I've ordered a watch for him, too, and it's being
engraved. I wanted to give him something to show my own personal
gratitude for what he and his wife have done for me. Lord! It took
a month's salary. I know it's a jay present, but there's nothing
decent in these shops."
"Look here! I've wanted to say something to you for some time,
though it's deuced hard to speak of such things. Maybe I have more
moral scruples than some people, but--" Runnels stirred
uncomfortably in his chair. "Steve Cortlandt has put us where we
are--you understand, when I speak of him I include his wife, too.
Well, I like him, Kirk, and I'd hate to see him made unhappy. If a
chap loves a married woman, he ought to be man enough to forget
it. Rotten way to express myself, of course--"
Kirk looked the speaker squarely in the eyes as he answered: "I
don't understand what you're driving at. I haven't the least
interest in any married man's affairs--never have had, in fact.
I'm in love with Gertrudis Garavel, and I'm engaged to marry her."
"The devil!"
"It's a fact. I didn't know until last night that I'd been
accepted."
"Then just forget what I said. I was going north on a south-bound
track--I ran ahead of orders. I really do congratulate you, old
man; Miss Garavel is--well, I won't try to do her justice--I had
no idea.
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