The Ne'er-Do-Well

by Rex Beach

  XXI

  THE REST OF THE FAMILY

  The time for Senor Garavel's return having arrived, Kirk called at thebank, and found not the least difficulty in gaining an audience.Indeed, as soon as he had reminded the banker of their former meeting,he was treated with a degree of cordiality that surpassed hisexpectations.

  "I remember quite well, sir," said Garavel--"'La Tosca.' Since you area friend of Mrs. Cortlandt I shall be delighted to serve you."

  Now that they were face to face, Kirk felt that he distinctly approvedof Chiquita's father. This dignified, distinguished-looking gentlemanawaited his pleasure with an air of leisurely courtesy that would havemade him under other circumstances very easy of approach. But there wasa keenness in his dark eyes that suggested the futility of beatinground the bush. Kirk felt suddenly a little awkward.

  "I have something very particular to say to you," he began,diffidently, "but I don't know just how to get at it."

  Garavel smiled graciously. "I am a business man."

  "This isn't business," blurted Kirk; "it's much more important. I wantto have it over as quickly as possible, so I'll be frank. I have metyour daughter, Mr. Garavel"--the banker's eyes widened in a look ofdisconcerting intensity--"and I am in love with her--sort of a shock,isn't it? It was to me. I'd like to tell you who I am and anything elseyou may wish to know."

  "My dear sir, you surprise me--if you are really serious. Why, you haveseen her but once--a moment, at the theatre!"

  "I met her before that night, out at your country place. I had beenhunting, and on my way home through the woods I stumbled upon yourswimming-pool. She directed me to the road."

  "But even so!"

  "Well, I loved her the first instant I saw her."

  "I knew nothing of this. If you had reason to think that your suitwould be acceptable, why did you not come to me before?"

  "I couldn't. I didn't know your name. I was nearly crazy because Icouldn't so much as learn the name of the girl I loved!" Kirk plungedconfusedly into the story of his search for Chiquita.

  "That is a strange tale," said Senor Garavel, when he had finished--"avery strange tale--and yet you did well to tell it me. At present I donot know what to think. Young men are prone to such romantic fancies,rash and ill-considered. They are, perhaps, excusable, but---"

  "Oh, I suppose you can't understand how a fellow falls so deep in loveon such short acquaintance, but I have been brooding over this formonths--there's nothing hasty or ill-considered about it, I can assureyou. I am terribly hard hit, sir; it means everything to me."

  "If you would tell me something about yourself, I might know better inwhat light to regard this affair."

  "Gladly--though there isn't much to tell. Just now I'm working on theP.R.R. as assistant to Runnels--the Master of Transportation, you know.I like the work and expect to be promoted. I have a little money--justenough to give me a fresh start if I should lose out here, and--oh,well, I'm poor but honest; I suppose that's about the size of it." Hepaused, vaguely conscious that he had not done himself justice. Whatelse was there to say about Kirk Anthony? Then he added as anafterthought:

  "My father is a railroad man, in Albany, New York."

  "In what capacity is he employed, may I ask?" said Garavel, showingsomething like real interest.

  Kirk grinned at this, and, seeing a copy of Bradstreet's on thebanker's table, turned to his father's name, which he pointed outrather shamefacedly. Senor Garavel became instantly less distant.

  "Of course the financial world knows Darwin K. Anthony," said he. "Evenwe modest merchants of the tropics have heard of him; and that his sonshould seek to win success upon his own merits is greatly to hiscredit. I congratulate you, sir, upon your excellent progress."

  "I hope to make good," said Kirk, simply, "and I think I can." Then heflushed and hesitated as a realization of the situation swept over him.Could he gain the favor of Chiquita's father under false pretences?Surely it was only just that a man should stand upon his own merits,and yet--it didn't seem quite right. At length, he said, with an effort:

  "I ought to tell you, sir, that I am not on good terms with my father,at present. In fact, he has cast me off. That is why I am heresupporting myself by hard work, instead of living in idleness. But I'mbeginning to like the work--and I'll make good--I'll do it if only toshow my father his mistake. That's what I care about most. I don't wanthis money. It's easier to make money than I thought. But I mustsucceed, for his sake and my own."

