Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1914-05-21

house only to learn that Senior Garavsl
and his daughter had left for Las Sa-
vannas not half an hour before. So
back through the city lie urged his
driver, across the bridge and out along
the country road.
Darkness had settled when he re-
turned, raging at the trickery that h,,d
been plmcticed upon him. If they
, thought to gain their point by sending
him on wild goose clases like this they
We're greatly mistaken. He proposed
to have Chiquita now. If he had to
burst his way to her through barred
doors. He had yielded to their left
handed customs out uf courtesy. 1t
was time now TO show Ills strength.
What folly he might have committed
1t is hard to tell. but he MAS prevented
i from putting amy extravagant plan
into operation by II message from the
girl herself
AS he dismissed his coachman and
turned toward hls quarters Stepl.anic
came to him out of the shadows.
"Chiquita Is mt the house She wants
to sec YOU
'Of course she does ! knew this
, wasn't any Of her doing I've been
hunting everywhere for her."
AT o O'Clock she will bc In the Plaza.
You know the dark place across from
the church? II we do not come wait"
Long before the appointed time Kirk
was ut the place of meeting. but
"A
0 when he saw two women emerge
from the dark side street next the Cur
nvel mansion and come swiftly to-
ward him.
He rcrrain~i from rushing out to
meet them, but when they were close
to his place of conccnlmcnt hc stepped
forward. with ChiHlit;l's name upon
his lips and his arms nutstretched. She
drew away
No, no. srilor!'' sha cried. II sent
for you tecausc there was no other
way. that is all My father would not
let you come to the house. You will
not think me buid"
"Of COURSE not"
II could not let you go until yon
knew the truth You do not believe
it was my faulty
II don't know what to believe, he
cause don't know what has hap
Iened All | know IL that ] got note
from your father But no matter what
1t is I'll never give you up he de-
clarcd stubborny.
".Ah. feared you would shy those
very words, hut you must do 1t, just
the same 1t will I've hard for us both.
know, hut She cholied and shook
her head us the words refused to come.
"Tell me first why must give you
up2"
"Bccnuse In spite of all I am to mar
~ Ramon" Gertrudis said wretchedly.
WHO said SOP"
MY fathcr lie has forbidden me
to think of you and ordered that I
marry Eamnn Sick or we'll. living or
dead. | must marry him"
I'm hanged If you dor
ut is those miserable politics again.
If do not obey, my father cannot be
president, do you seer Senior Alfnrez
Ia terribly angry that refused to
marry his son. to whom since was a
little child have been engaged
Ramon also Is furious: he Threatened
to kill himself So 1t comes to this
then. If will not bind myself to the
agreement Renor Alfnrcz Will contest
rho election do not know how you
say those things hut my father will
be defeated Perhaps no will 10 hum
blel"
Il won't stand for It They're max
Ing you sacrifice. that's nil. What
kind OF a father Is 1t who would sell
his daughter
NO. no! You do not understand.
He is proud; he cannot accept defeat:
he would rather give his life than be
Inundated Furthermore, he wishes
me to marry Ramon. and so that ends
IT. Her lips were trembling as she
peerc,l up ut him to see II he really
understood
Let them rave. dear. What does
1t matter who is president? What does
anything matter to you and me?'
HE says ! nm too young to know
my own mind. and perhaps that Is
true. Senior Antonio; perhaps shall
soon forget you and learn to love
Rnmon rs he loves ME. do not
; know
In spite of the pathetic quaver In her
voice. Kirk cried With jealous bitter
ness:
You don't seem to object very
strongly; you seem to care about as
much for Alfarez as you do for me. Is
TINT it,"
Eyes, senior. she said bravely
You are lyingl" declared Stephanie.
suddenly.
The girl burst into perfect torrent
of weeping that shamed him. Then.
without any invitation. she flung her
self reclslessly into his arms and 10y
there. trembling. palpitating like an inl-
prisoned bird
Forgive me. dear" he exclaimed
softly II knew better oil the time
You mustn't think of doing what they
ask; won't allow It," She looked up
with eyes cleaning through her tears
aid said brokenly:
"Scnor. love you truly. You see
runnot lie'
Her breath intoxicated him. and ne
bent his head to kiss her. but Ste
I phanie tore her roughly from his arms
Tho woman showed the strength Of q
man. and her vulturc-lille face was
working fercely MS she cried:
"No! She is minel She Is minei She