Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1914-05-21
BY

Il did more. I broke with Alfarez
because OF what his son did to you.
tuggled the politics of this country,
threw him over and took Garavel-
Gar0vel! My God, what u mockery!
But I won't let you'll won't let that
girl spoil my work. fostered this
quarrel between Jolson and the super
intendent. and I've used tunnels to
break trail for you. Why? Ask your
self why! oh. Kirk" she cried. you
mustn't marry that girl! III make
you a great mani"
"YOu seem to forget Cortlandt," he
said DULY.
She gave scornful laugh. You
needn't bring Stephen In. He doesn't
count. doubt IL he'd even care
"l'm not going to listen to you," he
cried. Il suppose I've been IL fool, but
this must end right here
"You can't marry that GIRL" she re-
iterated, Historically. She was half
sobbing again. but not with the weak
ness OF q woman; her grief was more
like that OF a despairing man.
"For heavens sake. pull yourself to
gcther." slid Kirk. you have SER
want to get ont. want to think 1t
over. pm-tlreadfully sorry. That's
0ll con seem to think about now"
He turned and went blindly to the
door. leaving her without look be
hind.
hnH hn hns ,k,<,f vSsrr rlY INfNv
riding gloves. removed her hat and
dropped them both upon the nearest
chair, then crept YEARLY up the stairs
to her room.
A moment later the latticcd wooden
blinds at the end Of the patio. swung
open. and through the front .ndnw
stenIed Stephen OnsNiantft. Behind
him w0e hammock swung In the
coolest part OF the balcony. The pupils
of his eyes. ordinarily so dead and
eSpressionless, were dLstcndcd like
those Of u man under tho Influence of
% drug or suffering from violent fAsM-
ache He listened ntttNtively tor an
instAnt, his bend on ono side, then.
hearing footsteps approaching from the
rear OF the house, he strolled into the
hail.
A maid appeared With tray, a glass
and bottle. II could not find the
medicine" she said, "but brought you
some absinthe. 1t will de.lden the
pain. SIR
He thanked her and with shaking
fingers poured the glass full, then
drunk It Off like SO much water.
you're not going out again In the
heat, siry'
"Yes. Tell Mrs. Cortlandt that am
dining at the University club"
Kirk never passed u more unpleasant
night than the one which followed. In
tho morning he went straight to Run
Me6 wtfh the skAtenle1t that ne could
taie 90 past h tho little testimonial
they Ind intended 10 give Costlalsdt.
but tie COO late now to hack ont
aaw him at tho University club last
evening aud fixed tho date for Satur-
dry night
"Ilad pon tell him 1 was in the af-
fary'
Certainly. said IL wos your idea.
II affected him deeply too. never saw
a chap 80 moved over q little thing"
Kirk thought quickly. Perhaps Edith
had spoken rashly in her excitement
md her husband did not know her
feelings after oil Perhaps he only
suspected In that case 1t would never
DO to withdraw. 1t would seem like a
confession of guilt.
"lf he has accepted that ends 1t, I
suppose" he said finally.
What has happened2. Runnels was
watching him sharply.
Nothing. merely wish ! hadn't
entered into the arrangement. that's
all. l'vo 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. hut 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 I speak Of him include his wife
too. Well, like him. Kirk. and I'd
hato to SEQ him made unhappy. II a
chap loves n married woman ne ought
TO DO man enough to forget it. Rotten
way to express myself. OF course
Kirk looked the speaker squarely in
the eyes az 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"
Tho devil.
Its n fact didn't know until last
night that I'd been accepted"
Then Just forget what 1 said. I
was going north on south hound
track-l ran ahead of orders. 1 really
10 congratulate you. old man. Miss
Garavel is-we!l. won't try to do her
justico-l 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 tho
next president! Jove. you're lucky!
cortlandt told me last night that tho
osd fellows candidacy was to be an
lssliAei Saturday night ut tho big
bail. That's how he came TO accent
OF invitation He said his work
would he over by then. and he'd be
glad 20 Join us after tho dance. Well.
WhG Your future wife and father-in