Lakeland Evening Telegram Newspaper, March 2, 1914, Page 2

3 A Romance of the Panama Canal REX BEACH COPYRIGHT, 1910, 1911, BY | ¢ BROTHERS PROLOGUE. was (| awainst a certain .\ll«:l- bert I who. of course, was his Panama as the home of the e dotininiot, namiver great canal we all know about, g ett Phi< young gentleman was a and now here’s the zone as the lean, lorse faced r.wnim-. \vllmi'e un- scene of araftling good romance. broke: - ulu ity (v” n'l’n,l‘lflcl had .m‘m'o It's by Rex Beach, who jumps g;"“ e led _"A""”-.‘ rs l“’ m:“t"l‘; A m for o divinity student, thoug from Alaska to the tropics to closer :1cquail tance proved him wholly tell about a young American and ypymory) il rattle brained. his friends and foes in the zone. | The hero of this tale is the sort of fellow you like to reed about— ‘ one who has the hard luck to get | into all kinds of scrapes and the nerve and courage and wit to get himself out of them. And the heroine—there are two of her. One’s an American, and the other’s a member of a proud, haughty family of the upper na- tive classes of the canal zone. Both arc worth reading about. Of course the other characlers help along the yarn. 1If you have paid ary sort of altention to the story of the digging of the “big diteh’” you will recognize some of them. CHAPTER I. The Trail Divides, T wils it crisp November night. The avtiticial brilliance of Broadway was vivaled by a glovious moondit sky I'rom the city's canyous came an ineessint L Ly In the lobhy of one of the playhouses a woman piaused to adjust her wraps, ! and, heasi lie cries of the newsboys, petulantly exclaimed: “I'mabsolutely sick of football. | That performance during the third act wis enough to disgust one.” Ier escort smiled. “Oh, you take it too serious!y.” he said. *“Those boys don't mean anything. That was mere- | ly youth—irrepressible youth—on a tear.” t The doors belclied forth the football players and their friends. Out they | came, tumbling, pushing. jostling, greeting scowls and smiles with grins of insolent good humor. The l\\'l‘lfl)‘: athletes dodged in through the re- volving doors of a cafe, leaving Broad- i way rocking with the tumult. All the city was football mad, it seemed, for no sooner had the newcomers enter- ! ed the restaurant than the diners rose to wave napkins or to cheer. One said to his companions: “That is Anthony — the big chap. He's Darwin K. Anthony's son. You've heard about the Anthony bill at Al- bany ?" “Yes, and I saw this fellow play football four years ago. Say! That was a game.” “He's a worthless sort of chap, isn't | he?" remarked one of the women, when the squad had disappeared up the stairs, “Just a rich man's son, that's all. He's twenty-six.” “Didn’t I read that he had been sent | to jail recently?” “No doubt. " He was given thirty days.” | “What—in prison?" questioned an- other in a shocked voice. “Only for speeding. It was his third offense, and his father let him take his ‘medlclue." Up in the banquet hall, however, Itl was evident that Kirk Anthony was more highly esteemed by his mates | than by the public at large. He was their hero, in fact, and in a way he de- | served it. Ior three years before his graduation he had been the heart and | sinew of the university team, and for the four years following he had coach- | ed them, preferring the life of an athletic trainer to the career his father had offered him. And he had done his | chosen work well, his team winning | the day’s game against great odds. It bhad been a tremendous spectacle, | and when the final whistle blew for the multitude to come roaring down across the field, the cohorts had paid homage to Kirk Anthony, the coach to whom they knew the honor be- longed. Naturally, the newspapers gave the young man’s story as well as a history of the game. They told of his es- trangement from his father, of the Anthony anti-football bill which the old man in his rage had driven through the legislature and up to the governor himself. Some of them even printed a rehash of the railroad man's famous magazine attack on the modern col- lege. The fact was that Kirk's associates were of a sort to worry any observant parent. In particular Anthony senior . knowledgn o , him, who rose i+ 11 It was Iliggins this evening who, after tic “cripples” had deserted and the supycr party had dwindled to per- haps a lulf dozen, proposed to make a night of it. heginning with a visit to the Austrinn Village. The college men selected o table and, shouldering the occupants