The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-03-02
CHAPTER XXI.
Checkmate!

eSSdry SiudIl talk. AS Ii was, Ne Teit
that his excitement must be patent to
those around him now that the time
had come.
As the music ceased and the dancers
came pouring out into the cool night
air tunnels approached with his wife.
Together they strolled off through the
crowd. disappearing in the direction of
the north wing of the hotel.
1t seemed ages before the orchestra
struck up Kirk began to fear that
something had happened to the must
clans. He edged closer to the do +
and searched out Chiquita with his
eyes. There she was seated with her
father. Colonel Bland from Gatun and
some high officer or other-probably an
admiral.
Kirk heard the orchestra leader tap
his music stand: then as the first
strains of the waltz fioated forth be
stepped into the ballroom and made
toward his sweetheart All at once he
found that his brain was clear. his
heart beats measured.
OF course she saw him coming. She
had waited all the long evening for
this moment. He saw her hand tiutter
uncertainty to her throat; then as be
paused before her she rose without Il
word. His arm encircled her waist.
her little cold palm dropped into his as
lightly as Ii snowflake. and they gIided
away together. He found himself
whispering her name over and over
again passionately.
"Why-why did you do this. senor?'
she protested family. 1T is very hard
for me"
1T is the last time | shall ever hold
you-this way
She faltered. her breath caught.
Please. My father is looking. Ra-
mon
Have You agreed to marry him?"
"Yes-no. no. Oh. | have prayed to
the Virgin every hour. l cannot. and
yet l must, See. cannot waltz. Sc
nor: have s-stepped upon you. Don't
esqueeZe-me-sor' she exclaimed. Il
cannot hold back-the tears. | am SO
unhappy. If could die quickIy-now."
Let us go out OH the porch"
No. 10. We must remain in my
fathers sight. Will you take me to
my seat:'
No. 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
tell you Chiquita dear. you must
marry me tonight. right away! ! have
arranged everything No. don't look
up at me until have finished. Try
to smile. I've planned it all out and
everything is In readiness. | have a
room just around the corner of the
veranda: there's Il judge waiting for
us. and Runnels and his wife,
You are mad." she gasped.
NO. no. Well slip through one OF
the French windows. and we'll be back
again before they miss us Nobody
will know tell you they're waiting If
we are missed they'll think-it doesn't
matter what they think. you'll be my
wife. and Ramon can't marry you
then, Well say nothing about 1t until
your father is elected president"
"SenOr. one cannot be married in a
moment. am Catholic-the banns"-
I've thought of all that. but civil
marriage is binding Well have the
religious ceremony afterwards: mean
while this will stop Ramon. at least
] promise not to see you again until
you send for me-untii your fathers
| hopes are realized You may wait as
long as you wish. and nobody will
| know They tricked you Chiqulta.
| dear; ] can't explain. but 1t wasn't all
| politics: by any means. Oh. girl. Don't
| you understand: love you-love you
! Its our only chance" The words were
| tumbling from his lips Incoherently;
be was pleading az If for his life. while
| she chung to him to support herself
| Through it all their feet moved rhyth-
mically. ,teir 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 Cod" she exclaimed
! family. lis 1t that | am drea ming:
| They are waiting for US; the dance
/ is half over already. love you-bet-
! ter than all the world Do you remem-
/ Der two nights ago? You kissed me
/ then. and-I-l-cant live without you.
/ Wen go away together. you and l.
/ through all the world-just NE two
| She gave Il hysterical. choking sob
J that WAS half a sigh. Then her eyes
| flashed upward to his-they were wide
| and bright and shining-her lips were