The Lakeland evening telegram., 1914-03-19

But | could understand better what
you are talking about if / knew JUS
what this difficulty is
why. this silly engagement Of
yours Don't pretend to be so stupid.
Ramon Alfarez heard that same re
port and very courteously invited me
to wait few minutes while he killed
me- It's tremendously tlattering to bt
linked up with Miss Garavel. of course
but haven't asked her to marry me.
But you've seen her. You have
called at her house"
Sure. Twice. ut the invitation OF
the old gentleman All the little Cara
vels We're lined up like mourners."
"And you dined there last night. Is
that all you have seen of herr
"N-no. I've seen her at Las Savan
mas That's why went hunting sc
often"
At this confession. which Kirk deliv
cred with sheepish reluctance. Mrs
Cortandt drew herself up with an ex
preston of anger.
Then this has been going on fol
some time" she cried why. Kirk
you never told me"
why should Il"
She flushed ut this unconscious bru
tality, but after a moment ran or
bravely: But why did you let it go sc
far? Why did you let them commit
you:"
Am | commtted?'
Her look was half offended. half In
credulous Are you trying to be dis
agreeable or is it possible you don't
know the meaning of those invitations
to call and to dine with the family. an(
all that? Why. they expect you tC
marry her 1t is all settled now, ac
cording to the Spanish custom. The
whole town is talking about it"
| II hope you're not Joking" said Kirk
"Jove. I'm knocked clear off my
| pins 4 tremendous wave Of excite
ment surged over him. $50 that's
what Alf;1cz meant. That's what she
meant last night when she told me t(
look up He broke off suddenly, fol
Edith's face had gone chalk white
But. Kirk what about me?" she
asked in a strained voice.
There was deathlike silence in the
| room.
You can't love her." said the won
an. "Why. she's only a child. an(
she's-Spanish."
They stood motionless, facing eact
other At last Kirk said gravely ant
deliberately:
"Yes. love her better than anything
in the world, and | want to marry her
| could give up my country, my dad
anything for her."
Pressing her goved fingers to hel
temples, she turned her head blindly
from side to side. whispering as if te
herself.
what will become of me?"
Don't" he cried in panic and cas1
hurried look over his shoulders
you'll be overheard. Where's Cort
landt?"
"At his club, suppose. l dom
know-I-don't care You've been dis
honest with me, Kirk"
Don't act this way" he ordered
roughly. I'm terribly fond Of you, bu1
never knew
"You must have known"
II knew nothing. ! chose not t
think. What l saw I forgot. I sup
posed you merely liked me as I nkei
you"
"You say you didn't know. Ther
what about that afternoon in the Jun
gle! Oh. you're not blind. You mus
have seen a thousand times. Every
hour we've been alone together Nv,
told you, and you let me 60 on believ
ing you cared have no pride.
am not ashamed It's too late fol
shame now. Why. even my husband
knows"
With an exclamation be seized he,
by the arm. "You don't mean thatr
he cried fercely. But she wrenchet
herself away.
"Why do you think made a man O
you! Why did force you up and vi
and over the heads Of others? VIII,
are you In line for the bes. position OF
the railroad? Did you think you hat
made good by your own effortsT' Sh'
laughed harshly. II took Runnels ant
Wade and Kimble and the others tha
you liked and forced them up Will
you. so you'd have an organization
that couldn't be pulled down"
"Did-did You do all thatY'
II did more. broke with Alfare,
because of what his son did to you.
juggled the politics Of this country,
threw him over and took Garavel-
Garavel. My God. what mockery
But l won't let you'll won't let thai
girl spoil my work. fostered thi;
quarrel between JolSon and the super
intendent. and I've used Runnels t
break trail for you. Why? Ask your
self why. Oh. Kirk she cried. ''yor
mustn't marry that girl. I'll make
you a great mani"
You seem to forget Cortlandt." ht
said duly.
She gave a scornful laugh. "Yor
needn't bring Stephen in. He doesn'
| count | dnnht il he'd even care"