Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-01-07

| ny H"W tney were out or the cut and
once more upon the main line at Bias
oosipo. heading back toward the Pa.
ci1c.
| You asked me tn tell you something
about her" Runnels continued. I'm
not sure my information Is entirely
correct. but. knowing who she Is.
think I understand why she Is In Pan.
ANA. n Is polItics--big politics. The
I Spiggoties have an election next year.
and IL is necessary TO get our wires
well laid before IL comes on. General
Alfarez will probably be the next pres
ident."
'Alfarez, Not Ramon?"
His father. You know we Ameri-
cans occupy a peculiar position here.
set down as we are in the midst of an
alien people who hate US. oh. they
hate US. all right-au except a few OF
the better class
"whyf"
There are a good many reasons.
For one thing. there's a sort of racial
anupathy. Besides, when We stole
Panama we made the Colombians sore.
and all Central America besides. for
they realized that once we Yankees
not only dominate this country. but
all the neighboring republics as WELL"
II had gathered something OF the
sort-but / had no idea there was so
much in II. But we don't want these
jungle countries" said Kirk.
That's where you're wrong. Ry and
by we'll need room to expand. and
when that time comes we'll move
south. Meanwhile our farsighted gov
eminent is smoothing the way, and
there's nobody better fitted for the pre-
liminary work than Mr.. Stephen Cort-
land Of Washington. n. c., husband
and clerk of the smartest woman in
the business Of chaperoning admins
trations. He's the igurehead behind
which she works. She's a rich woman.
she loves the Came-ber father was the
greatest diplomat OF his time. you
know-and she married Cortlandt so
she could play ii. Any other man would
have served as well. though I've heard |
that he showed promise before she |
blotted him out and absorbed him. But |
now he's merely her power Of attor- !
ney."
Anthony pursed his lips into a wills !
tie Of establishment.
Its been good thing for him."
Runnels ran on. evidently warmed to |
his subject. shes made his reputa-
ton; he has money and position. For
my part. I'd rather remain insignifi-
cant and have a real wife"
Don't they love each other?'
Nobody knows. She's carved out OF
Ice. and as for him. well. gratitude is
2 good deal like rust-in time IL de
stroys the thing IL clings To. l suppose
I'm talking too much. brit others would
tell Won the same things"
1t was with quite different eye that
Kirk looked upon his host and hostess
that evening. To his genuine liking for
The latter was now added worshipful
and n boyish qualification
II her regard. which rather put her at
distance.
Its all settled" said he. I'm go
ng to work I'm a few days as train col
ector."
WHAT" Mrs. Cortlandt turned upon
i'm sharply. "Runnels didn't offer
-ou that sort of position:" Her eyes
we're dark with indignation. Kirk
promptly came to the defense OF his
lew friend.
NO, i asked for it.
"Oh. / see. Well. he will do much
etter by you than that
II don't want anything better to
tart with
But. my dear boy. a collector is
lerely a conductor. He takes tickets"
Sure. / can do that. I might fail
I something hard"
mo. no. no, I'll see that you don't
lil. Don't you understand
II understand a lot more than did.
IRIS. Cortlandt That's why I don't
ant to rob some chap OF a job he's
ntitled 10. and / sha'n't. There's a
,llector quitting shortly"
us that really the reason. or do you
link the work will be easier:"
Kirk stirred uncomfortably. "Oh.
m not trying TO dodge anything" he
aintained. "On the contrary, the
ost amazing thing has happened
,mething can't quite understand
i really want 10 work. Funny, isn't
d: 1 didn't know people ever got that
ay. but-1'd like 10 help build this
NAL"
But a conductor! Why, you're a
sntleman."
My dad was brakeman"
Don't be foolish. Runnels talks too
uch. He'll offer you something bet
r than that"
But Kirk was obdurate. I'D prefer
start in as confidential adviser to
e canal commission. OF course, but
be frost and my father would
y 4 told you So I must make good
r his sake. even II It's only counting
rs or licking postage stamps. Be II
5es. IL isn't exactly the square thing q
take money for work that somebody s.
Sc does for you" q
Mrs. Cortlandt laughed with a touch W
annoyance.
II think a few weeks in cap and
lttons will cure you of this quixotic e
ntiment. Meanwhile I must admit 1t II
refreshing" She stared unseeingly Il
the street lights for a moment. But b