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About Independence monitor. (Independence, Or.) 1912-19?? | View Entire Issue (Feb. 20, 1914)
THE Is to- IWIMj rMTIM NE'ER-DO-WELL A Romance of the Panama Canal BY REX BEACH COPVIIGrlT. 1W0. 1011. BY HAIPM ft BROTHeM "L'un t of iii.iu. minnels tnlk too much. HeN offer you something bet ter tliiin that." But Kirk wan ohiliimte. "I'd prefer to xtiirt In h confidential adviser to tin- canal commission, of course, hut I'd lie a 'fniNt.' uml my father would mi) "I told you no.' I must make good for his sake, even If It'll only coiiutlng curs or .licking pontage Htiimps He ilili'n. It Isn't exactly the nquare thing to tuke money for work that somebody else does for you " Mrs. Cortliimlt luugtied with a touch of nriiioviiin .. "I think a few weeks In cap and bullous will cure you of this (jiilxotlc sentiment Meanwhile I hiuhI admit It In refreshing." She stared unseolngly lit tho street lights for a moment. "Hut see here. Kirk, don't the collectors live 111 Colon'" "l don't know," be replied, startled and fluttered by her first use of bis given lot me "I'll look It up tomorrow, you know I-Mr. Cortliuidt and I will be In Pan ama, and I (irefer to have you here. You wee. we can do more for you." A little Inter she broke Into a low liiugh "It seems strange to go driving with a conductor " CHAPTER X. A Night at Taboga. KSI'ITK his great contentment in Mrs. Cortlnndt's society Kirk found himself wnltlng with growing Impatience for the duties to begin. Curiously tills feeling was somehow con- face Uirty. The landing was thronged, and at night of the newcomers, loiterers gnth ered from all sides a pirate throng shouting a dozen dialects and forcing Kirk to buttle lustily for his lug page Stepping Into a skiff, they were rowed to a launch, and a few moments later were gliding swiftly around the long rock rib that g-iinrds the harbor, a copper hued hnndlt at the wheel, a Nubian giant at the engine and an evil yellow faced desperado sprawling upon the forward deck. Even before they had come to anchor at Taboga Island a dozen boatmen were racing for them and crying for their patronage. At the water's edge they saw a tiny village nestled close against the mountains. Its tiled roofs. rust red and grown to moss. Its walls faded by wind and weather to delicate mauves and dove colors and greens impossible to describe. The launch, when it came to rest seemed suspended In nlr. and beneath D Ills M euou4 li tcl with the thought of Edith her self Why this nhnii4 . so he did not trouble to !ii(iiire They had become the best .if k-xkI trii nils, he told him self, a consummation for which be had devoutly wished. yt foe some Indefi nable reason lie was dissatisfied. lie decided that he needed exercise 1 1 1 . I determined to take a tramp thri'ueli the country, but on the even liiu elore i he day he had set for his ev iir-hui hl inits ere upset by a note from .Mrs. Cortlandt, which the l it i u (landed him. It rail: I'i'ir Kirk- Stephen fiaa srfsnKerl an o'lt'orf fur all liner el us. a nit we are niun:.:iK en you f.i t,. morrow. It wfll bo r..t:v lr! picnic, with all the delight- f"' 'i - -r. fnrta el Utah iift'tuni Vim u:- ll l to klUOl Wilflti UU IM KOIIlIf tllltll W I vll i..r ..u at 0. Faithfully nml iinntei-l-mi.-l; ,niu i'lHTII COItTLANOT. The rc.-ip.ciit of this kind luvit.-itiou los-e I if .i-itle. with n gesture of Imptt tliMi. e. Tor the moment he ex pert cu. e.f -i kiiel of boyish resentment at havini; hi- intentions thwarted that see;.. .1 oui ,,f proportion to the cause. Hut the eui'itloii soou passed. Ttie next morning Kdltu appeared upon the hotel porch. She was alone. Where's Mr (Vrtiandtr he In quired. "Oil. some men arrived last night (rum I .u. us liv I 1'iMo and telephoned that they must see hltn today on a matter of importance. I shall have to make up to you for his absence If I sm able." "Where Is to le tho scene of our revel 'f" "Taboga," she said, with eyes spar kling. "You've never leen there, but It's perfectly gorgeous. Please cull a coach, uur boat Is waiting, and don't sit on the lunch." Kirk oUued. and they went clatter ing dowu the deserted brick street Kditb leaned buck, with a sigh "I'm so glad to net away from that hotel for a day. If you only knew it. Kirk, you've oi.-.l.ed the political cal culations of the I'auama Conservative party." "I didn't know I had ever even rock ed the txutt." "It runs hack to your affair with liatluui." !;eu::. ii.il t!it effect itr "Kat'ier At any rate It gave in ei cm f.r sett!! tMnjrs In motion There had been some doubt aUmt the ui: :ter for a Uu.g time, and I whs only too gl.-ut to e . ! tuy Itiihience In the rls'ht ! rectlou. ! -x tVs fs a pi -file to iu rue limited t- .i nd. at. J I ere we are tail ing I'oilti, .