  Despite his embarrassment, his face shone with sudden enthusiasm. Helooked purposeful and aggressive, with a certain sternness that satwell upon his young manhood. Garavel lifted his brows.

  "May I inquire the cause of this--estrangement?"

  "Oh, general worthlessness on my part, I suppose. Come to think of it,I must have been a good deal of a cross. I never did anything veryfierce, though." He smiled a little sadly. "I don't wonder that I failto impress you."

  A quick light of thought flashed through the banker's eyes. He was akeen judge of men.

  "Well, well," he said, with a trace of impatience, "there is no need togo into the matter further. Your proposal is impossible--for manyreasons it is impossible, and yet--your spirit is commendable."

  "Does that mean you won't even allow me to see your daughter?"

  "It would be useless."

  "But I love Gertrudis," said Kirk, desperately.

  Garavel looked a trifle pitying.

  "You are by no means the first," he said; "I have been besieged bymany, who say always the same thing--without Gertrudis they cannot,they will not, they should not live. And yet I have heard of no deaths.At first I was greatly concerned about them--poor fellows--but most ofthem are married now, so I not do take your words too seriously." Helaughed good-naturedly. "You unemotional Americans do not love at firstsight."

  "_I_ do, sir."

  "Tut! It is but admiration for a beautiful girl who--I say it--iswicked enough to enjoy creating havoc. Take time, my boy, and you willsmile at this madness. Now, let us talk of something else."

  "It is no use, sir, I have it bad."

  "But when you make such a request as this, you assume to know the younglady's wishes in the matter."

  "Not at all. Without your consent I don't believe she'd allow herselfto even like me. That is why I want to fix it with you first."

  "In that, at least, you are quite right, for Gertrudis is a good girl,and obedient, as a general rule; but--it is impossible. Her marriagehas been arranged."

  "Do you think that is quite fair to her? If she loves Ramon Alfarez---"

  Once again Garavel's brows signalled surprise. "Ah, you know?"

  "Yes, sir. I was about to say, if she really loves him, I can't makeany difference; but suppose she should care for me?"

  "Again it could make no difference, once she had married Ramon. But sheis too young to know her own mind. These young girls areimpressionable, romantic, foolish. I can see no object in deliberatelycourting trouble. Can you? In affairs of the heart it is well to usejudgment and caution--qualities which come only with age. Youth isheadstrong and blinded by dreams, hence it is better that marriageshould be arranged by older persons."

  "Exactly! That's why I want you to arrange mine." The banker smiled inspite of himself, for he was not without a sense of humor, and theyoung man's sincerity was winning.

  "It is out of the question," he said; "useless to discuss. Forgettingfor the moment all other considerations, there is an obstacle to yourmarriage into a Spanish family, which you do not stop to consider--onewhich might well prove insurmountable. I speak of religion."

  "No trouble there, sir."

  "You are, then, a Catholic?"

  "It was my mother's faith, and I was brought up in it until she died.After that, I--sort of neglected it. You see, I am more of a Catholicthan anything else."

  "What we call a 'bad Catholic'?"

  "Yes, sir. But if I were not, it wouldn't make any difference. Chiquitais my religion."

&nb
sp; "Who?" The father started.

  "I--I call her that," Kirk explained, in confusion. "To myself, ofcourse."

  "Indeed! So do I," said Senor Garavel, dryly. For a moment he frownedin meditation. There were many things to consider. He felt a certainsympathy for this young man, with his straightforwardness and artlessbrusquerie. Moreover, though the banker was no great respecter ofpersons, the mention of Darwin K. Anthony had impressed him. If Kirkwere all that he seemed, he had no doubt of the ultimate reconciliationof father and son. At all events, it would do no harm to learn more ofthis extraordinary suitor, and meanwhile he must treat him with respectwhile carefully guarding his own dignity against possibly impertinentadvances.

