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THE ROCK ISLAND ARGUS. aATURDAY, JANUARY 81, 1914 9 f ' H THEH ji NE'ER-DO-WELL A Romance of the Panama Canal BY REX BEACH COTTHKiHT. 1B10. 1911. T HAKPfl BKOTWCTS 8 CHAPTER XXIIi. Th CJih. TEK had pn further chance of speaking with bi.i wife, for after tbe dance nbe was whisked a war. leading blm Btfiing hot the memory of an adoring. jjful glance as she passed. With BaaD'. and Cortlandt and tbe rest be w driven to tbe Hotel Central, where they found a very attractive table set to a private dining room. It was a ilrely party, and Kirk's secret elation esabled blm to play tbe part of boat with unforced geniality. Tbe others jriaed blm In a hearty effort to show tirfr guest tbe high regard In which they be!d him. and if Cortlandt did vt enjoy himself it was entirely his a a fanlt Toward Kirk, however, he preferred a peculiar attitude. whih only tbe jtcex mans seJf absorption prevented ym from noticing- If he bad been less Jubilant he most have felt tbe un natural aloofness of tbe otber man's bearing. Bat even bad he done so be would doubtless bare attributed it to Cortlandt's well recognized frigidity. At tbe propitious moment Itnnnels, who bad reluctantly agreed to share the social responsibility, made a little peer a. explaining that be and bL boya bad been sensible from tbe first at their guest's interest in them and were deeply grateful for it. Tbey now tendered him a token of their regard ia a torn wbicb be could preserve. Be handed a handsome loving enp to Cortlandt. wbo thanked blm appro priately, then waited courteously for tbe party to break up. But Anthony rose, saying: 1 limply hare to say a word on my ewa account, fellows, for I owe Mr. Cortlandt more than any of you. Tbe object of these remarks shot a rwtft. questioning glance from bU tony eyes and rained a band as if to 'beck him. But Kirk ran on unbeed tor: 1 want to thank him before all f 7ti for what be has done for me per sonally. When I landed In Panama I FX Into trouble of tie worst sort, and Hr. Cortlandt got me out. lie was my UU bond, be put me up at bis hotel, rare me clothes and paid my way until I got started. I was a stranger, mind yos, bet he's been Just like one of my wa people, and if I ever succeed In doing anything really worth while It HI be due to the start he gave me." Though tbe words were common Paee enough, they carried a sincere wsaage. and Cortlandt saw by the faces about him that tbe others were pleased. His own gaunt features turned more sallow than ever. Tbe roeaory of what be bad beard on the Porch of bla own house a few after Bows ago. of what he bad seen a otter times, of bis wife's telltale be aiTlor on this very evening, swept war Bun. fanning anew tbe sullen motions b4 bad cherished all these Booths. How far would this fellow re to go. he wondered? He dropped 'J- to hide tbe fury in them. "I want to give you a little remem or raj own." Anthony was petklng directly to him. "It Isn each, but it means a aood deal to me. 64 I hope it will have some sort of PonaI association for you. Mr. Cortlandt" He dre w from bis pocket - iua case and took from K a very "Msonie thin Swiss watrb with tbe "8. C." artfully enameled upon Dark. Cortlandt accepted the gift mechan then, as Iftojcbed bis fesb, wen color mounted to his cheeks T to recede, leaving them bloodless i rea:iy didn't expect this." be be- Pn a.owy ss be rose. -Anthony ex PTatt; be is too kind. But since Das cboven to publicly call attention r relations. I will confers that wMt be te!la you is all true. Through . ' aaiiatance partly, at any rate be made a man of himself. lie baa welcome at my house, at my : he baa come and gone as be -Jd. like one of .the family, you "'-oi ay. Bat those are little things i count for nothing. His tone PP1 b!s bearer, and Anthony d uneasily, thinking this an odd r or accepting a gift. -ocaaplng h! long, white fingers. -anat held up the watch to public great ralne by some. Once more be Payment fur my poor friendship given me tbla magnificent thing n Cold atd J rels. the finest I ever ' never counted upon such gratl-5- H Is too much, and yet a man aaot Teru.e the gift of bla friend aeem ungracious, can be? wbere In the orient they have a ""torn f exchanging rffta. No man T accept a thin of ralue without "og adequate return, and It baa al !"n tru'-k me as a wise practice." turned fu:i upon Ki.