiration and a boyish qualification
at her regard. which rather put her at
a distance
Its all settled" said he. I'm 60
ing to work in few days as train col
lector.'
WHAT" Mrs. Cortlandt turned upon
him sharply. "Runnels didn't offer
you that sort Of position:' Her eyes
were dark with indignation. Kirk
promptly came to the defense Of his
new friend
mo. | asked for it.
"Oh. see Well, he will do much
better by you than that"
II don't want anything better to
start with"
But, my dear boy. collector is
merely conductor He takes tickets
Sure, can do that might fail
at something hard"
NO. no, no. I'll see that you don't
fail Don't you understands
II understand lot more than did.
Mrs. Cortlandt. That's why ! don't
want to rob some chap Of q job he's
entitled to. and | sha'nt. There's a
collector quitting shortly"
rs that really the reason, or do You
think the work will be EASIER"
Kirk stirred uncomfortably. "Oh.
I'm not trying to dodge anything" he
maintained ION the contrary, the
most amazing thing has happened
something can't quite understand.
Il really want to work Funny isn't
it? | didn't know people ever got that
way. but-I'd like to help build this
canal
Put conductor. Why, you're a
gentleman
MY dad was brakeman.
/ Don't be foolish Runncls talks too
much Hen offer you something bet,
ter than that"
But Kirk was obdurate. I'D prefer
to start in as confidential adviser to
the canal commission. of course, but
I'd be a frost and my father would
say i told you So must make good
for his sake. even if its only counting
cars or licking postage stamps. Be
sides, it isn't exactly the square thing
to take money for work that somebody
else does for you"
Mrs. Cortlandt laughed with touch
of annoyance
81 think few weeks in cap and
buttons will cure you of this quixotc
sentiment. Meanwhile must admit 1t
Is refreshing" She stared unseeingly
at the street lights for moment. But
see here, Kirk, don't the collectors live
in Colon?"
II don't know" he replied, startled
and flattered by her first use of his
given name.
"Ill look 1t up tomorrow You know
I-Mr. Cortlandt and | will be in Pan
ANA, and ! prefer to have you here.
You see, we can do more for you" A
little later she broke into low laugh.
1T seems strange to so driving with a
conductor"