The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-16

me-"
"AIl right. But honestly now, didn't
you want to Gomez
She turned upon him in little burst
Of passion. Yes" she cried. "Of
course did! I wished to come, mad
ly, senior. 1t makes my heart patter,
like that'-she made her little fingers
"patter"-"to be wooed even by
Yankee. But do not love you in the
least. Oh no! Even if wished to do
so, there are too many reasons why l
could not, and when explain you will
understand"
II know. It's Ramon Alfarez.
You're halfway engaged to him. But
you know you don't love him."
"Ah, it is not too sure. He is of fine
family, he is rich, he is handsome.
Not possibly could care for any man
who was not all Of those. All my life
l have thought him a very sweet gen
tleman and for long time it has been
agreed that should be his wife. There
are so many reasons why | should say
yes"
You haven't mentioned any that
would be binding in law"
"My fathers wish. Is not that sufti-
Gent
You discegarded that once"
That was but a tlutter. All the time
| knew | should be Ramon's wife
when the time arrived. Perhaps
could refuse to wed man my father
chose for me- but no nice Spanish girl
would dare to wed man her father
did not like Do you see:"
But it's no cnch your father won't
positively hunger for me once we get
chummy."
you are too different, you disregard
our customs, you are bold. You con.
tinue to come here against my wishes,
which no Spanish gentleman would
dare to do"
"Oh, I'm no Spanish gentleman. I'm
just an emotional blond. But I'm
bound to marry you. Let's arrange
the details. Shall it be a church we'd
ding"
She laughed deliciously "What a
nice game it is we have played. But
now ! must talk seriously"
"You WITCH" he breathed. "Do you
think l could ever give you up?"
She checked him grayely. Truly it
was just game, and yet it was not
altogether 50 either But here is what
l came to say. The strangest thing
has happened. Not until last night
after the opera did even dream of it,
and even now | cannot believe. Oh,
am SO proud. Coming home from the
theater my father told mech, the
most wonderful thing. promised very
faithfully not to tell. so-he is to be
the next observation-disclosures"
Pres Anthony stared at her in
frank amazement why, | thought
Old Man Alfarez"-
1T seems your country does not like
him because he hates Americans-see?
Now that you know the truth you
must see at once that by no means
could | marry to person like you"
Why not"
"Ohe! Don't you understand? | shall
be the finest lady in the republic. All
the men will adore me. | will have
suitors-not one or two as now, but
many. My father will be the most ia.
nous man of all the republic-perhaps
in the whole world, don't know"
Il don't think it will make any diff.
ference with him when he knows who
| am. III tackle your father, and I'll
promise to vote for him."
You are very fonny." She gazed at
him seriously, one tiny foot curled I'm.
der her, her chin nesting into her
palm.
DO you love me-"
Not one single speck | merely like
you to make love at me and cause nv
heart to jomp."
The little hypocrite continued to voice
words of warning and denial. thoueh
her eyes invited him. and for a long
time they continued this delightful
play of pleading and evasion But at
last Chiquita jumped up with a great
appearance of alarm.
Heavens. the time. she cried 81
have stayed too long by much. STE.
phanie will miss me-"
He rose and stretched out his hand
as if TO hold her.
Shall come again tomorrow"
She grew suddenly earnest