Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1914-04-08

ana we don't tie a fellow up and beat
him When he's helpless and then offer
him the honorable satisfaction of Ell
their committing murder or being kill
ed. They're not wearing duels this
season. His hands clinched invOlun-
tar1ly. Il don't want to hurt you. AL
farez. but | may not be able to help it
II you don't keep out of my way"
He left the fiery little Panamanian
still scowliIg and muttering threats
and went his way. wondering vaguely
how his attentions to Chiquita had be-
come SO quickly known. He was in
formed later in the afternoon.
AS he left the Office for the day he
was handed note from Mrs. COrt-
landt requesting him to call at once.
and, summoning a coach. he was driv-
en- directly to her house. Unlike the
Garavel home. the house which the
Cortlandts had leased was set upon the
water front. it's rear balcony overlook
ing the sea where it lappeU the FOUR
dation Of the city wall.
Edith kept him waiting a moment
before she descended, dressed for her
afternoon ride.
You got my note?"
Yes. and l came straight from the
Office
Il suppose you know what it is about
and are wondering how heard the
news"
"What news?''
"Your engagement She laughed
with an amusement that did not ring
quite true.
you're the second one to speak
about that. I'm not engaged"
'Of course not. Don't think for a
moment l believed it. / was calling
on some Spanish people this afternoon
and heard the report. l admit it was
a shock. When learned the details l
knew at once you ought to be told be-
fore it developed into something embar-
RAISING. Come into the other room;
there is a breeze from the water" She
led him into the parlor, from which the
open windows, shielded now by drawn
shutters. gave egress to the rear porch
with it's chairs and hammock.
"Dear, dear! You foolish boy, you're
always in trouble, aren't you? You
really don't deserve to be helped. Why.
you have avoided me for weeks"
"The new arrangement has swamped
us with work. / have had no time to
go OUT
"Indeed! You had time to run after
the first pretty Spanish face you saw"
CCVo,1 T11ooY, Misc, On vol
''Yes. Didn't you realize what you
were doing?"
Il realized what l was trying to do
But l could understand better what
you are talking about if knew just
what this difficulty is"
.'Why, this silly engagement of
yours. Don't pretend to be so stupid"
Ramon Alfarez heard that same re-
port and very courteously invited me
to wait few minutes while he killed
me. It's tremendously flattering to be
linked up with Miss Garavel, Of course,
but l haven't asked her to marry me-"
But you've seen her. You have
called at her house."
'Sure! Twice. at the invitation of
the old gentleman. All the little Cara
vels were lined up like mourners.''
"And you dined there last night. Is
that all you have seen of her?"
"N-no. I've. seen her at Las Savan-
mas. That's why / went hunting SO
often
At this confession. which Kirk deliv-
cred with sheepish reluctance. Mrs.
Cortlandt drew herself up with an ex-
preston of anger.
Then this has been going on for
some time!" she cried. why, Kirk,
you never told me-
"Why should ~
She flushed at this unconscious bru-
tally, but after a moment ran on
bravely: But why did you let it go so
far? Why did you let them commit
you?"
Gam l committedY'
Her look was half offended. half in
credulous. Are you trying to be dis
agreeable, or is it possible you don't
know the meaning of those invitations
to call and to dine with the family. and
all that? Why, they expect you to
marry her. 1t is all settled now, ac-
cording to the Spanish custom. The
whole town is talking about it,
Il hope you're not joking" said Kirk
"JOve! I'm knocked clear off my
pins. A tremendous wave of excite
ment surged over him. 80 that's
what Alfarez meant. That's what she
meant last night when she told me to
look up He broke off suddenly, for
Edith's face had gone chalk white.
"But, Kirk, what about me?' she
asked in a strained voice.
There was deathlike silence in the
room.
''You can't love her." said the wom-
an. ''Why, she's only a child, and
she's-Spanish."
They stood motionless, facing each
other. At last Kirk said gravely ard
deliberately:
Eyes, love her better than anything
in the world, and I want to marry her.
T n