Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-01-28

She faitered, her breath caught.
Pleased My father is looking. Ra-
mon
Have you agreed to marry himT'
"Yes-no, no. Oh. 1 have prayed to
] the Virgin every hour. I cannot. and
yet 1 must See! / cannot waltz, Sc
nor; have s-stepped upon you. Don't
esqueeze-me-sor' she exclaimed 81
cannot hold back-the tears 1 am so
unhappy. If could die quickly-now."
Let US go out on the porch"
mo, no! We must remain in my
fathers sight VIII you take me to
my seat?"
mo. I want you to listen carefully
to what I'm going to say and be calm"
He spoke low and earnestly.
Don't stop dancing now, when i
tell you. Chiquita dear. you must
marry me tonight, right awayl I have
arranged everything. No, don't look
up at me until 1 have finished. Try
to smile. I've planned It all out and
everything Is In readiness. I have a
room just around the corner of the
veranda; there's a judge waiting for
US, and Runnels and his wife
You are mad." she gasped.
mo, no. Wen slip through one of
the French windows, and well be back
again before they miss US. Nobody
will know. 1 tell you they're waiting. If
we are missed they'll think-it doesn't
matter what they think. youn be my
wife, and Ramon can't marry you
then. Well say nothing about it until
vonr fof thor fs a1arfad nroeidonf
"Senor, one cannot be married in a
moment. I am Catholic-the banns"-
I've thought of all that, but civil
marriage is binding. Well have the
religious ceremony afterward; mean
while this will stop Ramon, at least.
promise not to see you again until
you send for me-until your fathers
hopes are realized. You may wait as
long as you wish, and nobody viii
know. They tricked you. Chfquita,
dear; can't explain, but 1t wasn't all
politics; by any means. Oh, girl! Don't
you understand; 1 love you-love you!
It's our only chance" The words were
from his lips incoherently;
he was pleading as IL for his life, while
she chung to him to support herself.
IL all their feet moved rhyth-
their bodies swayed to the ca
dences of the waltz as they circled the
ballroom.
He knew it was her lifelong loyalty.
her traditional sense Of obedience that
made her hesitate.
Mother of Godr' she exclaimed |
ais IT that I am dreaming?"
''They are waiting for us; the dance ,
s half over already. I love you-bet- |
Ter than all the world. Do you remem- |
Der two nights ago? You kissed me |
hen. and-I-I-can't live without you. |
Wen go away together, you and 1. |
through all the world-just We two" |
She gave a hysterical. choking sob |
hat was half sigh. Then her eyes
dashed upward to his-they were wide
md bright and shining-her lips were
her body was 1.-THE and full of
life. She slipped from his embrace,
Eyes, yesi Quickly, senorv' And
he next instant they were out upon
he wide gallery with the dance be
lind them. "Hurree, hurree, or they
will follow"
Together they fed along the north
wing of the hotel. The gffI was pant
ng. with one hand held to her bare
hroat. But she ran like fawn.
"Herer' He swung her around the
orner and raped sharply at door.
Quickly, Quicklyr' she moaned.
For the love Of
With terrific force the door was fair
= jerked from fits hinges and slammed
D behind them. The next moment
.llans big body was leaning against
: as If the wall were about to fall in
Yard upon him. Runnels leaped for
,ard with an exclamation; his wife
TODD staring, her face az white as
now. With them was the genial gray
aired judge from Colon, whom Kirk
ad met at the Wayfarers' club on the
light of his arrival.
"You made itr' Runnels cried tri-