The Lakeland evening telegram., 1914-03-19
SYNOPSIS.

college friends, gets into a fracas in a
New York resort A detective Is hurt.
Jefferson Locke insnuates himself into
the college mems party,
Locke, aided by Kinks friend Higgins,
who thinks It Joke. drugs Kirk and puts
him aboard a ship bound for Colon. Kirk
b on the passenger list as Locke
Broke" and without baggage, aboard
the ship Kirk makes the acquaintance Of
Mr.. and Mrs Stephen Cortlandt
Cortlandt is In the American diplomatic
service and is going to Panama on mis-
sion. In Colon Kirk, as the son Of big
railroad man. is taken up by Weeks.
American consul.
Kinks father repudiates him. and Weeks
casts him out as an impostor Kirk meets
Allan, Jamaican negro canal worker out
Of a Job. Tie two are arrested by Colon
police for helping TO put out fire
Kirk and Allan are treated brutally in
Colon jail by young Alfarez, command
ant of police Allan's release Is obtained
BY the British consul. but Weeks refuses
to aid Kirk Mrs. Cortlandt gets phone
call
Mrs. Cortlandt obtains Kinks release by
using influence with Colonel Jolson, head
Of the canal. The Cortlandts are in
trigung to make Alfarezs father presi-
dent Of Panama
Kinks father casts him of finally. and
Mrs Cortlandt obtains for him position
on the Panama railroad under Runnels.
master Of transportation.
The girl tells him her name is "Chiqui-
ia" He learns later that that means only
little one" Kirk begins his work.
Mrs. Cortlandt has learned who Jefferson
Locke is
Locke (real name Wear) Is a swindler
and has disappeared His description fits
Kirk. The latter tries In vain In Panama
to learn something Of Chiquita and meets
Alfarez again.
Kirk wins the capital prize. $4,000 In
the lottery. He and Runnels make plans
for advancement The Cortlandts, hav-
ing turned from the older Alfarez, intend
to make Senior Garavel. banker. presi-
dent Of Panama.
Alfarez's son. Kinks foe. Is engaged to
Gertrudis. Garavels daughter. She IL
Kinks "Chquita-" He meets her again
at the opera through Mrs. Cortlandt's aid.
Kirk makes love to Chiquita- Edith
Cortlandt, infatuated with Kirk. goes rid.
ing with him frequently.
She avows her love for him. Their ride
and talk are interrupted by her husband
Kirk asks Garayel for his daughters
hand. The banker wishes her to marry
Afarex to advance his own ambitions.
Clifford, man from the States. asks
Runnels about Kirk
1T was my first memorial service.
Thought was going to see you alone"
"Oh, that is never allowed"
"Never7 How am going to ask you
to marry me?'
Miss Garavel hid her blushing face
behind her fan. Indeed! You seem
capable Of asking that absurd question
under any circumstances"
Il wish you would straighten me out
on some Of your customs"
She gave him an odd look. smiling
timidly.
"As for tonight, do you attribute any
meaning to my fathers request that
you QlQe WltH us
"Of course. 1t means wasn't black
balled at the first meeting, suppose"
She blushed delightfully."- again.
"Since you are so ignorant Of our ways
you should inquire at your earliest con-
venience. would advise you. per.
haps, to learn Spanish"
"Will you teach me? I'll come every
evening"
She did not answer, for the old lady
began to show curiosity, and conver-
sation in Spanish ensued which Kirk
could not follow. He departed with
feeling of exaltation. Beyond doubt
his suit was progressing-slowly. per-
haps, but still progressing.
His understanding of Spanish Gus
toms received considerable enlarge
ment on the following day. when he
met Ramon Alfarez outside the railroad
office. Ramon had evidently waited pur-
posely for him. and now began to voice
a protest in the greatest excitement
"You ave insolt me-" he cried fu-
riously. land now you ave the inso-
lence to interfere in my affairs" He
paused dramatically. Make it your
self ready TO fight on tomorrow"
whats the use of putting it off?
couldn't make your weight in that
time I'll do it now, if you say"
"No, no. 0nderstan' we shall fight
like gentlemen. shah keel you with
any weapon you prefer"
by Jove" Kirk exclaimed in amaze
ment. This is challenge. You want
to fight a duel! Why. this reads like
bookT He began to laugh, at which
Ramon became white and calm. lis
ten," Kirk went on, "I'll tell you what
wen do; We'll fight with fire hose
again. suppose you want satisfaction
for that ducking."
II prefer TO shoot you, senor." the
other declared quietly. Those mar