-k for the first lnce be bad begun speeklcg. and - vote, rose a tone aa be aald. "I 't let the obligation rest entirely me. We have been friend-. An-7T- I am going to give you "Wjig In return which I hove "b'xa'T. U would be counted of , paused and drew his lips hack In tha grimace of mockery. It could no long iiiu n sin no. it is tins I am going to arlve you my wife. You have bad ber from the first, and now she Is yours, Forgone frightful moment there was no sound: even the men's breathing was bushed, and they sat slack Jawed stunned, half minded to believe this some hideous. Incredible Jest. Cort landt turned away gloatingly. Kirk waa the last to recover bla pow er, hut when they did revive they cane with a prodigious rush. He plunged upward out of his chair with a cry like a wounded animal, and the- other rose with him. The table rock ed. something smashed, a chair wri burled backward. Tbe room broUe Into Instant turmoil. Kirk felt bands upon blm. and tben went blind with fury atrugg'lnjs In a passion too strong for coherent speech. He was engulfed in chaos. He felt things break beneath bis touch, felt bodies give way before bim How or when Kirk left tbe room be never knew. Eventually be found bim self pinned in bis chair, with Runnels white face close against bis own and otber bands upon bis arms. His first frenzy quickly gave way to a sickening horror. "It's a lie! The man's crazy" be cried hoarsely; then, as bis compan ions drew away from bim, he rose to his feet. "Why are you looking at me like that? I tell you it a a d d lie! I never" Runnels turned to tbe table and with shaking band put a glass to bis lips and gulped its contents. Wade and Kimble exchanged glances, then avoiding each other's eyes, took their hata from tbe books behind them. -Wait! Bring bim back!" Kirk mumbled. "I'll get blm and make him ay it's a lie." But still no one an swered, no one looked at blm. God! You don't believe It?" -I'm going borne, fellows. I'm kind of sick." Kimble said. One of tbe others murmured unintelligibly, and. wetting a napkin, bound up bis baud, which was bleeding. They continued to watch Kirk as If fearful of some In sane action, yet they refused to meet bis eyes squarely. There was no sym pathy In their faces. The knowledge of what these actions meant came to blm slowly. Was It possible that bis friends believed this incredible accusatiou? As be began to collect himself be saw bis plight more clearly. His first thought Lad been that Cortlandt was insane, but tbe man's actions were not those of a maniac. No! He actually believed and tbeee fellows also. He wanted to shout bis Innocence at them, to beat it Into their beads. One by one they took their bats and went out, mumbling goodnight to one another, as if Intending to go home singly In order to avoid all discussion of this thing that had fallen anion them. Runnels alone remained, "You don't believe I did-that?" An tbony asked in a strained voice. "I I think I do." There was a mis erable silence, and then: "It Isn't tb thing Itself, you know, so much as tbe rotten underhanded advantage you took. If he'd been a stranger, now Honestly. Isn't It true? Kirk shook his bead listlessly. "I wouldn't lie to yon." Runnels drew a deep breath. "Oh come, now, the man mut have known what be was saying. Men don't do things like that on suspicion." -He misunderstood our friendship, said Kirk heavily, tben roused himself for a last plea. "Look here!" be crid. -Ton know Cortlandt. and you know me. The man was insanely Jalou I know It sounds weak, but it's tbe truth, and It's all I can say. I'll go mad If you doubt me. And tonight of all" He broke off sharply. "My God! I'd forgotten that I'm married Suppose Gertrndls bears of this!" An thony seized bis temples In despair. Runnels took a sudden Illogical deci sion. He never knew exactly what had Influenced biro, but bis whole past knowledge surged up In him with a force that he could not relt. He laM bis band on Kirk's shoulder. "Tato It easy, old man." he said. "I believe you. I ve always known that tbey didn't get along together, although well. I won't try to understand It. n may not do anything further, and these fellows won't mention what hap pened here. Tbey can't." -Women are apt to be Jealous, aren't tbey. Runnels? What do you suppose abe d dor Don't worry about that. I'm think ing about Cortlandt. If be finds out he's mistaken what will be do?" -He'll have to find out. I'm going to tell him. His wife will tell blm. Good God! Do you see what an awful light It pet a tee In? You don't doubt me. do Ton really, old man?" No. but what a eight this has been! It seems a year old. Come along, now. Yon must get out of here. You must turn In. Tbe wa!trs era wondering what this row is ebo-t. I thick we'd better u.ka a jra!X" I In passing through the deserted lob by or tlie hotel they saw Clifford Idling almut. But they were ti unu-h 1 orleil to wonder what hnd kept blm up so late. By the clock across