xide without eceremony, seated thomsclves and pounded for a waiter. Padden, th proprietor, ciame toward greeting Anthony and ke of his left hand, nd gray head in ac anintroduction to them, and Iiggins b ducked hi the others. “Glad yo ped in,” Mr. Padden assured the you boys want and ¢ now." When he < averred “There's a | 1-peacetul, refined —got a love ter too, Let's be gentlemen w o in his place.” Ringold ro: fellows," he panions folloy tion of the « maintained tl time for the fi When they they found a st I'm going to dance. mneed, and his com im, with the excep [ligging, who L pas and weak. ned to their table rwas seated with ceins made him known. “Boys, meet 11y old friend, Mr. Jef- ferson Locke of st Louis. [e's all | right.” The college men treated this new re- cruit with a hilarious cordiality, to which he responded with the air of one quite accustomed to such reunions. “I was at the game this afternoon,” he explained when the greetings were over, “and recognized you chaps when you came in. I'm a football fan my- self. [ just got into town this morn- ing, and I'm sailing tomorrow. 1 couldn't catch a hoat today, so I'm having a little blowout on my own account. When I recognized you all 1 just butted in. New York is a lone- some place for a stranger. Hope you don't mind my joini on.” “Not at all!” he was assured. When he came to pay the waiter he displayed a roll of yellow backed bills that caused Anthony to caution him. Locke only laughed ‘‘There’s more where this came from. [Towever, that's one reason I'd like to stick around with you fellows. I have an idea I've been followed, and I don’t care to be tapped on the head. If you will let me trail along I'll foot the bills, That's | a fair proposition,” “Oh, come now,” Anthony struck in. “You're more than weiome to stay with us if you like, but we can't let you put up for it.” The stranger, despite his avowedly festive spirit, showed a certain reserve. When the music again <truck up he declined to dance, preferring to remain with Higgins in their iuconspicuous corner. “There's a fine fellow,” the latter re- marked, following his best friend’s fig- ure with his eyes, when he and Locke were once more alone. “Sweet na- ture.” “Anthony? Yes, he looks it.” “He's got just two faults. [ always say—he's too modest by far and he's lazy—won’t work.” “He doesn’t have to work. His old man has plenty of.coin, hasnt he?" “Yes, and he'll keep it too [eart- less old wretch!” The dancers came crowding up to the table at the moment. and Ringold suggested loudly: “I'm hungry. Let's ain.” st fixed it with Padden for a | private room upstairs,” Anthony said. “All the cafes are closed now, and this is the lgst place in town for chick- en creole anyhow.” Accordingly he led the way, and the rest filed out after him. But as they left the ballroom a medium sized man who had recently entered from the street caught a glimpse of them, cran- ed his neck for a better view, then idled along behind. Anthony played the part of host more lavishly. Mr. Locke, however, in- sisted that his friends should partake of a kind of drink previously unheard of and with this in view had a confi- dential chat with the waiter, to whom he unostentgfiously handed a five dol- lar retainer. The meal was at its noisiest when the man whom Locke had so gener- ously tipped spoke to him quietly. His companions were too well occupied, however, to notice this byplay even when the waiter continued in a low tone: “He slipped me a ten spot, so 1 thought it must be something worth while.” “He—he's alone, you say?” “Seems to be. Locke took something from his pock- et and thrust it into the fellow’s hand, while the look in his eyes changed to | one of desperation, “Step outside and wait. Don't let bim come up. I'll call you in a min- ute." Anthony caught a giingse of Locke's eyes and inquiyed in sur 'Y “What's wrong, old man? siek ?" Locke shook his head. *I told you fellows I'd been followed this evening Remember? Well, there's a man down- stairs who has given the waiter $10 to lot him have his coat and apron so he I think it's part of Are you can come in here. a plan to rob me.” Kirk Anthony vose suddenly, moving as lightly upon his feet as a dancer, and rang for the waiter. “Give that chap your coat and apron,” he ordered when the attendant answered, “and when I ring next send him up. Pass the word to Padden and the others not to notice any little dis- turbance. I'll answer for results.” The white faced Locke sank back into his