Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1914-06-04

those around him now that the time
had come.
AS the music ceased and the dancers
came pouring out into the cool night
air Runnels approached with his wife.
Together they strolled OF 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
cians. He edged closer to the do r
and searched out Chiquita with hts
eyes. There she was seated with her
father, Colonel Bland from Gatun and
come high officer or other-probably an
admiral.
Kirk heard the orchestra leader tap
his music stand; then 10 the first
strains Of the waltz hoated forth he
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 flutter
uncertainty to her throat; then AZ no
paused before her she rose without a
word. His arm encircled her waist.
her little cold palm dropped into his as
lightly as snowflake, and they glided
away together. He found himself
whispering her name over and over
again passiOnately.
"Why-why did you do this, senof7'
she protested family. "It is very hard
for me-"
1T is the last time shall ever hold
you7this way"
She faltered, her breath caught.
"Please! My father Il looking. Ra-
mon
"Have you agreed to marry himr'
"Yes-no. no! Oh. have prayed to
the Virgin every hour. cannot. and
yet must. See! cannot waltz, Sc
nor; have s-stepped upon you. Don't
esqueeze-me-so!"s she exclaimed. II
cannot hold back-the tears. am SO
unhappy. II could die quickly-now."
LET us go out Oh the porch"
mo. no! We must remain In my
fathers sight. Will you take me to
my seat?"
mo. 1 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 1t all out and
everything Is in readiness. I have q
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. 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. II
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 It until
your father Is elected president"
"Senor, one cannot be married In q
moment I am Catholic-the banns"-
Eve thought of all that, but a 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. ana nobody will
know. They tricked you. Chiquita.
dear; can't explain, but 1t wasn't all
politics.; by any means. oh. girl! Don't
you understand; love you-love you!
It's our only chance" The words were
tumbling from his lips incoherently:
he was pleading as II for his life. while
she chung to him to support herself.
Through 1t all their feet moved rhyth-
mically. 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.
"NIother Of God!" she exclaimed
family. "Is it that l am dreaming2"
.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 ago1 You kissed me
then. and-I-I-can't live without you.
Well go away together, you and /.
through all the world-1ust we two"
She gave hysterical, choking sob
that was half sigh. Then her eyes
flashed upward to his-they were wide
and bright and shining-her lips were
parted, her body was 1.-THE and full Of
life. She slipped from his embrace.
whispering:
Eyes, yes! Quickly. senor!" And
the next instant they were out upon
tho wide gallery with the dance be-
hind them. "Hurree. hurree. or they
will fOllOw!"
Together they fed along the north
wing Of the hotel. The girl was pant
ing. with one hand held to her bare
throat. But she ran like fawn.
"Herew He swung her around the
corner and raped sharply at door.
"Quickly! Quickly!' she moaned
'I'or the love or
With terrific force the door was fair.
~ jerked from its hinges and slammed
to behind them. The next moment
Allan's big body was leaning against
It. as II the wall were about to fall In.
ward upon him. Runnels leaped for.
ward with an exclamation: his wife
stood staring. her face az white al
snow. With them was the genial gray
haired fudge from Colon. whom Kirt