The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-03-04

He turned rhll upon klrK FOR the first
time since he had begun speaking. and
his voice rose tone as he said. Il
can't let the obligation rest entirely
upon ME We have been friends. An
thOny. and | am going to give you
something In return which I have
priced highly. 1t would be counted of
great valne by some" Once more he
paused and drew his lips back in that
grimace Of mockery. 1t could no long
er be termed smile st Is this-I am
going to give you-my wife You have
had her from the first. and now she is
yours"
For one frighrfui moment there was
no sound: even the mems breathing
was huShed and they sat slack jawed.
stunned, half minded to believe this
some hideous. incredible jest. Cort-
landt turned away glOatingly.
Kirk was the last to recover his pow
ers. but when they did revive they
came with prodigious rush He
plunged upward out of his chair With
a cry like a wounded animal. and the
others rose with him The table rock,
ed. something smashed. a chair was
hurled backward The room broke into
instant turmoil. Kirk felt hands upon
him. and then Went blind with fury.
struggling in passion too strong for
coherent speech. He was engulfed i'll
chaos, He felt things break beneath
his touch. felt bodies give way before
hin.
How or when Kirk left the room be
never knew. Eventually be found him
self pinned in his chair. with tunnels
white face close against his own and
other hands upon his arms. His first
frenzy quickly gave way to sickening
horror.
Its lie. The mans crazy" he
cried hoarsely: then. as his compan-
ions drew away from him. he rose To
his feet. Why are you looking at me
like that: | tell you it's IA ID lie:
| never
Runnels turned to the table and
with shaking hand put glass to his
lips and gulped it's contents. Wade
and kimble exchanged glances. then.
avoiding each others eyes. took their
hats from the hooks behind them.
Wait. Bring him back Kirk
mumbed. I'll get him and make him
say it's lie" But still no one an
swered. no one looked at him. God
You don't believe it?'
I'm going home. fellows. I'm kind
Of sick" kimble said. One of the
others murmured unintelligibly. and.
which was bleeding. They continued
to watch Kirk as If fearful Of some in
sane action. yet they refused to meet
his eyes squarely. There was no sym
pathy in their faces.
The knowledge of what these actions
meant came to him slowly. Was it
possible that his friends believed this
incredible accusation: As be began tn
collect himself be saw his plight more
clearly His first thought had been
that Cortla ndt was insane. but the
mans actions were not those of a
maniac. No. He actually believed
and these fellows also. He wanted to
il into their heads.
One by one they took their hats and
went out. mumbing goodnight to one
another. as if intending TO go home
singly in order to avoid all discussion
Of this thing that had fallen among
them. RunneiS alone remained.
You don't believe | did-tbat:" An
thony asked in strained voice.
era bile silence. and then: 1t isn't the
thing itself. ysn know. so much as the
rotten underhanded advantage you
took If he'd been stranger. now
Honestly. isn't il true:''
Kirk shook his head listIessly. 81
wouldn't lie 70 you"
RuunelS drew a deep breath. oh.
come now. the man must have known
what be was saying Men don't do
things like that on suspicion"
He misunderstood Onr friendship"
said Kirk heavily. then roused himself
for a last plea Look here" he cried,
Won know Cortla ndt. and You know
NE The man was inSanely Jealous.
| know il sounds weak. but its the
truth, and it's all / can say. I'll go
mad if you doubt NE. And tonight OF
ALI He broke off sharply NV
Continued Tomorrow