The Oakes times., 1914-06-18

self pinned In his chair, with Runnelg'
white face close against his own and
other hands upon his arms. His nrvt
frenzy quickly gave way to sickening
horror.
"lt's lie! The mans crasy!' he
cried honrsely: then, as bis compan-
ions drew away from him, he rose to
his feet. "Why are you looking at me
like that? l tell you it's ID lie!
l never
Runncls turned to the table and
with shaking hand put glass to his
lips and gulped Its contents. Wade
and Kimble exchanged glances. then,
avoiding each others eyes. took their
hats from the hooks behind them.
"Wait! Bring him back" Kirk
mumbled. "Ill get him and make him
say it's lie." But still no one an.
swered. no one looked at him. God!
You don't believe it?"
"l'm going home. fellows. I'm kind
Of SICK" Kimble said. One Of the
others murmured unintelligibly. and
wetting napkin. bound up his hand,
which was bleeding. They continued
to watch Kirk as II fearful of some In
sane action. yet they refused to meet
his eyes squarely. There was no SYM
pathy In their faces.
The knowledge of what these actions
meant came to him slowly. Was It
possible that his friends believed this
incredible accusation? AS he began to
collect himself he saw his plight more
clearly. His first thought had been
that Cortlandt was insane. but the
maniac. No! He actually believed
and these fellows also. He wanted to
shout his innocence ut them. to beat
it into their heads.
One by one they took their hats and
went out. mumbling goodnight to one
another. MS II intending to 60 home
singly In order to avoid all discussion
Of this thing that had fallen among
them. Hunncls alone remained.
"You don't believe I did-that?' An
thony asked in strained voice.
Ill think l do" There was a mis-.
crable silence. and then: ut isn't the
thing itself. you know. SO much Us the
Observation-Disclosures advantage you
took. II he'd been stranger, now
Honestly. isn't 1t true?"
Kirk shook his head listlessly. 81
wouldn't lie to you"
Runnels drew a deep breath. "Oh.
come. now. the man must have known
what he was saying. Men don't do
things like that on suspicion
"He misunderstood our friendship"
said Kirk heavily. then reused himself
for Inst plea. Look here!" he cried.
"You know CortIandt. and you know
me. The man was insanely jealous.
I know 1t sounds weak. but It's the
truth. and it's all can say. Ill go
mad II you doubt me. And tonight of
all''- He broke OF sharply. "My
God! I'd forgotten that I'm married.
Suppose Gertrudis hears Of this!" An
thony seized his temples In despair.
Runncls took sudden illogical deci.
sion. He never knew exactly what
had Influenced him. but his whole past
knowledge surged up in him with n
force that he could not resist. He laid
his hand on Kinks shoulder. Take
1t easy. old man." he said. II believe
you. I've always known that they
didn't get along together. although
well. I won't try to understand it. lie
may not do anything further. and
these fellows won't mention what hap
! ncnyl here They emit"
"Womcn are apt to be Jealous. aren't
they. ltunnels? What do you suppose
she'd dog
Don't worry about that. I'm think.
ing about Cortlnndt. II he finds out
he's mistaken what will lie do:"
Hell have to find out. I'm going tc
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 mus
turn in. The walters are wondcrin.
what this row is about. think wee
: better take walk"
Ill IaSSlHS through Tue ueSeTteu iot
by of the hotel they saw Clifford idln.
about. But they were too much alb
sorbed to wonder what had kept hin
up SO late. By the clock across tin,
plaza they saw 1t was two hours aftc
midnight rs they stepped into th'
street. Then. finding no coachcs il
: sight they set out to walk toward An
4 con, both badly in need of the ope!
n mir.
t A moment later Clifford followe,
! them. taking pains to keep ut dis
y tance
t Now that the full import OF Cort
d landts accusation had sunk into hi
! mind. Kirk lapsed into mood OF sui
y len bitterness. He said little. but hi
l. set face worried his companion. VIII
Il was loath to bid him good night eve
e when they were close to the Tivol
II After they had parted Runnels wa
e upon the point Of going back and onc
It ing to spend the night with him. bu
: thought better Of 1t.
II Instead of passing through the ofiic
e Kirk mounted to the porch of the T
n.