- We mustn't he so e rlous. S .'l:oe! -i o-it. and It's vacation. I want to ri-t.,,, ., ,, ,,, j,,,. n,j Slowly He Picked Hia Way Ashore. !t lay an entrancing sea garden Ou e the engine had stopped its clatter a sleepy, peaceful silence settled over the harbor, unbroken by wheel or whistle, for In Tnhoga no one works and there are no vehicles. "What a wonderful pbive!" exclaim eil the young man' fervently. "Why. it's like a dream It oinl he real!' then, as tlie boatmen renewed their begging, "I w icr which barge gen tlein.-itt I'd hoM-T hire " "Take the little boy. please" Kdliii called to au urchin who was manfully struggling with a pair of oars twice ln own length, whereupon: the older bout men began to shove off with main scowls "Our choice has offended these getiitn bandits." Kirk observed as he helned her to a scat "When shall we tel the lad to bring n ofT?" "Four o'clock." answered Mrs fort landt- "I nrrangisl wtth tlie captain to he ready at that hour. so. you sec we have the whole day ahead of us. Across the limpid shallows they gild d. bravely propelled by their nine year-old oarsman, but when the how ui men- skin graicu upon the twttom There was no real uiej were aim seine y arils from the I reserve- no sacriti shore. "Looks as if we'd have to wa.te," said Kirk, then called to one of the nearby boatmen to lend the child a hand. Hut -he I'ci'mv readied grut'.Jy In nuii' unintelligible j -u "t film to gather l. i .li his ai ms Then for the first time --li" f --It his strength as her body leu lied to his. Siowiy he picked his way asii.ire while she reclined In his embrace, her arms about h!s neck, her smooth cheek bnishic: liis. Wheu he deposited her gently upon her feet he saw her face had gone white and that she was trembling Mis own f.ne was glowing as he wad l back to fetch the lunch basket and his footgear. I'niler the circum stances he had done the only natural, the only slble thing, yet It had quoerly perturbed them hnth. The two visitors explored the village, even to the ipiaint. tawdry chapel, with its impossible blues and rusted gilt, and noon found theni eager to in vestigate the contents; of their lunch basket. Taking a random path tip the hHI. they came at last to a spring of cool water, and here they spread their nicul under a mango tree bent beneath tons of fruit The afternoon sped quickly. If at times Kirk found his companion re garding him with a strangely timid, half defiant look, he refused to connect It with the episode of their landing. Promptly at 4 they came down the drunken little main street and out upon the beach. Hut no launch wag In sight Ilello: Where's our boat?" exclaim ed Kirk. "The captain told me he'd be readv at 4. Perhaps he has run over to Tabo- gullla or"- She hesitated with a trou bled frown "You told him tn wait?" "Distinctly." Seeing nil idler In the square above, she questioned hltn in Spanish. "This man says tlie launch left for Panama two hours ago. They went on a Sunday spree He says they came ashore and bought a lot of liquor. and he heard them quarreling later." That means we'll have to get an other boat." "I don't know where we shall find one. . Neither do I, but there must be some sort of craft that plies back and forth regularly." "Only once or twice a week, I be lleve. and It belongs to the sanitarium. Perhaps we'd better wait awhile; our men may come back." At lust, as the sun was dipping Into a bed of gold. Kirk broke out: 'Gee whizl We've got to do some thing. Sir. Cortlaudt will be getting worried." "In all probability he won't know anything about It until too late to come for us He Is dining with those people from liocus. and may not get back to the Tivoll before midnight.'' "Nice tlx we're in:" remarked An thony. "I'd like to lay hands on that captain." We may havetostay hereall night." "Well, at least we have a haveu of refuge. They'll take us In at the hos pital " "1 don't care to ask them. There's some one up there I don't wish to see. I That's why I didn't go near the place today." lie hiu.ghed to hide his embarrass ment. "I'm w lering -what people will sav." Oh. you mustn't be troubled iiliout that It isn't your fault, von know. iinyhow. lieshlcs. people won't say anything I'e.-au.-e they won't know tnything client It if we stay away from i bat sanitarium." "It's ge'fins along toward dinner time." he said, "so let's see wluit we can I:: 1 In the wav ol fivd." Tln-y ti.!..i.ed out iu:. the untight d street an-1 began their sc i oh. but. seen close at ham!, the cocking ar raiigeineuts of Ta illicit proved i.i.t ml all .