  "She has been promised to Ramon," he said, at last, "and I haveconsidered her future quite settled. Of course, such arrangements arefrequently altered for various causes, even at the last moment,but--quien sabe?" He shrugged his shoulders. "She may not wish toentertain your suit. So why discuss it? Why make plans or promises? Itis a matter to be handled with the greatest delicacy; there areimportant issues linked with it. Where there is the prospect of analliance between two houses--of business or politics--you willunderstand that according to our ideas, those considerations mustgovern--absolutely. Otherwise--I do not know--I can say nothing toencourage you except--that, for a young man I have known so very shorta time"--he smiled genially--"you have impressed me not unfavorably. Ithank you for coming to me, at any rate."

  The two men rose and shook hands; Kirk was not altogether cast down bythe result of the interview. He understood the banker's allusion to thepossible change of arrangements, and felt sure from what Chiquita hadtold him that the marriage with Ramon could not take place after thetrue nature of Garavel's political aspirations became known. In thatcase, if all went well, it did not seem impossible that Garavel wouldgive his consent, and then Gertrudis alone would remain to be won. If,on the other hand, her father refused his permission--well, there aremany ways of winning a bride. Kirk believed in his lucky star, and hada constitutional inability to imagine failure.

  The truth was that Andres Garavel had not hesitated long after thatmemorable night at the Tivoli before accepting the brilliant prizewhich the Cortlandts had dangled so alluringly before his eyes, and,the decision once made, he had entered into the scheme with all hissoul. He was wise enough, however, to leave his destiny largely intheir hands. This meant frequent councils among the three, a vastamount of careful work, of crafty intrigue, of untiring diplomacy, and,although his candidacy had not as yet been more than whispered, thepurple robe of power was daily being woven, thread by thread.

  It was not long after Kirk's visit to the bank that Garavel, during oneof these conferences, took occasion to bring up the young man's name.Cortlandt had been called to the telephone, and Edith was left free toanswer without constraint.

  "I have seen you and him riding quite frequently," her guest remarked,with polite interest. "Is he, then, an old friend?"

  "Yes, we are very fond of him."

  "Your Mr. Runnels believes him most capable; we were speaking of himbut yesterday."

  "Oh, he will be successful, if that's what you mean; I shall see tothat. He has his father's gift for handling men---"

  "You know his father?"

  "Not personally, only by reputation. Kirk will be promoted soon,by-the-way, although he doesn't know it. He is to replace Runnels assoon as he is able."

  "Remarkable--and yet I have seen the marvels you work, dear lady. Butis not this a strange sphere of activity for the son of Darwin K.Anthony?"

  "Oh, he had some kind of falling-out with his father, I believe, whichoccasioned his coming here. There was nothing really to Kirk'sdiscredit--of that I am perfectly sure."

  "It would be unfortunate, indeed, if this breach between father and sonshould prove serious."

  "Oh, I dare say it won't. Kirk is certain to succeed, and old Anthonywill come round, if I know American fathers."

  Garavel smiled, well pleased that he had treated his recent visitorwith proper consideration. After all, why not invite the young fellowto his house? That would be rather a significant step according toSpanish custom; yet he need not be bound by it. He could put a stop tothe affair at any time. Besides, despite his frequent protestations tothe contrary, he was somewhat influenced by his daughter's desire formore liberty. It was not fair to her, he thought in his heart, that sheshould know only Ramon. One reason especially appealed to his pride. Ifa break came between him and Alfarez, Ramon must not appear to havejilted Gertrudis. If, meanwhile, she had another suitor, and one ofdistinguished family, the affair would wear a better look. It cannot bedenied that the name of Darwin K. Anthony rang musically in his ears.

