Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-01-24

forward, with Chiquita's name upoI
his lips and his arms outstretched. She
drew away.
mo, no, senorw she cried. 81 SEN
for you because there was no othel
way, that is all. My father would moi
let you come to the house. You viii
not think me bold?"
"Of course not"
81 could not let you go until you
knew the truth. You do not-believe
it was my fault?'
"I don't know what to believe, be
cause 1 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, 1 feared you would say those
very words, but you must do it, just
the same. 1t will be hard for us both,
L know, but She choked and shook
her head as the words refused to come
Tell me first why I must give you
up?"
Because in spite of all am to mar
~ Ramon" Gertrudis said wretchedly.
"Who said so?'
@~%N
to think of you and ordered that
marry Ramon. Sick or well, living OF
dead, must marry him."
I'm hanged if you dor
at is those miserable politics again.
If do not obey, my father cannot be
president, do you see? Senior Alfarez
is terribly angry that l refused to
marry his son, to whom since 1 was a
little child 1 have been engaged
Ramon also is furious; he threatened
to kill himself So it comes to this
then. If 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 VIII
be defeated. Perhaps he will be hum
bled"
at won't stand for 1t. They're max
ing you a sacrifice, that's all. What
kind of a father is it who would sell
his daughter
mo, 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 am too young to know
my own mind, and-perhaps that is
true, Senior Antonio; perhaps shall
soon forget you and learn to love
Ramon as he loves me. 1 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 lyingr declared Stephanie.
suddenly.
The girl burst into a perfect torrent
of weeping that slammed 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. 81 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.
I cannot lie.'
Her breath Intoxicated him, ani he
bent his head to kiss her. but Ste
phanie tore her roughly from his arms.
The woman showed the strength of
man. and her vulture-like face was
working Gercely as she cried:
mo! She is mine. She is mine, She
is a good girl
"Oh, I am wicked" Gertrudis said
81 love you. Keerk-yes. l love you
very dearly. but my father-he re-
fuses-I must obey-he has the right,
and I must do as he wishes"
"Come with me now. Well be mar
ried tonight" he urged, but she only
chung to Stephanie more closely. Is If
to hold herself from falling.
"You are very sweet 10 me-" she
said. with plteous tenderness, and
shall never forget the honor. but you
see cannot. This is more to my ia
Their than his life. 1t is the same to
all our family, and must do my
duty. / could not let you so away
this was my doing, SO l sent
for you. No. one must obey ones
people. for they are wise--and good.
But one should be honest"
The tears were stealing down her
checks. and she thrilled 10 his plead
Inss a. 70 some wondrous pustASet