the plaza they saw It was two hours after nililnlffbt an tliey stepped Into the j-troet. Then, finding no coaches in sislit. they set out to walk toward An con. both hiully In need of the open air. A moment later Clifford followed them, taking pains to keep at a dis tance. Now that the full import of Cort Inndt's accusation had sunk Into Ills mind. Kirk lapsed Into a mood of kiiI len bitterness. He said little, but his set face worried his companion, who was loath to bid bim good nigtit even when tbey were close to the Tivoll. After they had parted Runnels was upon the point of going back and offer ing to spend the night with him. but thought letter of It. Instead of passing through the oIBVe Kirk mounted to the porch of the Ti voli and entered his room from the outside, as he and Clilquita bad done earlier that evening. He found Allan watlng and bursting with a desire to gossip, but cut him short. "Cot my street clothes. I'm going out." He tore the white tie from bis throat as if it were choking him. "l"ve been hurt. Allan. I can't explain, tor you wouldn't understand, but I've leen hurt. Come along." The negro's lips drew apart In an ex pression of apelike ferocity, and he be- Jit? "Hi'i yours now. You can hava hi nr.." gan to chatter threats of vengeance, to which Kirk paid little heed. A few mo ments later tbey went out quietly, and together they took the rock road down toward the city, the one silent and desperate, the otber whining like a houud neariug a scent. Edith Cortlandt did not retire im mediately upon ber return from the ball. Her auger at Anthony's behavior kept ber wakeful, and the night bad turned off so dead and humid that sleep was in any case a doubtful possibility. She was still sitting in ber room at a late hour when she beard the outside Coot close and Cortlandt's footstepa mounting the stairs. . She was glad be bad his own room and never entered hers at such an hour, for even to talk with him in ber present state of mind and body would have been more than she could bear. She was unreasonably, annoyed there fore, when be came boldly Into her chamber without even kuocking. -Rather late for good night," she said coldly. "I've Just come from Anthony's sup per party." His voie made her look round sharp ly. She saw that his linen, ordinarily stiff and immaculate, was sodden and crumpled. U!s collur limp, his forehead g'Ntcnliig with drops of moisture. "What ails you. Stephen?" sbecricd. "Have you lxren drinking?" "No. I didn't drink much. I brought yon something." He took the loving cup from Its flannel bng and net It upon tliu table, "They gave me this. "And this too." He tossed the watch with its enameled monogram into her laii. "Ah! That's very handsome." "Yea. I thought you'd like It- It' from Anthony." He laughed, then shuddered. "Why. you seem excited over these souvenirs. Yon surely expected" He broke in a thing be rarely did while she was speaking: "Anjhony made a speech when be gave it to me a very nice speech, full of friendship iuil love and gratitude. He repented Kirk's words as he re membered them. "What do yon think of that?" Mrs. Cortlandt's eyes widened. This was not the man she knew. At thl. moment be ' actually Insistent, al must overtK-arlng. and he was regard ing ber with that same ironical sneer that hrd rouxed her anger earlier In the evening. e- begsa to chuckle, apparently without reason. His shoulders shook feebly at first, then more violently. His flat chest heaved, and be hiccough ed as if from physical weakness. It was alarming, and nbe rose, staring at blm affrigbtedly. He continued to abudder and abake in uncontrollable hysteria, bnt bla eyes were bright and wstcbfnl. "Oh, I I took It all In I let him p-put tbe noose around his own neck and tie tbe knot. Then I hung him." Ilia convulsive glgcling waa terrible. forecasting, as It did. his Immediate breakdown. 1 Stephen."" a! exclaimed. In a shocked tone, convinced that h!s mind rr going. .-You art ill. Tou seed a doctor. I will call Joceel." She laid her hand on his arm. "Won't you go to your room and let uie call a doctor?" "Not et. Walt! He told them what I had done for him. I acknowledged it all and made them hear It from my lis too. Then" lie paused, and she steeled herself to witness another spec tacle of bis pitiable loss of self control. But instead he grew Icy and corpse like, with lips drawn back In a grin. -I played with him the way you have played with me. Think T' Her face went suddenly ashen. "Well. I told him befor? them all that I intended to give him something In return, and I did. I gave him you." "God! You didn't tell blm that! You didn't say that before those ment Ob-b!" She shrank