Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-01-31
CHAPTER xxrI,.
The Crash.

n speaking with his wife, FOL
after the dance she was
80 whisked away. leaving him
-Sfhing bot the memory OF an adorfng
hiSsr1i glance as she passed. With
Ruuuels and Cortlandt and the rest he
Vas driven 70 the Hotel Central, where
hey found very attractive table set
n A private dining room II was n
lively party. and Kinks secret elation
eaabIed him 10 play the part OF host
with enforced geniality. The others
,oined him in a hearty effort TO show
heir guest the high regard in which
hey held him. and II Cortlandt did
rot enjoy himself II was entirely his
own fault
Toward Kirk. however. he preserved
& peculiar attitude. which only the
Young mans self absorption prevented
lin from noticing. II he had been
Isss tubnant he must have felt the IN
natural aloofness OF the other mans
tearing. But even had be done so he
would doubtless have attributed IL to
Cor1landt's well recognized frigidity.
At the propitious moment Runnels,
Eho had reluctantly agreed 10 share
the social responsibility. made a little
speech. explaining that he and his
boys had been sensible from the first
q their guests interest in them and
we're deeply grateful for it They now
rendered him n token of their regard
IN form which he could preserve.
He handed a handsome loving cup
% Cortlandt. who thanked him appro-
priately. then waited courteously for
he party to break up. But Anthony
ruse, saying:
I simply have 10 say a word on my
Own account, fellows. for owe Mr.
C0rtIandt more than any OF you"
The object OF these remarks shot a
EEfft. questioning glance from his
tony eyes and raised a hand as IL TO
eheck him But Kirk ran on unheed-
ing:
I want % thank him before all OF
you for what he has done for me per-
sonally. When I landed I'm Panama !
got into trouble OF the worst sort, and |
Mr. Cortlandt got me out. he was my |
ban bond. he put me up at his hotel. |
ave me clothes and paid my way until |
got started / was a stranger. mind \
you. but he's been just like one of nv /
own people. and II I ever succeed in
doing anything really worth while IL
VII be due to the start he gave me"
though the words We're common
pace enough. they carried a sincere
message, and COrtlandt saw by the
faces about him that the others were
Pleased His own gaunt features
turned more Eallow than ever The
memory OF what he had heard on the
porch OF his own house a few after
Mons ago. OF what he had seen at
otner times. OF his wife's telItaIe be
naVior on this very evening. swept
over him tanning anew the suIlen
emotions he had cherished all these
months. How far would this fellow
aare to 90. be wondered? He dropped
his eyes 70 hide the fury in them.
l want TO give you a little remem-
trance Of my own" Anthony was
Speaking directly 10 him. 1T isn't
H1en. but II means a good deal TO me.
ahd hope IL will have some sort of
PERSONAL association for you. Mr..
eoFuandt' He drew from his pocket
plush case and took from Il a very
nanosome thin Swiss watch with the
ietters IS G." artfully enameled upon
The back.
Cortiandt accepted the gift mechan-
'Islly; then. as IT touched his flesh. a
.'aden color mounted TO his cheeks,
~ 10 recede. leaving them bIoodless
really didn't expect this he be
s-n slowly as he rose. Anthony eK-
.ssgerates; he f. too kind. But since
: nas chosen 20 publicly call attention
= our relations. I will confess that
nat be tells you Is all true. Through
assistance-partIy. at any rate-he
- made a man OF himself He has
- welcome at my house. At my
: .o.e' he has come and gone as be
--e-sed. Ike one OF the family. you
1'snt say But those are little things: !
= count for nothing" His tone |
ripped his hearers. and Anthony |
alfed uneasily, thinking this an odd
- OF accepting a gift.
Cneissping his long. white fingers. :
.o.uandt held up the watch 10 public ,
IN payment for my poor friendship I
!, H@s gwen ne this magnificent thing {
soid and Jewels. the finest ever
never counted upon such graft
= IL i too much. and yet a man {
-.not refuse the gift OF bis friend $
I. not seem ungracious. can hef
.-.eNhere In the orient they have q !
ION OF exchanging gifts. No man 3
- accept a thing Of value without
--lhS adequate return. and Il has al Z
- struck me as n wise practice" 9
1 tnrned full upon Kirk for the nrst Il
'He since be had begun speaking. and q
voice rose a tone as be said, ~
~ let the obligation rest entirely !
~ ne We have been friends. An \
~. and an going 70 R1re you q
.-ething IN return which bcye y
'zss4 highly. II would be counted Of b