Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1914-05-20
wits whirling in speculation.

She was greeted by gigantic old
man with a rumbling voice. He was
pacing back and forth with the rest
lessness of a polar bear.
"How do you do, Mrs. Cortlandt?'
he began at sight of her, his big voice
flooding the room. I'm sorry to dis
turb you under the circumstances.
knew your husband slightly, and I've
heard about you. 1 extend my sym
pathy."
She bowed. when did you arrive?"
"Just now. Came across in one of
those BANKED joy wagons-ffty miles
an hour. l know everything, madam.
What / didn't know before 1 landed /
learned on the way across the isthmus,
so don't let's waste time. Deuce of a
position for you to be in-I understand.
and all that-and I'm sorry for you.
Now, let's get down to business, for l
must get back to New York"
1t was impossible not to feel Darwin
K. Anthony's force. It spoke in his
every tone and action. 1t looked out
from his harsh lined features and
showed in his energetic movements.
He was a great granite block of a
man, powerful in physique, in mind
and in determination.
Gin what way may be of service to
you?" she inquired coldly.
81 want my boy" he said simply,
and she began to see that underneath
his cold and domineering exterior his
heart was torn by great distress.
You know all the circumstances of
course?'
ST do. That's why 1 came straight
to you. know you're the keystone of
the whole affair, so didn't waste time
with these other people. Kinks a
BANKED idiot and always has been. He
isn't worth the powder to blow to
excuse mel mean he's just a ne'er-
do-well. But 1 suppose I'll have to do
my duty by him. just had to kick
him out. Sorry didn't do it sooner"
eff you have cut him off why do you
care what becomes of him?''
Darwin *. Anthony's eyes dimmed,
but his voice rose fercely. "He's my
boy, and I've a right to treat him any
BANKED way 1 please. but nobody else
is going to abuse him! These Span
iards can't do it! I'll teach them to
lay hands on my-boy! l don't care
what he's done. They've got to givs
him up. And he's going back with
me. He's going home. T-I-want
him.
"Why have you come to me?" she
queried.
Because you must know the truth
if anybody does, and 1 want your
help" His voice softened suddenly,
and he regarded her with q gentle
kindness that was surprising. 'I've
heard all about you and Kirk. In fact,
I've known what was going on all the
time, for I've had a man on his track
night and Cay. You may know him
Clifford? Well, he followed Kirk that
night after the supper to your hus-
band, but Arson didn't dare cali him
to the stand at the hearing for fear
this Alfarez would perjure more of his
black and tans."
$50 Clifford is your man?"
"Yes. took him off my system and
sent him down here as soon as 1 got
Kinks idiotic, impudent letter. The
old man began to sputter with indig-
nation. what do you think he wrote
me, Mrs. Cortlandt? He had the i'm
pudence to turn down a good job 1 Of
fered him because his wife might not
like our climate Thank God, he had
cQncn onn11nh not ko do
'Then you don't know?"
know what?"
THAT he is married"
"D-nation" roared Anthony furi-
ously.
She nodded "a Miss Garavel. They
were married a-week ago." She broke
down miserably and hid her face in
her hands. He strobe to her with a
light Of understanding in his eyes.
Laying great hand upon her dropping
head, he exclaimed with wonderful
softness:
MY dear Mrs. Cortlandt, I'm very
sorry for you, indeed 1 am. Now
now, try to face it squarely. All good
women are brave, and you're a good
woman. We both love him. and |
know we can save him if we pull to-
gether."
Yes, yes!" She raised her drawn.
white face eagerly to his. 1T will
only take a word, but l have been like
a mad woman. l couldn't bear to give
him up, and when l learned the truth
| thought / could let him-suffer. But
couldn't. He is the first and only
man
81 know" He patted her in a way
that said more than words.
Il couldn't have stood out much
longer"
Then you have proofw His face
was wild with eagerness.
''This. Take it quickly. ! only found
it last night 1t had been mislaid in
the confusion. / meant to give it up,
l really did" With clumsy fingers she
drew from the front of her dress an
unsealed letter and handed it to him.