The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-02-21
CHAPTER XVIII.
A Challenge and a Confession.

tSI WI was very trying TO De the
I8l target of so many glances.
EN|SAI Instead of resuming their
E2sYsS conversation the entire as
semblage of Garavels waited calmly
for their caller to begin. and he real
lied in panic that he was expected
to make conversation. He cast about
madly for a topic.
His host helped him to get started
and he did fairly we'll until one of
the Misses Garavel began to translate
his remarks to the old lady and the
ferocious cousin from Guatemala. AS
their replies were not rendered into
English be was left stranded He
knew that his whole salvation lay in
properly impressing his auditors. so
a painful monOlogue
The night suddenly turned off swell
teringly hot. perspiration began to
trickle down his brow. his collar be-
came a tourniquet. and he cast APP
pealing glances at the silent figure hid
den demurely behind the RUSTY old
lady in the black harness. The look
of mingled pity and understanding she
gave him somewhat revived his faint
ing spirit. and he determined to stick
1t out until the family were ready to
retire and allow him word with her
alone But idle hope. Gradually it
dawned upon him that they had no
such intention.
BY now his collar had given up the
struggle and lain Imply down to rest
The whole experience was hideous,
yet he understood quite well that these
people were not making sport of hiIn.
All this was only part of their for
eign customs They were gentlefolk.
reared to Il different code from his
that was all-and since he had elected
to come among them he could only suf-
fer and be strong.
What he ever talked about during
that evening he never quite remem
bered. When it came time to leave
he expected at least to be allowed IA
| farewell word or two with Gertrudis,
| but instead he was bowed out as cere-
moniously as he had been bowed in
and. finding himself at last in the
| open. sighed with relief. He felt like
| a paroled prisoner. but he thought of
| the girls glance of sympathy and was
| instantly consoled He crossed slowly
to the plaza, pausing a moment for a
| good night look at the house, then, as
| he turned. he caught glimpse of a
| figure sinking into the shadows of the
| side street and smiled indulgently.
| Evidently Allan had been unable to re-
sist the temptation to follow him. But
when he had reached his quarters he
was surprised to find the boy there
ahead of him.
How did you beat me homer" he in
CURED.
Il have been waiting h'impatiently
ever since you went out. To be sure.
| have had one little dream
Didn't you follow me to the Cara
| vels'?'
"Oh boss. Never would do such.
Seeing that the negro was honest.
Kirk decided that somebody had been
spying upon him. but the matter was
of so little consequence that he dis
missed it from his mind.
Although Runnels had spoken with
confidence of the coming shakeup III
the railroad organization. it was not
without a certain surprise that be
awoke one morning to find himself &C
lively in charge of the entire system
He lost no time in sending for Kirk
who took the news of their joint ad
vancement with characteristic equa
nimity.
ic ri
understand" the acting superintend
ent cautioned him. Were all on pro
baton, but if we make good I thinl
We'll stick
III do my best to fill your shoes"
And | have the inside track OF
Blakeley. in spite of Colonel Jolson, 81
I'm not alarmed The break CAM
we chaps are in control it's the chanc,
of our lifetimes.''
Kirk nodded You're entitled to al
you get, but I've never quite under
stood how | managed to forge ahea,
so fast. I've been mighty lucky"
"You don't really call it luck, d
your Runnels looked at him curl
ously.
I'm not conceited enough to thin
I'm a downright genius"
why, the Cortlandts engineered ey
erything 1t was they who arrange
your promotion to the Office in the frs
place. and they're behind this last al
fair. They have stood back of you a
every step and. incidentally, back o
me and the other boys"
when you say they you Of cours
mean she"
| "0f COURSE One has to recogniZ