Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1914-06-18

and he regarded her with gentle
kindness that was surprising. "l've
heard all about you and Kirk In fact.
I've known what was going on all the
time, for I've had man on his track
night and day. You may know him
Cltford3 Well, he followed Kirk that
night after the supper to your hus-
bond. but Arson didn't dare call him
to the stand at the hearing for fear
this Alfarez would perjure more Of his
black and tans."
$50 Clifford Is your man?'
"Yea. I took him Off my system and
sent him down here as soon as got
Kinks idiotic, impudent letter. The
old man began to sputter with indi2-
nation what DO you think he wrote
me, Mrs Cortlandt? He had the i'm
pudence to turn down good job Of
fered him because his wife might not
like our climate Thank God, be had
sensc enough not to do that!
Then you don't knowY
KNOW whatr'
That he Il marrieds
sD-nat1onr roared Anthony euYk
onsiy.
She nodded. "A Miss Gamvei. They
were married a-week ago" She broks
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 am. Now
now. try to face 1t squarely. All good
women are brave. and you're good
woman We both love him, and I
know we can save him IL we pull to-
gether."
Yes, yes!' She raised her drawn,
white face eagerly to his. at will
only take word, but | have been like
mad woman. l couldn't bear to give
him up, and when learned the truth
thought could let him-suffer. But
couldn't He is the first and only
man
II Know He patted her in way
that said more than words.
II couldn't have stood out much
longer
'sThen you have proof?" His face
was wild with eagerness.
"This. Take 1t quickly. only found
1t last night 1t had been mislaid in
the confusion. l meant to give it up,
really did" With clumsy fingers she
drew from the front OF her dress an
unsealed letter and handed it to him.
stephen was not Il bad man, you see,
and he had no intention of wrongng
nn innocent person"
Darwin X. Anthony's pallor matched
hers MS he read the sheet; then he ex-
claimed weakly: THANK God! Some
thing told me to come straight to you.
Something always tells me where to
find the heart Of things"
| Kirk was considerably surprised that
| afternoon when sergeant and two
| policemen came to his cell signifying
that he was to accompany them He
could not make out where they were
taking him, and, despite their unusual
\ politeness, they were dense to all in
| Quiries. The coach drew up ut last
before q large white building, and he
was told TO descend. Up flight OF
stairs he was escorted, his pulses
| Quickcning with apprehension. down a
long corridor and into IL large room.
4 where he saw Ittinnels. Colonel J0l-
son, Arson, Clifford. ii dozen or more
Pannmnnian officials nnd--he stopped
In his tracks rs his eyes fell upon a
huge. white crowned figure that came
to meet him.
A certain harsh yet tender voice pro-
nounc<.d his name. He felt his hands
crushed In his fathers palms. found
the old mans arm about his shoulders
and saw the deep Set steel blue eyes
he loved so we'll wet and shiny. A
sudden sense of security swept over
him. banlshing all his fears
my kid" the old man said. shak-
ingly. "H-how have they treated you.
/ Buster7" 1t was nickname he had
| given his son when he was sturdy.
round faced urchn Of eight.
.You came, didn't your" Kirk said.
In voice not at ull like his own.
"Of course came, the instant Cliff
ford cnbled me that these idiots had
arrested you. BY -! They'll sweat
loI SuLs' tA0W aic yoo any INV, MIN
Dammit you need shave! Wouldn't
they give you razor? Hey, Clifford.
Colonel 1olson. come here! These
scoundrels wouldn't give him shave.
I suppose you're hungry. too: we'll.
snm I. We'll be ont Of here in min
ute. then yon show the the best place
IN town, and we'll have decent meal,
just We two. the way we used to III
pay the bill. Greut Scott. But I've
missed you. Buster!"
.Watt, dad" Kirk was smiling. but
hta heart ached at his fathers emotion.
"l'm fail bird. you know. They
think I-ktlled fellow. But don't
care much what they think now"
That's all over" Clifford broke in.
"We've squared that. and you'll be
discharged in ten minutes"
certainly. "said the father "Cortlandt
shot himself. Anybody but blither-
Ing Spanish ass would have known it
at the start We have letter he
wrote to his wife an hour before. he
did It She just found it and turned it
over. She left here moment ago, by
the way. all broken up. She's great
woman. Kirk That's not all, either.
Clifford followed you that night and
knows you didn't go near Cortlandt.
Oh. you should have seen 'em jump
when we flashed 1t on 'em all at once,
and they learned who was!"
But those men who swore they ga "