Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-01-31

Il ct ne termed smile. 1t Is thiS-I am
going to give you-my wife. You have
had her from the first. and now she is
yours"
For one frightful moment there was
no sound: even the mems breathing
was hushed. and they sat slack jawed
stunned. half minded TO believe this
some hideous. incredible Jest. Cort-
landt turned away gIoatingly
Kirk was the last TO recover his DOW
,ers. but when they did revive they
came with a prodigious rush He
plunged upward out Of his chair With
cry like a wounded animal. and tho
others rose with him. The table rock.
ed. something smashed, n chair WIS
hurled backward. The room broke into
instant turmoil Kirk felt hands upon
him. and then went blind with fury.
struggling In a passion too strong for
coherent speech. He was engulfed IN
chaos. He felt things break beneath
his touch, felt bodies give way before
/ him.
How or when Kirk left the room he
never knew. Eventually he found him
! self pinned in his chair, with Runnels'
| white face close against his own and
| other hands upon his arms. His first
frenzy quickly gave way TO a sickening
horror.
Its a lie! The mans crazy he
cried hoarsely; then. as his compan-
ions drew away from him, he rose to
his feet "Why are you looking at me
Ike that? l tell you it's a ID lie.
/ never
Runnels turned to the table and
with shaking hand put n glass TO his
lips and gulped its contents. Wade
and Kimb!e exchanged glances, then.
avoiding each others eyes. took their
hats from the hooks behind them.
Wait, Bring him back" Kirk
mumbled. III get him and make him
say it's a lie" But still no one an
swered. no one looked at him. God,
You don't believe it:"
I'm going home. fellows. I'm kind
Of SICK" Kimble said. One OF the
others murmured unintelligibly. ana.
wetting a 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 1
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 /
mans actions were not those OF a /
maniac. No, He actually believed |
and these fellows also. He wanted TO 4
shout his innocence at them, to beat 4
II into their heads.
One by one they took their hats and
went out. mumbling goodnight TO one
another. as If intending to go home
singly In order to avoid all discussion
Of this thing that had fallen among
them. Runnels alone remained.
You don't believe l did-that?" An
thony asked in a strained voice.
81 think do" There was a mis-
cradle silence. and then: ut isn't the
thing Itself. you know, so much as the
rotten-underhanded advantage you
took. II he'd been a stranger. now
Honestly. isn't IT trueE'
Kirk shook his head listlessly. 81
wouldn't lie TO you"
RunneIs drew n deep breath. ooh,
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 n last plea. Look here he cried.
You know Cortlandt. and you know
me. The man was insanely jealous.
I know 10 sounds weak. but it's the
truth. and it's all I can say. I'll 20
mad II you doubt me. And tonight OF
air 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.
Runnels 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
bis hand on Kinks shoulder. Take
L easy. old man. he said. 'I believe ]
rou- I've always known that they
lidn't get along together. although
well. won't try TO understand Il. He
nay not do anything further. and 9
.hese fellows won't mention what hap
,ened here. They can't" '
women are apt 20 be Jealous. aren't 4
hey. Runnels: What do you suppose
he'd doF'' 9
Don't worry about that. I'm think '
ng about Cortlandt II he finds out l
les mistaken what will be dog" $
He'll have 20 find out I'm going 20 !
ell him. His wife will tell him. Good v
;od. Do you see what an awful light
I puts ne IN; You don't doubt me. .
10 you really. old mani a
"No. but what q night this has been. Z
{ seems a year old. Come along. now. z
'ou must get out OF here. You must b
urn IN The walters are wondering
That THIS row f. nbort. think we'd O
etter take q walk" '