  "The boy has the right stuff in him," Edith went on. "He began at thebottom, only a few months ago, preferring to work his way up, though hewas offered a first-rate position to begin with."

  She would have said more, but just at that moment her husband entered."You were saying that Alfarez suspects," said Cortlandt, addressingGaravel. "Has he said anything?"

  "Not to me, as yet, but he surely must know; the rumors must havereached him. He is cold--and Ramon acts queerly. I feel guilty--almostas if I had betrayed a friend."

  "Nonsense! There is no room for fine scruples in politics. We mustn'tbe in too great a hurry, though. Things are going smoothly, and whenthe time comes you will be called for. But it must be the voice of thepeople calling. Bocas, Chiriqui, Colon--they must all demand Garavel."Cortlandt sighed. "I shall be very glad when it is over." He lookedmore pale, more bloodless, more world-weary than ever.

  "You need have no fear that it will cause serious trouble between youand the General," Mrs. Cortlandt assured Garavel. "Ramon should be ableto effect peace, no matter what happens."

  "Ah, I am not so sure that there will be a marriage between Gertrudisand him. Young ladies are most uncertain when allowed the slightestliberty."

  "Is she growing rebellious?" Cortlandt inquired. "If I were you, then,I wouldn't force her. A loveless marriage is a tragic thing."

  His wife nodded her agreement.

  "Not exactly rebellious. She would do whatever I asked regardless ofher own feelings, for that is the way we Spaniards bring up ourdaughters, but--she is cold to Ramon, and he, I believe, is suspiciousof my intentions toward his father. Therefore, the situation isstrained. It is very hard to know what is right in a case of this sort.The young are impressionable and reckless. Often what seems to themdistasteful is in reality a blessing. It is not every love-match thatturns out so happily as yours, my dear friends. Well, I suppose I amweak. With Gertrudis I cannot be severe; but unless it becomesnecessary to make conditions with my old friend Alfarez, I shouldprefer to let the girl have her own way."

  As Cortlandt escorted his caller to the door, the Panamanian paused andsaid, with genuine solicitude:

  "You look badly, sir. I am afraid you work too hard. I would not easilyforgive myself if this affair of ours caused you to fall ill."

  "Oh, I am all right--a little tired, that's all. I don't sleep well."

  "It is worry over this thing."

  Cortlandt smiled crookedly. "I am not the one to worry; I am not theone at the head. Surely you know what people say--that I am heroffice-boy?"

  Garavel found it hard to laugh this off gracefully. "You are toomodest," he said. "I admire the trait, but I also chance to know thewonderful things you have accomplished. If people say such things, itis because they do not know and are too small to understand yourvoluntary position. It is very fine of you to let your wife share yourwork, senor." But he shook his head as the door closed behind him,really doubting that Cortlandt would prove physically equal to thecoming struggle.

  It was about this time--perhaps two weeks after Kirk had replied to hisfather's letter--that Runnels called him in one day to ask:

  "Do you know a man named Clifford?"

  "No."

  "He dropped in this morning, claiming to be a newspaper man from theStates; wanted to kno
w all about everything on the Canal and--the usualthing. He didn't talk like a writer, though. I thought you might knowhim; he asked about you."

  "Me?" Kirk pricked up his ears.

  "I gathered the impression he was trying to pump me." Runnels eyed hissubordinate shrewdly. "I boosted you."

  "Is he short and thick-set?"

  "No. Tall and thin." As Kirk merely looked at him in a puzzled way, hecontinued: "I suppose we're all suspicious down here, there's so muchof that sort of thing. If he has anything on you--"

  "He's got nothing on me."

  "I'm glad of that. You're the best man I have, and that shake-up I toldyou about is coming off sooner than I expected. I'd hate to haveanything happen to you. Do you think you could hold down my job?"

  "WHAT? Do you really mean it?"

  "I do."

  "I think I could, if you would help me."

