The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-02-20
CHAPTER XVII.
The Rest of the Family.

K1ryylSyI called at the Dank ana round
- not the least difficulty in gain
ing an audience.
81 remember you quite well. sir"
said Garayel-" La Tosca.' Since you
are friend of Mrs. Cortlandt | shall
be delighted to serve you
Il have something very particular to
say to you" Kirk began difidently.
but I don't just know how to get at
it.
Garavel smiled graciously. Il am a
business man.
This isn't business blurted Kirk;
its much more important. l want to
have it over as quickly as possible. so
III be frank. | have met your daugh-
ter. Mr. Garavel'-the bankers eyes
wfdened in look of disconcerting in
tensity-''and am in love with her
sort of shock, isn't it? 1t was to me.
I'd like to tell you who | am and any
thing else you may wish to know
MY dear sir. you surprise me-if you
are really serious. Why. you have seen
her but once-a moment, at the the
aterv'
Il met her before that night. out at
your country place. | had been hunt
ing and on my way home through the
woods stumbled upon your swim
ming pool. She directed me to the
road"
But even SOP
We'll. loved her the first instant
saw her."
II knew nothing of this. If you had
reason to think that your suit would
be acceptable. why did you not come
| to me before?'
~ couldn't didn't know YOUR
name. / was nearly crazy because
| couldn't SO much as learn the name of
| the girl lovedv' Kirk plunged con-
fusedly into the story of his meeting
! with Chiquita.
THAT is a strange tale" said Senior
| Garavel when he had finished. IF you
| would tell me something about your
self might know better in what light
| to regard this affair."
"Gladly-though there isn't much to
tell. Just now I'm working on the
/ p. r. r as assistant to Hummelshine,
master of transportation. you know.
| like the work and expect to be promot-
ed. have little money-just enough
| to give me fresh start if / should lose
out here. and-oh. well. I'm poor, but
honest. ! suppose that's about the
size of it." He paused. vaguely con-
scious that he had not done himself
| justice. my father is railroad man
in Albany. n. Y"
I'm what capacity is he employed.
may ask?"
Kirk grinned at this. aid. seeing
copy Of Bradstreet's on the bankers
table. turned to his fathers name.
which he pointed out rather shame
facedly. Senior GaraveI became in
stantly less distant
'Of course the financial world knows
Darwin X. Anthony" said he. Even
We modest merchants of the tropics
should seek to win success upon his
own merits is greatly to his credit. |
| congratulate you. sir. upon your ex-
cellent progress
Il ought to tell you. sir. that | am
not on good terms with my father ut
present In fact he has cast me
of. That Is why | am here support
ing myself by hard work. instead of
living in idleness. But I'm beginning
10 like the work-and I'll make good
I'll do it If only to show my father
his mistake. That's what care about
most don't want his money. It's
easier to make money than | thought
But l must succeed. for his sake and
my own"
May | inquire the cause of this
estrangement:"
"Oh, general worthlessness on my
part. suppose. Come to think of it.
must have been a good deal of a cross.
never did anything very fierce.
though He smiled little sadly
H . quick light of thought flashed
through the bankers eyes. He was a
keen judge Of men.
well. Well" he said. with a trace
OF impatience there is no need to go
into the. matter further. Four pro
posal is iElpossibIe-for many reasons
it is impossible. and yet-your spirit
is commendable-"
Does that mean you won't even al
low me to see your daughter?"
1T would be useless
But | love Gertrudis." said Kirk.
desperately
Garavel looked a trif1e plying
You are by no means the first he
said: Il have been besieged by many
who say always the same thing-with-