back, drawing the gauzy silk robe closer about ber breast. Then she roused to sudden action. Seiz ing him by tbe shoulders she shook ! him., roughly with far more than her, natural strength, voicing furious words which neither of them understood. ! "Oh. I did It." he declared. "He's yours now. You can have him. He's been your lover" She flung him away from her no vio lently that he nearly fell. "It's a lie! You know it's a He!" "It's true. I'm no fool." She beat her bands together distract edly. "What have yo i done? What will those men think? Listen! Y'ou must stop mem quickly, lell tuem U s not so." He seemed not to hear ber. "I'm going away tomorrow," lie said, "but I'll never divorce you. no matter what you do, and I won't let you divorce me either. No, no! Take him now if you want bim, but you'll never be able to marry him until I'm gone. And won't die soon I promise you tbat, I'm going to live." "You can't go" "There's a boat tomorrow. "Don't you see you must stay and ex plain to those men? My God! They'll think you spoke the truth. They'll be lieve what yon said." "Of course they will," he chattered shrilly. -That's why I did it In that way. No matter what you or he or I can do or say now they'll believe it forever. It came to me like a flash of light, and I saw what It meant all in a minute. Do you understand what it means, eh? Listen! No matter b w you behave they'll know. Tbey won't say anything, but they'll know, and you can't stand that, can you?" ' "You have, no evidence." -No? What about that night at Ta boga? You were mad over the fellow then, but you didn't think I saw. That day I caught you together In the Jun gle have you forgotten that? Didn't you think It strange that I should be the one. to discover you? Oh, I pretend ed to be blind, but I followed you ev erywhere I could, and I kept my eyes open." "You saw nothing, for there was nothing." "I waited because I wasn't strong enough to revolt until tonight. Oh, but tonight I was strong! Something gave me courage. CHAPTER XXIV. A Question and tha Anawar. N all their married life Edith Cortlandt had never known her husband to show such stubborn force. Failing to dominate him as usual, ehe was filled with a strange feeling of helplessness til and terror. "You had no right to accept euch evidence," she stormed. "Bah! Why try to fool me? I have your own words for it- The other aft ernoon I came borne sick with my head. I was on the gallery outside when you were pleading with blm. and I heard It ell. But be was growing tired of you. That, you know, makes It all the more effective. He smiled in an agonized fury. , "You cur!" she cried, with the fury of one beating barehanded at a barred door. "You had no right to do such a thing even if I were guilty." "Right. Aren't you my wire?" The look she gave bim was heavy with loathing. "That means nothing with us. I never loved you. and you knw It. You never could hRve suc ceeded without me. All you have Is due to me even your reputation In the service. Your success, your influ ence. It is nil mine. The debt Is all on Tour side, as you and I and all the world know." "Who- made me a manikin?" he de manded, with womanish fury, a fury that had been striving for utterance these many years. I had ambitions and hopes and ability once not much perhaps, but enough before you mar ried me. I was nothing great, but I was getting along. 1 had confidence. too, but you took It away from me. You you absorbed me. You had your father's brain, and it was too big for me. It overshadowed mine. In a way you were a vampire, for what I bad you drained mo of. But tonight, when he got up before those otber men and dacgied my shame before my eyes, I had enough manhood left In me to strike back. Thank God for tbat at least! Maybe it a not too late yet for me to be a man. Maybe if I get away from you and try" His voice died out weakly. In bis face there was a mis erable half gleam of hope. -I never knew you felt 'ike that. I never knew yon could feci that way," abe said in a colorless voice. "But you made a terrible mistake." "Do you mean to say you don't love h.'m?" "No, I have loved him for a long time. I can't remember when it be gan." She spoke very listlessly, look ing past him as if at a long familiar picture which she was tired of con templating. "I never knew what love was before: I never even dreamed. I'd rive my life right now to undo what you have done. Just for his sake, for he Is Innocent. Oh. don't sneer; It's true. He loves the Garavel girl and wants to marry ber. I'm going to tell you the whole truth now without spar ing myself. It began. I think, at Ta bogn. tbat night when he kissed me. Jt waa the only time