chair, while Anthony directed sharply: “Now, gentlemen, be seated. Here, Locke, your hack to the door; your Seized the Masquerader by the Throat. face looks like a chalk mine. There! Now don't be so nervous; we'll cure this fellow’s ambition as a gin slinger. I'll change names with you for a minute.” He pushed the button twice, and a moment later the door opened quietly to admit a medium sized man in white coat and apron, The man allowed his eyes to shift un- certainly from one to another as if in doubt as to which was his quarry. An- thony did not dream that it was his own resemblance to the Missourian that led to this confusion; but, in fact, while he and Locke were totally unlike when closely compared, they were of a simi- lar size and coloring, and the same general description would have fitted both. Having allowed the intruder a mo- ment in which to take in the room, Kirk leaned back in his chair and nodded for him to approach. “Are you Mr. Locke, sir?” inquired the new waiter. “Yes," said Kirk, “Telephone message for you, Mr. Locke,” the waiter muttered. “They're holding the wire outside. [I'll show you the booth. “Oh, will you?" Kirk Anthony's hands suddenly shot out and seizedl the masquerader by the throat. The man uttered a startled gasp, but si- multaneously the iron grip of Marty Ringold fell upon his arms and dou- bled them behind him. The rest of the party were on their feet instantly, watching the struggle and crowding forward with angry exclamations. “All the way from St. Louis for a telephone call, eh?* Anthony sank his thumbs into the stranger's throat: then, as the man's face grew black and his contortions diminished, added. “We're going to make a good waiter out of you.” Jefferson Locke broke in excitedly: “Choke him good! Choke him! That's right. Put him out for keeps. ¥or God’s sake, don't let him go!” But it was not Kirk's idea to stran- gle his victim beyond a certain point. He relaxed his grip after a moment and, nodding to Ringold to do like- wise, took the fellow’s wrists himself, then swung him about until he faced the others. The man’s lungs filled with fresh air, he began to struggle once more, and when his voice had re- turned he gasped: “I'll get you for this. You'll do a trick”~ He mumbled a name that did not sound at all like Jeferson Locke, whereupon the Missourian made a rush at him that required the full strength of Anthony’s free hand to thwart, “Let me go” the stranger gasped. “I'll take you all in. I'm an officer.” “It's a lie!” shouted Locke. “He's a thiet.” What shall I do sir?” | “] tell you ’m—an officer. I ar- rest this"— The words were cut off abruptly by a loud exclamation from Higgins and a crash of gliss. Kirk Anthony's face was drenched. his eyes were filled with a stinging liqnid: he felt his prisvner sink limply back into his arms and beheld 11 4 struggling in the grasp of big Marty Ringold. the foil covered neck of a wine bottle in his fingers. The foolish fellow had been hovering round the edges of the = to help his friends and 1~ to win glory by some uncertainly crowd, lonz crazily anxi ! deed of valor “I've got him!” he cried joyously. “He's out!” * \uthony exclaimed sharp- ¢ devil"— Then the dead rms sobered him like a vater. | weight in lis deluge of it | “Yeuwve done it this time,” he mut- | tered “Good God!" Locke cried. *“Let's et away! He's hurg!” “Here, you!" Anthony shot a com mand at the spetker that checked him half way across the room. “Ringold.* take the door anid don't let anybody in or out. We're in bad now. 1 want Padden.” [le stepped to the door and signaled n passing waiter. A moment later the proprictor knocked and Rin- gold admitted him. “What the'— Padden started at sight of the motionless figure on the floor and, kneeling, beside it, made a ,Quick examination, while Anthony ex- plained the circumstances leading up to the assault. “Thief, eh? | see” “Is he badly hurt?’ queried Locke. bending a pale face upon them. “Fuh! I guess he's due for the hos- pital,” the dwner of the Austrian Vil- mnounced. “'[e had his nerve, r to turn a trick in my place. 