The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-02-24
'1 did more. I broke with Alfarez

because OF WHAT us son Olu 10 you. l
juggled the politics of this country. 1
threw him over and took Garavel-
Garayel: My God. what mockery!
But l won't let you'll won't let that
girl spoil my work. fostered this
quarrel between Jolsoa and the super
intendent. and I've used Runnels to
break trail for you. Why? Ask your
self why. Oh. Kirk" she cried. you
mustn't marry that girl. Ill make
you great man.
You seem to forget Cortlandt." he
said duly
She gave a scornfuI laugh. You
needn't bring Stephen in. He doesn't
/ count. | doubt if he'd even care
I'm not going to listen to YOU" he
cried. Il suppose I've been fool. but
this must end right here
You can't marry that GIRL" she re-
iterated. Historically. She was half
sobbing again. but not with the weak
ness Of woman: her grief was more
like that of a despairing man.
For heavens sake. pull yourself to-
gether." said Kirk You have SER
wants. IL don't know what to say |
want to get out. want to think it
over. I'm-dreadfully sorry That's
all | can seem to think about now"
He turned and went blindly to the
door. leaving her without look be-
hind.
When he had gone she drew of her
riding gloves. removed her hat and
dropped them both upon the nearest
chair. then crept YEARLY up the stairs
to her room.
A moment later the latticed wooden
open. and through the front window
stepped Stephen Cortlandt. Behind
him was a hammock swung in the
coolest part Of the balcony. The pupils
of his eyes. ordinarily so dead and
expressionless. were distended like
those of man under the influence of
drug or suffering from a violent head
| ache. He listened attentively for an
instant. his head on one side. then.
hearing footsteps approaching from the
rear of the house. he strolled into the
hall.
A maid appeared with tray, glass
and bottle. II could not find the
medicine" she said. but | brought you
some abSinthe 1t will deaden the
pain. sir"
He thanked her and with shaking
fingers poured the glass full then
| drank it off like so much water
you're not going out again in the
heat, sir?'
Yes. Tell Mrs. Cortlandt that am
dining at the University club
Kirk never passed Il more unpleasant
night than the one which followed In
the morning he went straight to Run
| nels with the statement that he could
take no part in the little testimonial
| they had intended to give Cortlandt
But it's too late now to back out.
| saw him at the University club last
| evening and fixed the date for Satur-
day night"
did you tell him I was in the af-
fair?"
"Certainly. l said it was your idea.
| 1t affected him deeply too. | never saw
! a chap SO moved over little thing"
Kirk thought quickly. Perhaps Edith
had spoken rashly In her excitement
and her husband did not know her
suspected. In that case it would never
do to withdraw. 1t would seem like a
| confession OF guilt.
IF he has accepted that ends 1t.
suppose" he said finally.
What has happened?" Runnels was
watching him sharply.
Nothing. | merely wish | hadn't
| entered into the arrangement. that's
all. I've ordered watch for him. too.
and it's being engraved wanted to
| give him something to show my own
personal gratitude for what he and his
wife have done for me- Lord. 1t took
| months salary | know it's jay
| present. but there's nothing decent In
these shops"
Look here. I've wanted to say
something to you for some time.
though it's deuced hard to speak of
such things Steve Cortiandt has put
us where we are. You understand.
when | speak of him include his wife
too Well. | like him. Kirk and I'd
hate to see him made unhappy. If a
| chap loves married woman he ought
TO be man enough to forget it. Rotten
way to express myself. of course
Kirk looked the speaker squareiy in
the eyes as be answered: Il haven
| the least interest in any married mans
| affairs, never have had. in fact I'm
| in love with Gertrudis Garavel. and
I'm engaged To marry her"
| The devil
ITS a fact. | didn't know until last
| night that I'd been accepted"
Then just forget what | said
| was going north on south bound