he ever did such a thing. It waa dark, we were alone. I was frUhtened. and It waa purely , Impulse on his part But it woke me np. and nil at once I knew how much be meant to me. When I discovered that he cared for that girl well, if you overheard you must know. I frighten ed Garavel into dismissing him, and 1 set out to break him. Just to show him that he needed me. Tonight he scorn ed me. That a the truth. Stephen. If we believed In oaths I would swear it" "You are shielding him. You want to make me out wrong." But she knew be knew. "Those are the facts. Heaven knows they are bad enough, but they are by no means so bad as you thought, And I'm your wife. Stephen. That thing yon did was brutal. Those men will talk. I was guilty no doubt in my thoughts, but I'm young, and you have no right to blight my life and my rep utation yes, and yours by a thing like that. We will have to meet those men. What are you going to do 7" "I don't know." be said. -In all my life I never felt but one moment of power, and that, it seems, was false. For years I have longed to show my telf a man. and now what have I done? What have I done? I am no monster. Why couldn't you be con sistent? Why did you go halfway? Why couldn't you be all good or all bad and save me this?" "All women are half good and half bad." " can't blame you for not loving me, I suppese." he mumbled. "No woman of your kind could love a man like me." "Those men!" 6he said In a way that made him writhe. "Walt until I think. I must think." "Perhaps in tbe morning we can see a way out." -That's it" He nodded. "You go to bed and I'll think. I'm trying to think now. but this beat is suffocating me and my bead is tired." Despite the breathless oppression of the night, she shivered. "I never can meet them now, and I don't see how you will dare to, knowing that you were wrong." -Don't!" he pleaded. "The other was bad enough, but this Tell me what to do!" "I can't I don't know myself. All I can see is that those men will never cease to believe, no matter what you tell them." As she prepared for bed an hour later she heard bim still stirring about in his quarters, but afterward she did not detect his cautious fAftsteps when he stole out of his chamber, closing the door softly behind him. k - I "Eh. there you are!" Alfarez cried as be caught sight of KhU. -You are ar rest'!" "What for?" "Gentlemen, yon will be so kind as to Reeve the names. yes? The Jodge will desire to make Inquiries regarding 'hose sopper to Senor Cortlan' las night" At that moment the building began to shake and reverberate as No. 5 roll ed lu from Colon, bearing John Weeks. American consul, and Sir.1 Williams of St. Louis in one of the forward coach es. As the two burned out turougn tbe turnstiles- they found tbe street blocked by a considerable crowd, evl dentlyy interested in something quite apart from tbe arrival of tbe morning train. But before they could learn the cause out from the nearby bulldin came Ramon Alfarez, accompanied by several policemen and a group of rail road employees, ''among whom was Kirk Anthony. "There he is!" wheezed the consul. clutching at his companion's arm -Get him now before his friends. Kirk was roused from a hfvy, senseless slumber the next mornln ; by a vigorous rapping at his door. He opened the door and Runnels' rushed in. "Where did you go r'tcr T left you last night?" "I came here, of course." As the memory of the previous night swept over Kirk be scowled. "Did you stay hare?" -No. I went out again, and was out nearly all night trying to walk it off. Runnels face blenched, and he drew back. . "Then, of course, j-ou know?" "What?" "About Cortlaridt He's dead!" -Dead? When? VThere? now did it happen?" "Nobody knows lust how. He was found on the sea wall near Alfarez's house, shot" "Shot! Good Lord!" "Did you see Cortlandt again after I left you?" Runnels swallowei hard. Kirk whirled about and faced him "Great heavens! No! See here, that idea is ridiculous!" Runnels sank weakly into a chair and mopped his face. "When you said you'd gone out again it knocked me flat understand?" "I can prove where I was. for Allan was with me. I couldn't sleep, so I tried to walk off my excitement No, no; I couldn't do a thing like that! I thought last night that I could, but I couldn't really." "I'm afraid Wade will tell all about the party if we don't stop him." "Then we'd better hunt him up." Kirk resumed his dressing, while Run nels consulted his watch. "No. 5 Is due In twenty minutes We'll probably find him at the office." Together they hastened to the rail road building, Runnels telling all he knew of the tragedy as they wert along. Cortlandt's body, it seemed, had been