The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-02-26

lOF"afu. With C0lQulLd name upon
his lips and his arms outstretched She
drew away.
NO. no, senior" she cried. Il sent
for you because there was no other
way. that is all. My father would not
let you come to the house. You will
not think me bold:'
OF course not"
Il could not let you go until you
knew the truth. You do not-believe
it was my fault?-
Il don't know what to believe. be-
cause | don't know what has hap
pened. All know is that got note
from your father But no matter what
it is I'll never give you up" he de-
clared stubbornly.
''Ah. | feared you would say those
very words, but you must do it. just
the same 1t will be hard for US both.
| know. but She choked and shook
her head as the words refused to come.
. Tell me first why | must give you
up?"
Because in spite of all | am to mar
~ Ramon" Gertrudis said wretchedly.
who said so?"
My father He has forbidden me
to think of you and ordered that l
marry Ramon. Sick or we'll. living or
dead, must marry him.
I'm hanged if you do!'
1t is those misera BILE politics again.
If / do not obey, my father cannot be
president. do you see? Senior Alfarez
is terribly angry that refused to-
marry his son. to whom since | was q
little child l have been engaged
Ramon also is furious; he threatened
to kill himself So it comes to this
then. If l will not bind myself to the
agreement. Senior Alfarez will contest
the election. I do not know how you
say those things. but my father will
be defeated Perhaps he will be hum
bled."
Il won't stand for it. They're max
ing you a sacrifice. that's ALL What
kind of a father is it 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
peered up at him to see if he really
understood
Let them rave. dear. What does
it matter who is president? What does
anything matter to you and me?'
He says l am too young to know
my own mind. and-perhaps that is
true. Senior Antonio: perhaps l shall
soon forget you and learn to love
Ramon as 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
that it?'
Yes. senor.' she said bravely.
You are lying" declared StephaEie
suddenly.
The girl burst into perfect torrent
of weeping that shamed him. Then.
without any invitation. she flung her
self recklessly into his arms and lay
there. trembling palpitating like an i'm
prisoned bird.
Forgive me, dear" he exclaimed
softly. Il knew better all the time
You mustn't think of doing what they
ask: won't allow it" She looked up
with eyes cleaning through her tears
and said. brokenly:
"Senor, | love you truly. You see
| cannot lie
+ Her breath intoxicated him. and he
bent his head to kiss her. but Ste
phanie tore her roughly from his arms
The woman showed the strength of a
man. and her vulture-Iike face was
working fiercely as she cried:
NO, She ia mine, She is mine. She
is a good girl
"Oh. am wicked Gertrudis said
Il love you. Keerk-yes. love you
very dearly but my father-he re-
fuseS-l must obey-he has the right
and | must do as be wishes
Come with me now. Wen be mar
ried tonight" he urged. but she only
chung to Stephanie more closely. as if
TO hold herself from falling
''1Ou are very sweet TO me-" she
said. with piteouS tenderness. land |
shall never forget the honor. but you
see canc,t This Is more to my IA
Their thar Eis life. 1t is the same to
all our family. and l must 90 my
duty. | could not le1 you 20 away
thinking this was my doing. 50 sent
for you. No. one must obey ones
people. for they arr W.Se-and good.
But one should be honest
cheeks. and she thrilled 10 his plead