The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-17

Dduk, DuL WIS uodpPoihtoS ~
that Senior Andres Garavel had left
the city for an unexpected business
tour Of the provinces and would not
return for at least two weeks.
In the days that followed he saw
nothing Of Gertrudis, but a great deal
of Edith Cortlandt. She had redeemed
her promise of getting him good
horse-something rare in this country
and he was grateful for the exercise,
which came as a welcome relief from
his indoor toll. Soon their old friendly
intercourse was going on as If it had
never been interrupted.
AS for Edith, this semipublic III
timacy came to be quite as much
pain as pleasure to her. During
these past few weeks she had been
plunged in a mental turmoil, the signs
of which she had concealed with diff
Guilty. She had fought with herself;
she had tried to reason; she had mar
shaled her pride, but all in vain. At
last she awoke to the terrifying GER
tainty that she was in love with Kirk.
She began to look upon her husband
with a quickened curiosity, and found
him a stranger. For years she had
made allowance for his weaknesses,
. ignoring them as she ignored his vir-
tues, but never before had he appeared
+ 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 man of
| HILL llc W. lCi NlSttulC, anu idu
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. flatter-
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
ANA. 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
buttonhoie 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 Gyr
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 thelI
brides, swung them about and with 8
sharp blow Of her riding crop sem
them snorting and Gathering down the
trail. Kirk wheeled barely in time t.
see them disappearing.
Say, why did you do that?" BIZ
asked.
Because l wanted to. Isn't thai
reason enough?" Her eyes were reck
less and her lips white. 81 did it be
cause l wanted to talk with you"
"Well. those horses wouldn't over
hear"
Don't be angry, Kirk. l haven
seen YOU alone since-that night"
'Taboga?" he said guiltily. Your,
not going to lecture me again? In
sorry enough as it is"
What queer chap you are! Am
so unattractive that you really want Il
rush off after those horses? | hay,
known men who would have thought i
privilege to be left alone with me
like this"
'1-have no doubt"
"You remember, for instance, I tolt
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