found about daylight by a Spt? goty pollcoroan. who had identified it Becoming panic stricken at the impor tance of his discovery, he bad sounded the alarm, then reported directly to the governor, whose house was close by. Tbe wholo city was alive with the news. The police were buzzing like bees. Rumors of suicide, murder, rob bery, were about but no one seemed to know anything definite. "It was suicide." Kirk averred, with conviction. "The man was insane last night and that accounts for what he said about me. He's been sick for a long time." -If those boya will only keep their months Bhut," Runnels said anxiously. "There's no telling what these Splg goties might do If they heard about that row." -Cortlandt was an American. -But It happened In Panama, and it would be their affair." Although it was Sunday, the four young fellows who had taken part in the entertainment on the night before had gathered in the office and at tbe appearance of Runnels greeted him eagerly. Toward Kirk, however, they maintained a disheartening constraint The acting superintendent began to caution them tersely. f "It's a bad business." said Runnels, -and it's something I for one don't want to be mixed up . In. I've beard rumors already about some sort of a quarrel at our party, so I'm afraid yon fellows have been talking." Wade acknowledged it recklessly "Yes, I'll answer for my part, and I'm not going to make any promise of se crecy either. Into tbe office behind them came Ra mon Alfarez and two Panamas police man. oatvldntl7 sergeant. . "You are arrest! Williams thrust the policemtTt and the curious onlookers aside and. laying hold of Anthony, cried In triumph: "Well, Mr. Jefferson Locke, I want you." A little man in blue uniform was at tempting to take tbe prisoner in cbarge, but the detective disregarded him. Runnels elbowed his way forward with a question. . "Oh, I've got a warrant for him, Williams declared. "What for? Well for one thing, he embezzled $80,000. and I'm going to take bim back." -Eh"?. Wat is this?" Alfarez bustled into the conversation. "Embezzle J He is then a fief?" -Exactly. If you're the inspector I'll ask you to make this arrest for me. I believe we're on foreign ground." "I regret you 'ave arrive so late." smirked Alfarez. "The gentleman is already arrest' for the murder of Senor Cortlan. He will first answer to that I assure you." It was during :e lunch hour tbat Ramon Alfarez called at tbe Garavel home, finding tbe banker and his daughter still loitering over their mid day meal and discussing the topic that bad electrified the whole city. "So fine a man," the father was say ing. "He was. indeed, my good friend It is shocking." "Yes, and to think be should have been killed in this cowardly manner!" Killed! Is it believed that he waa murdered? Caramba! I supposed he had shot himself. That was the gos sip an hourago." . . . "Upon leaving the Tivoll last night Senor Cortlan uined with six of his friends at the Central. There was drinking. The waiters have been ques tioned; also one of the' men who "was present lias recounted to me what oc curred. It seems that for . a long time Senor Cortlan' has been jealous of his wife. Cortlan' openly accused his ene my before all the others. It was most dramatic, it was terrible! There was a scene of violence. The other man made threats." Garavel breathed an incredulous ex clamation. '-.... Ab, bnt wait! It was Senor Cortlan's best friend, too. the man for w4iotn he had accomplished runny favors, whom be accused." He noted with mingled anger and satisfaction the pallor- tbat was creeping into, the girl's, checks. You would never guess. It was I hesitate, and yet you are bound to learn, my dear friends It was this Ant'ony." "It is a lleT said the girl 1 quietly. "He loved no one but me.' "Gertrudis!" The banker was shock ed beyond measure at what he consid ered his daughter's Jealousy. "Those are not nice words." -I do not believe It." Ramon bad not counted upon such n spirit and. his anger getting the better of blm. be sneered: "I should not bare spoken. I did not know you still care." "She does not care," Garavel - de clared loudly. -Ah, but I do. I love him very dear ly." The two men were upon their feet In an Instant, staring at ber. tbe elder lu amazement, the younger with rage and resentment blazins from his counte nance. - "Silence" thundered the banker. -Yonder stands your aflianced hus band." "It is a mistake" she persisted gently. "No, no. no! There ia no mistake." chattered Ramon." "Those other men have told all. and your Ant'ony Is now In the carcel under guard.. It was I who saw to his arrest: Nor Is that all. n la not at all tbe man be pretended to