  Runnels laughed. "That remark shows you haven't developed Isthmitis,anyhow."

  "What is that?"

  "Well, it's a sort of mental disorder most of us have. We believeeverybody above us is incompetent, and everybody below us is after ourjobs. You'll get it in time--even some of the Commissioners have it."

  "It goes without saying that I'd like to be Master of Transportation,but not until you're through."

  "Well, the old man has had another row with Colonel Jolson, and may notwait for his vacation to quit. I'm promised the vacancy."

  "Then you have seen the Colonel?"

  "No--but I have seen Mrs. Cortlandt. I felt I had a right to asksomething from her in return for what I did for you. I know that soundsrotten, but you'll understand how it is. Colonel Jolson wants hisbrother-in-law, Blakeley, to have the place, but I'm entitled to it,and she has promised to fix it for me. If I go up, you go, too; that'swhy I was worried when this Clifford party appeared."

  "There IS something, I suppose, I ought to tell you, although itdoesn't amount to much. I was mixed up in a scrape the night I left NewYork. A plain-clothes man happened to get his head under a fallingbottle and nearly died from the effects."

  "What was the trouble?"

  "It really wasn't the least bit of trouble, it was fatally easy. Wewere out on a grape carnival, six of us. It was an anti-prohibitionfestival, and he horned in."

  "There is nothing else?"

  "Nothing."

  "Well, this Clifford party is stopping at the Hotel Central. Betterlook him over."

  "I will," said Kirk, feeling more concern than he cared to show, buthis apprehension turned out to be quite unfounded. On inspection,Clifford proved to bear no resemblance whatever to Williams, nor did heseem to have any concealed design. He was a good sort, apparently, witha knack of making himself agreeable, and in the weeks that followed heand Kirk became quite friendly. Meanwhile, no word had come from SenorGaravel, and Kirk was beginning to fret. But just as he had reached thelimit of his patience he received a note which transported him with joy.

  Senor Andres Garavel, he read, would be in the city on the followingTuesday evening, and would be pleased to have him call.

  Even with his recent experiences of Spanish etiquette, Kirk hardlyrealized the extent of the concession that had been made to him. Heknew nothing of the tears, the pleadings, and the spirited championshipof his cause that had overborne the last parental objection. It waslucky for him that Chiquita was a spoiled child, and Garavel a veryAmericanized Spaniard. However, as it was, he went nearly mad withdelight, and when Tuesday came round he performed his office-work sobadly that Runnels took him to task.

  "What the devil has got into you the last few days?" he exclaimed,irritably.

  "I'm going to see a certain party to-night and I can't contain myself.I'm about to blow up. That's all."

  "Woman, eh?"

  Kirk grinned. "It has taken months, and I'd begun to think I wasn'twanted. Oh, I've had a battle."

  "Anybody I know?"

  "Yes, but I can't talk about her. There's a man in the case, see! I'mgoing slow to start with."

  Runnels, who had never seen Kirk with any woman except Edith Cortlandt,formed his own conclusions, helped a bit, perhaps, by the memory ofthat conversation with John Weeks on the day of their ride across theIsthmus. That these conclusions were not pleasing to him, he showedwhen he returned to his office. He stood an instant in thought, lookingrather stern, then murmured, half aloud: "That's one thing I wouldn'tstand for."

  Kirk had hard work to refrain from shaving himself twice that evening,so overcareful was he about his toilet, yet his excitement was asnothing compared to that of Allan, who looked on with admirationtempered by anxious criticism. The boy, it seemed, appropriated tohimself the entire credit for the happy ending of this affair.

  "It will be a grand wedding, sar," he exclaimed. "H'Allan will be therefor giving you away."

  "You don't know enough about me to give me away," Kirk returned,lightly.

  "I shall be needing some h'expensive garments for the ceremony. I wouldh'ahsk you to be so kind--"

  "Not too fast. It hasn't gone quite that far yet."

