The Lakeland evening telegram., 1914-03-19


to her room.
A moment later the latticed wooden
blinds at the end of the parlor swung
omen. and through the front wlndo"
stepped Stephen Cortlandt. Behlnd
him was a hammock swung In the
coolest part of the balcony. The pupils
of his eyes. ordinarily so dead ana
expressionless, were diStended ike
those of man under the influence OF
a drug or suffering from violent head
ache. He listened attentively for an
instant. his head on one side. tnen,
hearing footsteps approaching from the
rear of the house. he strolled into the
hall.
A maid appeared with a tray, glass
and bottle. II could not lind 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 a more unpleasant
night than the one which followed. In
the morning he went straight to Run
nes 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 was in the af-
fair?"
Certainly ! said it was your idea.
1t affected him deeply too. | never saw
chap so moved over little thing.
Kirk thought quickly. Perhaps Edith
had spoken rashly in her excitement
and her husband did not know her
feelings after all. Perhaps he only
suspected In that case it would never
do to withdraw 1t would seem like a
confession OF guilt.
If he has accepted that ends it. l
suppose" he said finally.
What has happened?" Runnels was
watching him sharply.
Nothing. l merely wish hadn't
entered into the arrangement. that's
all I've ordered a 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 Cortlandt has put
us where we are. You understand,
when speak of him include his wife
too Well. l like him. Kirk. and Id
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 squarely in
the eyes as he answered: II haven't
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 fact. didn't know until last
night that I'd been accepted"
Then just forget what l said.
was going north on a south bound
track-I ran ahead of orders. really
do congratulate you, old man. Miss
Garavel is-well. I won't try to do her
justice-I had no idea. Please par.
don me-"
Certainly. Now that it's settled I'm
not going to let any grass grow under
my feet"
why, say! Garavel is to be the
next president! Jove, you're lucky!
Cortlandt told me last night that the
old fellows candidacy was to be an.
nounced Saturday night at the big
ball. That's how he came to accept
our invitation BE said his work
would be over by then. and he'd be
glad to Join US after the dance. Well,
well! Your future wife and father.in.
law are to be his guests that night, I
suppose you know"
Then they have patched up a truce
with Alfarez? I'm glad to Aear that"
TITS all settled. believe. This dance
Is big special event The American
minister and the various diplomatic
gangs Will be there, besides the promi.
nent Spanish people. It's precisely the
moment to launch the Garavel boom.
and Cortlandt intends to do It. After
It's over our little crowd will have SUD.
per and thank him for what he has
done for US. Your promotion came Just
IN time. didn't it? Talk about luck,
We ought to hear from Washington
before Saturday and know that our
jobs are cinched. This uncertainty is
fierce for me. You know. | have a
wife and kid, and it means a lot
When you give Cortlandt that watch
you'll have to present him with a low.
ing cup from the rest of US. think
it's coming to him. don't you:"
lid rather you presented it,"