Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1914-06-25

thony junior indicated his wife's stat.
ure. smiling rapturously.
Love her?"
do 1? It's fierce"
"Humph! You'll have to get over It.
I'll pay your debts and take care Of
you, but can't stand mulatto around
me-
There aren't any debts, and she's
not mulatto. She's a-dream."
Some time later Kirk found himself
in the open sunlight free man once
more, with Darwin X. Anthony and
Runnels on either side Of him. But
before he had gone block he halted
suddenly. saying:
"Williams! I'D forgotten him and
his warrant"
He's fixed" Runnels explained.
'Whle your father and Mrs. Cortlandt
and Colonel Jolson were getting you
out of Jail Clifford and told him the
truth. He's rather decent fellow.
They have caught the real Jefferson
Locke or whatever his name is."
"No!"
Yes, week ago. He landed in Bos.
ton. Couldn't stay away from his own
country any longer. Williams hadn't
heard of it.
"What has become Of Higgins?"
Kirk inquired of his father.
Anthony senior exploded:
ooh. he's back scorching up the Ten
derloin, as usual. But you'll have to
cut him out or I'll leave you here.
That's final, understand"
II intend to stay here anyhow"
"Huh?' The old man turned with a
start. I'm dashed If you dol" Then
savagely: "What do you suppose I
came down here for? I'm lonesome.
want you to come home"
Kirk smiled craftily and looked at
Runncls. Well what can you offer7
I'm doing pretty we'll as 1t is. and ]
can't afford to lay off,"
acting superintendent. See! It's
nothing less than blackmail. Is he any
good. Mr.. RunnelsW
''lf there weren't SO much politics In
this job he'd be master Of transporta-
ton of the r. r. r. That's doing pref
ty well. isn't it? We're both going to
quit and look for new work"
"Do you drink, Kirk?''
81 haven't even had an alcohol rub
since left New York. But. dad, II
you place me you'll have to take care
of Runnels too He knows more about
railroads than-yOu do 9"
MIR. Anthony gr,lnted tribe skepti-
cally at this and mnrmured: HE must
be bright young man. suppose
what he doesn't know you do. Well,
how would you both like to come north
and give me some lessonsT'
do you mean itY" they cried In
chorus.
II do"
ooh. there's Allan too. He'll have to
GO"
ANY cats and dogs you'd like to
have drawing salary from me? Now.
let's go somewhere and eat. haven't
tasted anything to speak of since Gilt.
tords message came"
"lf you don't mind, lid like to stop
at the Garavels' for minute" Kirk
said longingly, and his father scowled
I'D forgotten this-wife of yours"
She's not there" Runnels hastened
to say. 'I've tried to find her, but |
was told she was out at the country
place.
"Then I think I'd rather drive out
there than eat. Won't you 20 With
me, dad?"
"Well-yes! want to see this bank.
er fellow, and-I'm not SO BANKED
hungry, after ALL Well settle this
thing right now"
The afternoon sun was still an hour
high when Kirk Anthony came down
the hill from the Garavels' home and
crossed the meadow toward the forest
glade he knew so we'll.
Chiquita was there, huddled unon
the seat where they had rested togeth-
er. one foot curled beneath her like a
child, her head bowed down disconso-
lately From one brown hand, now
dropping istlessly. few wild flowers
had scattered. and her slim figure was
clad once more in the stiff, coarse
denim dress of blue. Her other hand
was toying with her beads mechanical
~, as II the fingers had learned their
task from long practice. Her dusky
eyes We're fast upon the lights that
wavered in the pool.
AS if to prove that the spot was
really peopled by kind spirits. gentle
voice seemed to whisper the news to
her and she turned to find him smiling
at her. She rose and met him with
her hands outstretched. her face trans
figured.
After time she leaned backward in
his arms and said gravely: "You see!
When one says many, many prayers
the good saints always answer The
padre told me that should never
cease until you came. but grew very
tired, senior"
"And you never doubted me?'
"Oh, no."
'I'm free. you know"
"Of course. What else were my
prayers for? Had my father allowed
| would have gone to your prison. but
he forbade it. so had no chDice But
every hour prayed that he might give
me leave. and think his heart was
yielding"
I'm sure of that" he told her. "for
have just come from him"
1t was some time later when the sun