1 It ! knew all the dips, but he’s ancer.” With nimble fingers he ran through the fellow’s pockets, then continned: “I'm glad you got him, but you'd bet- ! ter get tozether and rehearse before the police”— Tle stopped abruptly once more, then looked up curiously } “What is it questioned the man from Missouri Padden pointed silently to the lapel of the which he had turned back. A nickeled badge was ppinned upon it. “He's no thief; he's | a detective—a plain clothes man!” The crowd tooked nonplused, with the exception of Jeflerson Locke, who became calmer than at any time since the waiter had first whispered into his | ear. “We didn't know who he was,” he began hurriedly. “You must square it for us, Padden. [ don’t care what it costs.” He extended a bulky roll of banknotes toward the gray haired man. “These boys can’'t stand this sort of thing and neither can I. T've got to sail at 10 o'clock this inorning.” “Looks to me like you’ve croaked him,” said the proprietor, ignoring the proffered money. “It's worth $1,000 to me not to miss my boat." “Wait a minute.” Padden emptied the unconscious man's pockets, among other things of some telegrams and a legally folded paper. The latter he opened and scanned swiftly, then turn- ed his little eyes upon Locke without a word, whereupon that gentleman, with equal silence, took from his inside pocket a wallet and selected a bill, the denomination of which he displayed to the proprietor before folding it inside the bundle he held. “Here! It may cost you something.” fellow's vest, CHAPTER I A Gap. ADDEN nodded and accepted the money, saying: “Oh, I guess I can fix it. I know the right doctor. But you'll have to keep your traps closed. understand " “Will he die?" asked Ringold fearful- 1y, his back still against the door. “Not a chance. But if he does he'll never know who hit him. You see, we picked him up in the alley and brought him in.” [I’adden winked meaningly. “It happens right along in this part of town.” “You chaps have done me a big fa vor tonight,” said Locke a little later, when he and his companions were safe- ly out of the Austrian Village, “and 1 won't forget it either. Now, let's fin- ish the evening the way we began it.” Anderson, Rankin and Burroughs, to l conceal their nervousness, pleaded \ bodily fatigue, while Anthony also de- clared that he had enjoyed himself sufficiently for one night and intended to go home and to bed. *“That episode rather got on my nerves,” he acknowl- edged. “Mine too,” assented Locke. “That’s why you mustn't leave me. [ just won't let you. Remember, you agreed to see me off.” *'S'right, fellows,” Higgins joined in. “We agreed to put him aboard and we must do it. Don’t break up the party, Kirk.” “I don't want to go home,” Ringold muttered. “It's a breach of hospitality to go home,” Higgins insisted. “Besides, after my bloody ’'ncounter with that imb of the law I need a stimulant. You must look after me.” Numbed as they were by the ex- cesses of the evening, it did not take { the young men long to lose all clear and vivid remembrance of this recent experience, for the time had come when nature was offering her last re- sistance, and their brains were badly awhirl. Of all the four, Jefferson Locke was the only one who retained his wits to the fullest—a circumstance that would have proved him the owner of a remarkably steady head had it not been for the fact that he had cun- Chains of Gems. Jewelry of every kind is ghg the glittering shop windows, ay' variety of design in which p ornaments are made is equaled the fanciful laces, brooches, bray: bodice ornaments and spray deaux for the hair. Chains very welcome presents thiz being in fashion again. The 3 long as ever. Some are cost!, in diamonds and other preci « semi-precious stones. The latt. much in fashion, for various ; among which the prevalent - times” are pleaded. Many of the. precious are equal in beaut; : magnificent sapphire, emer: ruby. The lovely peridot delicate pale green is re more aesthetic than the phatic tint of the emerald. stone has a loveliness all it ningly substituted water for gin each time it came his turn to drink. Dawn found them in an east side tenement drinking place frequented by the lowest classes. Ripgold wag.slum- bering peacefully on a table: Anthony had discovered musical talent in the bartender and was seated at a batter- ed piano laboriously experimenting with the accompaniment to an Irish ballad; Higgins and Locke were talk- ing earnestly. Locke, as usual, sat facing the entrance. his eyes watch- ful, his countenance alert. To a sober eye it would have been patent that he was laboring under some strong ex- citement, for every door that opened caused him to start, every stranger that entered made him quake. ] (To Be Continued.) B — ""‘am'cm'@m O ——— o — s - Long Life of Lincy alonp with good laundry work. Try uas. 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