  "But I shall need to have those garments made by a tailor, and thatwill require time. They will be made precisely to resemble yours, thennobody can tell h'us apart."

  "That's considered genuine flattery, I believe."

  "Would you do me a favor, Master h'Auntony?"

  "Surest thing you know."

  "I shall be waiting in the street to-night. Could you h'arrange toh'ahsk those fatal questions h'adjoining the window so that I mighth'overhear?"

  "NO! And I don't want you prowling around outside, either. You're notto follow me, understand! I have enough on my mind as it is."

  The residence of Senor Garavel is considered one of the show places ofPanama. It is of Spanish architecture, built of brick and stucco, andembellished with highly ornamental iron balconies. It stands upon acorner overlooking one of the several public squares, guarded from thestreet by a breast-high stone wall crowned with a stout iron fence.Diagonally opposite and running the full length of the block is a hugeweather-stained cathedral, the front of which is decorated with holyfigures, each standing by itself in a separate niche. In the openchurch tower are great chimes which flood the city with melody, and inthe corner fronting upon the intersecting street is a tiny shrine withan image of the Madonna smiling downward. It is only a little recess inthe wall, with barely room for a few kneeling figures, but at night itsbright radiance illumines the darkness round about and lends the spot acertain sanctity.

  Contrary to the usual custom, the Garavel mansion has a narrow yard,almost smothered in tropical plants that crowd one another through theiron bars and nod at the passers-by. Riotous vines half screen thebalconies: great overhanging red-tiled eaves give the place an air ofcoziness which the verdure enhances. A subdued light was glowing fromthe lower windows when Anthony mounted the steps and rang.

  An Indian woman, clad in barbarous colors, her bare feet encased insandals, admitted him, and the banker himself met him in the hall. Heled the way into a great barren parlor, where, to Kirk's embarrassment,he found quite a company gathered. His host formally presented him tothem, one after another. There were Senor Pedro Garavel, a brother ofAndres; Senora Garavel, his wife, who was fat and short of wind; thetwo Misses Garavel, their daughters; then a little, wrinkled, brown oldlady in stiff black silk who spoke no English. Kirk gathered that shewas somebody's aunt or grandmother. Last of all, Gertrudis came shylyforward and put her hand in his, then glided back to a seat behind theold lady. Just as they were seating themselves another member of thefamily appeared--this time a second cousin from Guatemala. Like thegrandmother, he was as ignorant of English as Kirk was of Spanish, buthe had a pair of frightfully intense black eyes with which he devouredthe American. These orbs exercised an unusual effect upon the caller;they were unwinking, the lids were wide open, and the brilliance of thepupils was heightened by the startling whiteness surrounding them. Theywere like the eyes of a frightened horse.

  It was very trying to
be the target of so many glances and to know thathe was being studied like a bug beneath a microscope, yet Kirk managedto keep a degree of self-possession, making up his mind to display amodest reticence that could not help appearing admirable. But he soonfound that this did not suit. Instead of resuming their conversation,the entire assemblage of Garavels waited calmly for their caller tobegin, and he realized in a panic that he was expected to makeconversation. He cast about madly for a topic.

  His host helped him to get started, and he did fairly well until one ofthe Misses Garavel began to translate his remarks to the old lady andthe ferocious cousin from Guatemala. As their replies were not renderedinto English, he was left stranded. He knew that his whole salvationlay in properly impressing his auditors, so he began again andfloundered through a painful monologue. It was not at all pleasant. Itwas like being initiated into some secret order. These strange peoplesitting so stiff and watchful formed an inquisitorial body. The nightsuddenly turned off swelteringly hot; perspiration began to trickledown his brow, his collar became a tourniquet, and he cast appealingglances at the silent figure hidden demurely behind the rustly old ladyin the black harness. The look of mingled pity and understanding shegave him somewhat revived his fainting spirit, and he determined tostick it out until the family were ready to retire and allow him a wordwith her alone. But, idle hope! Gradually it dawned upon him that theyhad no such intention. To relieve the strain, he became facetious andtold funny stories; but this was an unlucky experiment, for hiswitticisms fell with a ghastly hollowness. No one laughed save thegrandmother and the Guatemalan cousin, who could not understand, and atthis Kirk fled helter-skelter from the realms of humor.

