The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-09

denly galvanized. He broke into etfu-
sive apologies for even so small a
delay as had already occurred. While,
to be sure. no power was vested IN
him. and his willing hands We're most
miserably tied nevertheless he would
so far exceed his authority as to
promise instant freedom to the prison
err He fastened forth to set in mo-
ton the proper machinery. and while
he was absent Kirk told his story. 1t
left the woman white Tipped and in
coherent. and reused even the icy C0rt-
landt to genuine wrath.
"Of COURSE" the latter said. "Afarez
will prove by his men that it's all i'm
agination on your part and that your
injuries were sustained at the time Of
your arrest. He'll assume a righteous
indignation and start Spiggoty inves-
tigaton. You see. his father is the gov
error of Panama province and one of
the strongest men in the republic, so
Ramon will probably make good his
position Even so, you may recover
damages"
81 don't want damages" Kirk re-
piled II want to get him out alone
some time"
For heavens sake. don't think of
it," Mrs. Coitlandt exclaimed. "All the
American influence on the isthmuS
wouldn't help you then. Fifty men
would perjure themselves to convict
you"
NO That method doesn't work
here" her husband agreed. You're
lucky to escape so easily He will ar
range bail, never fear, and you will
probably not come to trial. He'll never
forgive you. of course. but that won't
matter to you"
The first part of Mr.. Cortandt's pre-
diction was soon proved true. for the
sick alcalde recovered sufficiently to
appear on the scene within half an
hour. Then, after much signing of Off
cial documents and certain other for
malities, Kirk Anthony walked out of
the Colon Jail in company with his
friends.
In the midst of Kinks expressions of
gratitude for the timely intercession Of
Cortlandt and his wife, the former
surprised him by saying in a genuine
ly hearty tone:
"My wife has told me all about you,
Anthony. and l want you to come over
to Panama as my guest in the hotel
until you hear from your father
When Kirk informed him of the
cablegram that had cast him adrift
in Panama, Cortlandt replied reassur-
ingly:
"Oh. we'll, your father doesn't under
stand the facts in the case, that's ALL
You sit down like sensible person
and write him fully"
Seeing a warm second to his invita-
ton in Mrs. Cortlandt's eyes. Kirk ac-
cepted gracefully, explaining. You
know this is the first time was ever
up against hard luck, and don't know
just how to act"
We've missed the 1855, SO we will
have to return the way we came" said
Cortlandt I'D like to stop at Gatun
on a business matter of some import
ance. and if you don't mind half
hours delay wa,ll do CO"
They pursued their way to the sta
ton. But here an unexpected en-
barrassment arose. AS they made
ready to board Colonel Jolson's motor
car they were annoyed to find that
Allan insisted on going too. He in
sisted. moreover. in such eXtravagant
fashion that Mrs. Cortlandt at last
was moved to say. For heavens sake,
let the poor thing come along" And
thereafter the Jamaican boy sat on the
step OF the machine.
Once more the little automobile took
on the dignity of regular train and
sped ont Of the network Of tracks be-
hind Colon. As it gained speed Mrs
Cortlandt, to divert her guests mind
from his recent ordeal, began to ex-
plain the points of interest as they
passed She showed him the old
French workings where a nations
hopes lay buried. the mechanical ruins
that had cost Il kings ransom. the
Mount Hope cemetery. whittier daily
trains had borne the sacrifice before
science had robbed the fever of its ter
rors.
will they really finish the canal?'
he asked. Wont something happen?"
1T is already dug. The rest is mere
ly matter Of excavation and concrete.
The engineering difficulties have all
been solved. and the big human ma
chine has been built up. What is more
important, the country is livable at
last, Over at Ancon hospital there is
quiet. hard working medical man
who has made this thing possible
When the two oceans are Joined to-
gcther, and the job is finished. his will
be the name most highly honored."
at must be nice to do something
worth while" Anthony unused vaguely
ITO do anything" his companion OBJ
served, with a shade of meaning. then