be, even bla name la false. Tbla morning there arrived an American officer of police to arrest him on oTlier charges. He is a thief, it seems, hav ing stolen $30,000 gold from bis em ployers. Ob. there U no mistake. Within tbe hour I have been talking with this detective, and be baa the papers of proof. Is not that enough?" "It Is. indeed!" gasped the father. ' "But it Is not true," maintained-lbe girl simply, and her eyea wereas steady as altar flames. "Take mjf to him, please. I must go at once toCibe carcel." ....... , Bnt he only, answered her wi.n a stare of amazement . "Go!", be mur mured, after an instant "Have I lost my senses?" ' , "Yes. I must go. for he Is my bus band. We were wed last night." -Mother of God!" the banker ejacu lated hoarsely, and sank, into the seat from which be bad arisen. Ramon was staring from one to the otber, his head turning Jerkily. "Oh. yes! The Judge from Colon married us during the dance. I would have liked a church wedding, but that will come later. Tbe Senor Ronnels and his wife were there also, and tbey will tell you. It made me very happy." Her face was transfigured by a look that left the two men so choice but to believe. ! "A civil marriage!" stammered Ra mon. i -A civil marriage, indeed!" said Gar avel In a choking voice. "So tbat is where you were when I believed ro:i to be dancing! Buj; I will not have It. understand! You are betrothed. You have given your word to Ramon." "Ah, but I never loved him. You compelled me to consent because you said you could not be president unless I married him. And that was not so. Ramon deceived you. Now it is-all right. You will be president, and I can be happy." Ramon's suspicion kindled on the in stant He turned upon the banker. "So I begin to see! That was a trick, then, to betray my father." But wait!" Gertrudis exclaimed sharply. "Did you not trick us also? Did you not use the general, your fa ther, to make me give up the man I love? Which of us, then, la the bet ter?" " - Andres Garavel spoke threateningly. menacingly, to his daughter. it was no marriage, ana it wuuioi stand. I will have it annulled. The man was a -criminal, a fugitive, even when be forced you to marry" No, no! You cannot do that It was I who asked him to marry me. The girl lied- tremulously, panic stricken at the threat "Before God. I am hi3 wife!" she maintained. And if this marriage has a flaw then I will stand beside the prison gates and, re marry him as he comes forth." - "He will not come forth," Ramon de clared harshly. "Oh, yes! And now will you take me to him?" "5 "No!" her father bellowed. "You are my daughter, you are under my roof, and here you shall stay until you "give up this madness and this man. I for bid you to go near him. Come! ?Do you promise?" She inclined her dark bead. "I must learn more of this af fair at once. You will find your senses, miss, or if you do not you will spend your life In meditation and prayer that much I promise you." w "I, do not wish to enter a convent" she said, with white Hps. "I wish to be happy. Wien Keerk is free I abatl go to him. Now. if you please,,, I think I shall go away." She turned and went out of the big high ceillnged room, and not until she had reached the hall did her feet waver or,, her ii drooD. i-n CTo Be Continued Next Wedneslay.) : Public Notice. O. January, 23, 1914. To The Stockholders of the Rock Is land Sand and Gravel Co.: Notice is hereby given that a special meeting of the stockholders of the Rock Island Sand and Gravel compan - wlll be held at the- rificrs of said com pany, in the city of Rock Island, Coun ty of Rock Island, state of Illinois, on the "nd day of March, A. D. 1914, at th& hour of 8 o'clock p. m., for the pur pose of considering and voting upon the question of "increasing the capital stock of said compauy. .r i C. J. LARKIN, WM. H. EDWARDS, WM. H.-M'CONOCHI2L GEO. RICHMOND, AUGUST HENKE. CORNELIUS DONOVAN, - JACOB 1MHOF, H. J. LARKIN, Secretary. (Adv.) All tho news Argus. all " the time The FEDERAL INCOME TAX FORMS For the Return of Annua? Net Incomes of Individuals The government lias just Issued Form No. 1040, which every citi zen or resident of the United States with an income of $3,000 per year or over will be required to fill out and file with th Inter nal Revenue Collector on or be- i fore March st next, covering the statement of his or her income for the period between March 1st and December 31st, 1913. We are prepared to furnijh cop ies of this form on request XiUtru.& Stabrrta" V:. Stocks, Bonds, Mortgages, 4 Peoplea National Bank Building, Rock Island, III. ff Far Org. VHHB, .HornKmrl ad etUr Drag Uut. ta ToUeua Habit fcl THE KEEUT IWSOTuTE, Dwijht. UK?