  By now his collar had given up the struggle and lain limply down torest. The whole experience was hideous, yet he understood quite wellthat these people were not making sport of him. All this was only apart of their foreign customs. They were gentlefolk, reared to adifferent code from his--that was all--and, since he had elected tocome among them, he could only suffer and be strong.

  In time he became sufficiently inured to the situation to take in thedetails of the room, which were truly markable. To begin with, theparlor walls entirely lacked the sort of decoration to which he wasused; the furniture, costly and rare in itself, was arranged stiffly ina square about the room, the precise geometrical centre being occupiedby a great urn of impressive ugliness. A richly carved mahogany"what-not" against one wall was laden with sea-shells and other curios.At various points about the room were many statuettes, vases, andfigures, of every conceivable size and shape--some of bisque, others ofcommon pottery, a few of exquisite marble--all standing upon the floor.A tremendous French chandelier of sparkling crystal cascaded downwardfrom an American ceiling of pressed metal; at regular intervals aroundthe wall were panels painted to resemble marble. Crouched upon a rug inone corner was a life-size figure of what seemed to be a tiger,perfectly colored and made of porcelain. It had tremendous glass eyes,larger even than the cousin's from Guatemala, and they shone with ahypnotic intensity that was disturbing. Kirk wanted to kick it and cry"Scat!" Hidden in other desolate quarters of the room were similarstudies in animal life. These anomalous surroundings by turns depressedhim and provoked an insane desire to laugh.

  What he ever talked about during that evening he never quiteremembered. At one time the Cholo girl who had admitted him enterednoiselessly, bearing silver plates of fruit, and shortly afterward hefound himself trying to balance upon his knee a plate of pineapplesoaked in spice and wine, a fork, a napkin starched as stiffly as asheet of linoleum, and a piece of cake which crumbled at a look. It wasa difficult bit of juggling, but he managed to keep one or two of thearticles in the air almost continuously.

  When it came time to leave he expected at least to be allowed afarewell word or two with Gertrudis, but instead he was bowed out asceremoniously as he had been bowed in, and, finding himself at last inthe open, sighed with relief. He felt like a paroled prisoner, but hethought of the girl's glance of sympathy and was instantly consoled. Hecrossed slowly to the Plaza, pausing a moment for a good-night look atthe house, then, as he turned, he caught a glimpse of a figure slinkinginto the shadows of the side-street, and smiled indulgently. EvidentlyAllan had been unable to resist the temptation to follow, after all,and had hung about hoping to overhear his hero at his best. But when hehad reached his quarters he was surprised to find the boy there aheadof him.

  "How did you beat me home?" he inquired.

  "I have been waiting h'impatiently ever since you went out. To be sure,I have had one little dream--"

  "Didn't you follow me to the Garavels'?"

  "Oh, boss! Never would I do such."

  Seeing that the negro was honest, Kirk decided that somebody had beenspying upon him, but the matter was of so little consequence that hedismissed it from his mind.

  "And what said your female upon your proposal of marriage?" Allaninquired. "Praise God, I shall h'expire of suspense if you do notcha-at me the truth."

  "Oh, there was a chorus of her relatives in the room. They sat in mylap all the evening."

  "Perhaps it is fartunate, after all. This senorita is rich 'ooman, andtherefar she would be h'expensive for us."

  Kirk managed to drive him forth after some effort, and straightwayretired to dream of timid Spanish girls who peeped at him from behindold ladies, porcelain tigers that laughed inanely at his jokes, andGuatemalan gentlemen with huge hypnotic eyes of glass.