-ac.ive. li:,; c c;. ;;. t.ay I, mi!,, I a decent looking pi.i e. t lore tliev were t iken i: and. after .1:1 mter-nl nah'e watt. fun. I was et Is-f-Te to. on HriK your iicik nan impatient at this hysterical behavior, be seized her by tlie arm. "Oh. I'm so frightened!" she breath ed, and he felt her tremble. She lifted her white face, and her eye were luminous in the gloom. IJefore he realized what he was do ing his arms had closed around her and his lips had met hers. It may have been the romance of the night, the solitude, the intoxicating warmth of her breath. At any rate, he lost hig head and knew nothing save that she was a woman and he a man. As for her, she off ered no resistance, made no sign beyond a startled sigh as their Hps came together. But. Impulsive as his action had been, It was no more sudden than his recoil. He released her and stepped back, crying: "Oh. my Ood! I I didn't mean that. Forgive me. Please." She said noth ing, and he stammered desperately again: "You'll hate me now. of course, but I don't know what ails me. I for-1 got myseir you everything. It was unpnrdonnble, and I ought to be shot." lie started off down the blind street. his whole body cold with apprehension and self disgust. "Do you intend to leave me here In the middle of this" "No. no! Of course not. I'm rattled. : that's all. I've Just got a cowardly : desire to flee and butt my head against the nearest wall. That's what I oughtj to do. I don't know what possessed me. 1 don't know what you'll think of me." AVe won't speak of It now. Try to compose yourself and find our lodg ing place." "Why, yes, of course. Ml see that you're fixed up comfortably, and then I'll get out" "Oh, you mustn't leave me!" she cried In a panic. "1 couldn't stay in that awful place alone." She drew a little nearer to him. ns If demanding his protection. A wave of .tenderness i'i'1 Cult U i.f ir.ai weight about 140U ijuuntir, woiki nint'le or rlouMe, t.ur choice Jt'lrey l;c f"fS, 1 frpsli Jersey sum. I iu.i til ui,e h ilt mile soutii of .Moi.ujuiitli. X. .Norton. fCR SALE About 2 lu d of lull blood Duroc brood sows. At Talmage pi ition on I. & M. railroad. Ci'tiiesoyn. Chus. J. Nh'iiu.ion. ' ' l VOU ' Vl, I I 'i i' ousiiietfl cards "iinr Monitor ollice w , a. ory ei vice f- ..li.o Continued on Page For wet weather dry clothes ana comfort wear Towvr's Fish Brand REFLEX SLICKER It im nil jpn want, or can get, ia a roagh nd ready terrica coat. Thoroughly waterproof and Mrofig at vary point. Satisfactloa Gumnwl A. J. Tower Co. U3'ER BOSTON brthufKl Tower Canadian Jnrk. Umitod.Toronto aiiCoWorrat AlfBBWv -25 "Safety First" Our Motto ON SHASTA ROUTE TRAINS OF THE tV$r SJNSFt I 0C-'lFN SHASTA 1 I black henna and n iitiiit. freh. vvitrni milk and a ivuuilnms assnrl nient of fHitiiuiiiM- fr 1 1 . : s III siate of tlielr equivocal situation. Edith seemed fully to have regained tier spirits Kveu tlie presiiect ot H'iuliiig i lie niglit In this place ap lnnnt!y did not disi.my tier l'liey descended to the Kiptare again, stared at all tlie n ay through open doors nnd followed py a siiiidued murmur ot comment Then tliej sat for a long time watching the stars As If in despair over their Impossible predicament. Edith gave nay to i spirit of reckless rivaeity. mid Kirk with a tmin's somewhat exaggeruted syniathy for a woinau'a sensitive fwl ings. loyally strove to help her make .ne nest or tilings in her own wav ncesslen of her e ef the feminine j privilege of prompt anil complete with 1 The Kxposttion line-19 13 And now is the time to see California; to live outdoors and en joy the sunshine, flowers and summer sports. It is u trip you cannot aford to miss. THREE FINE TRAINS DAILY including Shasta Limited th train of modern service with !1 uteel up-to-the-minute equipment The California and San rranelaco Express Trains w ith Standard Tourist and Chair Cars and dining service that will please. Call on nearest S. P. Agent and le him outline a trip, qu ,U tarea and furnish Outing literature on Callfornla'a famous resorts. Jorn M. Scott, Gensr?! Passenger Agent, Pcrtfnd, Crs. ireeii. ir tie uaa struck a false n t he knew that she would have turned frigid in an lt:fmt It wns on the'- return to the h.ui,. I thit the clitn-;i came, leaving hi;. course trwik tctsf !i finv t-illitin l.rl.'hf at...l ur"'J ' .uieiuion is spirttiM even (,v a drnnkeii hrawl within he pi. ke.1 n ,hls heavenly Isle. Well, tfcat s u:.i V,-r :rN and tied Into the dark-easy:- Anthony untied his low shoes.! ness Kirk st .,-.::!. along thind her in Ken tnem otr ana roll! up his trou ers. "He says he carries his pasengers I stnincclv shaken Their ishore in his arms." Kdith translated , theni fct'st a tinv cantina "IVruilt tne to help you." he aid without etntm In n- i At last she stepid out of breath, and be overt.Hiti tier. J I "Vou must n t run thMii,;h these dark i ' '" "" '-' -'- ' y "You-; 1 I iiere i Should be a Victrola lur Home in THE RED CROSS PHARMICY V. J, Brown, Propr 4 H n
